7 Gadgets to Up Your Vegetable & Fruit Game
Having the right equipment on hand can help you eat more vegetables and fruits. Here, we look at some fun and time-saving tools and gadgets that will help you prepare delicious plant-based meals and keep your diet on track.
Vegetables and fruits are an important part of a healthy diet. Not only has a high intake of vegetables and fruit been linked to a lower risk of a wide range of diseases, it has also been shown to promote overall longevity. Indeed, a study published in the BMJ suggests that if you are eating fewer than 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day, each additional serving you incorporate into your daily diet will reduce your risk of dying prematurely by 5 percent (1).
Yet, despite everything that is known about the health benefits of vegetables and fruit, most Americans are still not eating enough fresh produce. According to a report by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 9 percent of Americans are eating the recommended amount of vegetables, and 13 percent the recommended amount of fruit (2). And, Canadians are not doing much better: a 2016 study reports that only 11 percent of men and 20 percent of women in Canada eat adequate amounts of vegetables and fruit (3). According to the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, adults should eat around 2 to 3 cups of vegetables and 1½ to 2 cups of fruit daily (4).
Having the right fruit and vegetable tools and gadgets in your kitchen can make healthy meal prep a breeze and keep your diet on track. In this section of HealWithFood.org's Guide to a Healthy Kitchen, we review and kitchen tools and gadgets that can help you incorporate a rainbow of vegetables and fruit into your diet.
Vegetable Spiralizers
Spiralizers are popular among foodies and health-conscious home cooks, and for good reason: these vegetable "pasta" makers turn vegetables like zucchini and carrots into attractive grain-free "noodles". These veggie noodles can be used as a healthy substitute for real pasta, but they are also a great ingredient for salads, soups, stir-fries and more. In this section, you'll find tips, advice and tons of links to spiralizer reviews and comparisons.
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Blenders for Smoothies & Soups
Blenders are definitely one of the most useful gadgets you can have in your kitchen if you want to eat healthy but have little time to cook. Slurping down a homemade smoothie made with whole food ingredients is a great way to start a day, and it only takes a few of minutes to throw everything into the blender and blend it up. Some blenders come with a heating element, so you can also use them to make hot vegetable soups. In this section, you'll find tips on how to pick the right blender for your kitchen. Read More
Fruit & Vegetable Juicers
When it comes to machines that turn fruit and vegetables into healthy drinks, blenders are generally considered the best choice because they use whole foods, which means you'll also get the health-boosting fiber. However, if you have enough countertop and storage space to accommodate more small kitchen appliances, you might want to consider getting a juicer as well. In this section, you'll learn how to pick a juicer that best suits your needs. Read More
Indoor Garden Kits
Do you love the idea of growing your own vegetables but don't have a backyard where you could create a kitchen garden? Not to worry—there are tons of indoor kitchen garden kits that allow you to set up a mini-sized kitchen garden right in your kitchen or living room. This section provides information about different types of indoor garden kits so you can pick one that best fits your size requirements and budget. Read More
Slicers & Dicers
High-quality vegetable and fruit slicers and dicers help you prepare healthy meals from scratch with minimal effort. In this section, you'll find information about the different types of slicers and dicers available on the market so you can make an informed decision when shopping for a slicer or dicer for your kitchen. Read More
Frozen Fruit Dessert Makers
If you think desserts can't be healthy, think again! Frozen fruit dessert makers allow you to whip up guilt-free desserts that are packed with vitamins and other health-promoting compounds. These ingenious gadgets work their magic by squashing frozen bananas and other fruits into smooth, 100% fruit-based mock ice cream that tastes and feels just like real soft serve or sorbet. Read More
Food Processors for Cauli-Rice
In case you missed the memo, cauliflower rice (or cauli-rice) is a popular, veg-based alternative to regular white rice. Popular among Paleo folks and low-carb dieters, cauliflower rice is avaiable in many grocery stores, but you can also make it from scratch at home. All you need is some fresh cauliflower and a food processor equipped with blades that can turn cauliflower florets into rice-like granules. Read More
