If you have diabetes, there are some handy kitchen tools you can use to help you prepare healthy meals. Read on to learn more about 7 kitchen tools for people with diabetes.
1. Sharp knives
A few good-quality knives can make your meal preparation healthier and easier. A larger knife for cutting meat and trimming fat is very useful, as is a smaller knife for peeling and chopping vegetables and fruit. Be sure to hone them when needed, so they remain nice and sharp.
2. Vegetable steamer
Steamed vegetables are the healthiest way to enjoy produce without adding extra calories and fat. You can purchase a metal steamer for stovetop use or a silicone vegetable steamer for use in the microwave. Steamers are ideal because they won’t cause your vegetables to get soggy, which can happen easily when you boil them in water.
3. Non-stick skillets
Pan-searing or pan-frying food is a quick and easy method of meal preparation, especially for meat. Investing in a few different sizes of non-stick pans is a great way to sauté food, as they require much less oil – if any – to keep food from sticking to their surface than cast-iron or stainless-steel pans. Another bonus is that cleaning a non-stick pan is far easier than cleaning a metal one!
4. Spice rack
Instead of using salt to flavour dishes, get creative with herbs and spices to enhance flavours instead. Parsley, basil, oregano, rosemary and dill are all rich in flavour and will spice up any main or side dish. The same goes for sugar: if you’re making a dessert, think of replacing it with cinnamon, cloves or nutmeg. All of these flavours pack a real punch!
5. Slow cooker or instant pot
Cooking at home gives you the opportunity to prepare healthy, diabetes-friendly meals, but you don’t always have the time to cook when you finish work for the day. This is why a programmable slow cooker or instant pot is a great addition to your kitchen. You can assemble a healthy stew, chili or soup in the morning and it will be done whenever you’re ready for supper.
6. Food scale
You can eliminate guesswork with respect to the correct portion size of meats or other foods by investing in a kitchen food scale. This way you can measure exactly the food portion that’s right for your dietary needs. Some newer digital scales also provide nutritional information for many foods, which can help you track carbohydrate, fat and calories.
7. Blender
A blender is an essential kitchen tool for people with diabetes as it allows for the quick preparation of nutrient-packed smoothies, soups, and sauces using fresh, whole ingredients. It helps incorporate more fruits, vegetables, and fibre into the diet, which can aid in maintaining steady blood sugar levels. Blenders also make it easy to prepare healthy snacks and meal replacements, reducing reliance on processed foods.
Bonus Tools
Oil mister
An oil mister works like a spray bottle, but releases a very fine mist of oil. Most models are made of glass, with a plastic pump fitting on top. An oil mister is a great tool for adding oil sparingly to a pot or skillet, or directly onto food, instead of pouring it from a large bottle. This way, you can better control the flow, which means that you are adding fewer calories and fat to your meal. Try getting an assortment of misters to fill with various cooking oils, such as olive, canola or avocado.
Spiralizer
A spiralizer is a valuable kitchen tool because it enables the creation of low-carbohydrate alternatives to pasta and noodles using vegetables like zucchini, carrots, or sweet potatoes. These veggie spirals are not only lower in carbs but also high in fibre, which helps stabilize blood sugar levels. Spiralizers make meal preparation quick and visually appealing, encouraging healthier eating habits. Eager to try a spiralizer? Check out this delicious Baked Salmon Trout with Zucchini Noodles and Asparagus.
These kitchen tools can provide numerous ways to help you prepare healthy foods, cut calories and fat, and check portion control. Make sure your kitchen is well-stocked with them!
