Kitchen equipment that help with dieting

duddysdad wrote: »

Get a digital scale and learn to use it. That will be the single most important tool you can buy.

This

And really, anything you will actually use. Gadgets are just that, gadgets and won't make you a brilliant cook (or even a good cook) overnight since you still have to use them and you still have to be mindful of the ingredients you use.

Edited to add: I love to cook and barely have anything in my kitchen (basic pots and pans and dishes. Anything else is optional)

The most valuable thing you can buy is most definately the scale!

Personally I often use an electric grill with greaseproof paper. I grill almost everything I eat (vegetables, mushrooms, meat, even omelets!)

My most used kitchen equipment:
- Digital kitchen scale (essential)
- Measuring cups and spoons (for liquids)
- Julienne slicer- to make courgette/ carrot ‘spaghetti’ (better than a spiraliser imo)
- Big cast iron pot with lid (for soup/ stew/ casserole)
- Heavy roasting tin (for roasted vegetables)
- French peeler (for peeling veg)
- Cast iron sauce pan (for porridge & heating soups)
- Cast iron frying pan (for omelettes)
- Grater (for grating carrots and apples)
- Chopping knives, paring knives etc.
- Wok (not for stir frying- but for mixing steamed veg with a sauce –like pesto)
- Lots of glass jars for storage (I don’t like plastic). I keep jars from pickles , ready-made pesto etc.- I don’t always buy expensive kilner/ mason jars
- A few silicone baking trays for making crustless quiches
- Microwave egg poacher. (I tried a ‘poach pod’ but it took too long). I’m used to rubbery microwave eggs now!
- Steamer- I have a stove top one and a microwave one. Not sure I’d use an electronic one.
I do have a crock pot, a mixer and a nutribullet but don’t use them much. I’d like a food processor – but not sure id use it.
My meals tend to revolve around roasted veg, salads, soups, stews, casseroles, fruit, yoghurt, roasted meat and omelettes. (I don’t eat pasta, rice, potatos etc. – bread only minimally- for preference. I prefer crunchy carbs to soggy carbs. I don’t bake- unless forced to)

Digital scale, as everyone has already mentioned

I also love mason jars for storing leftovers in individual portions to last the week. The glass keeps the food fresher so I'm not as turned off by leftovers as I had been previously, but that's just me.

I also have a ninja food processor/blender that I got at Walmart for maybe $20... Loved it so much I upgraded to the larger one for around $40 I think? I use it almost every day... Cauliflower rice, nicecream, sauces, etc.

I also have a Palerno spiralizer to make spiraled veggie "pasta"

Lastly, a good knife set is worth the splurge

JaydedMiss wrote: »

What do you all use the kitchen scales for? I dont eat meat if thats its main use

If you're going for weightloss, a digital scale is priceless. It accurately weighs all food so you can log it into MFP.

Glad you're on board with the food scale.

I'm a reasonably good cook. I mostly just use a cutting board/knife, bowls, and a few pots and pans. I have some gadgets, but rarely use them. A spiralizer seemed nifty and I think I've used it twice. A mandoline is more generally useful.

The only two spendy appliances I have are an Artisan stand mixer and a Vitamix blender. I don't use them daily (though the blender is getting good use ATM), but they are awesome to have when you need them. The mixer really only gets a workout around holidays. I like to bake, but need a good excuse to give away most of it since we are only a family of three.

JaydedMiss wrote: »

What do you all use the kitchen scales for? I dont eat meat if thats its main use

Use it for everything... literally. Protein powder, meat, fruit, veggies, snacks, milk, eggs etc etc..

Food scale
Mandolin slicer (along with slicing gloves; VERY important)
George Foreman Grill - In about 20 minutes you can grill a serving of meat and a serving of veggies. Quick and easy.
Hand wand type blender - I use this when I'm adding stuff to protein such as peanut butter or blueberries.

A scale is all you need.

I'd second the scale - you want to accurately measure your food, if you're counting calories, and going by weight is more accurate than volume.

After that - good knives and a cutting board. Learn to take care of them, and they'll take care of you. Just need the basics - a chef's knife that fits your hand, a paring knife for peeling and detail work. Keep them sharp and clean, and learn to use them safely and efficiently. This will make food prep a lot more fun and easy.

Finally, some bento boxes, or anything similar that you can safely freeze and reheat pre-made meals. I got a stack of 25 for about 8 bucks, a few years back, and still use them. I cook up a week or two worth of meals, with a little variety, and know that i have healthy, portioned, tasty meals ready for lunch at work or dinner.

Scale of course. I like my handheld immersion blender too. And I use a crockpot frequently. Seems like I have bones in there almost all the time.

My smart phone is what made me a good and adventurous cook when I was starting out. Random fish on sale? Google a recipe. Never opened up a pomegranate? YouTube. Safe temp for salmon? Nutrition and taste comparison for different lentil varieties? Yup...it's all there. You don't even need a cookbook.

kommodevaran wrote: »

Most equipment that makes cooking easier will automatically make dieting easier:

It can be argued the other way though. Too easy cooking, good foods to boost, too easy eating.

The best equipment in hindsight to me for weight loss is a small fridge. Just stack it with sandwich, wrap ingredients and the likes. Wt loss is all about tuning out of eating. Most people want to continue to eat well while losing because they want the best of both worlds which a lot of time can be a big struggle.

Digital scale is the only must.

I really like my digital meat thermometer. No dry chicken! Perfect medium rare steak!