Dietitian's Top Kitchen Picks

When it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, having the right tools and products on hand can make all the difference. As a dietitian, I often get asked about my go-to essentials that support balanced nutrition and overall well-being. In this post, I’m excited to share some of my favorite products that not only make healthy eating easier but also help you stay on track with your wellness goals. From kitchen gadgets that simplify meal prep to convenience foods that support your daily needs, these are the items I personally recommend—and you can conveniently find them all on Amazon!

(Note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you.)

Alana's top kitchen tools:

Food Scale

‍There are two ways to measure portion sizes (before you learn how to eye-ball them)... measuring cups or a food scale. Using a food scale is hands down the easiest way to measure when you are preparing your food at home. You can place your plate on the scale, “zero” it out, and then add your food items one by one.  You can now accurately log your food (using a service like MyFitnessPal or ​​Nutritionix (available free to all VidaEats clients). Not only are food scales useful for portion control, but they help ensure accurate measurements in recipes. Exact measurements are important in baking, as too much or too little of an ingredient can throw off the taste, baking time, and how well the food rises.  

This food scale is affordable, durable, and gets the job done with no distracting extras.

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Immersion Blender

‍If you like pureed soups, this blender is a game changer.  You can use a regular blender to puree soups, but you have to wait until the soup cools to safely do so. With an immersion blender, not only do you dirty one less item, but you can blend right away (no cooling necessary).  Pureed soups are a great, tasty way to add vegetables into your diet and with cooler months approaching a perfect addition to your weekly meal plan.

This Mueller Immersion Blender has some extras that could be useful for your kitchen.

This Amazon Immersion Blender is a more economical option that is great if you only want the immersion blender function.

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Meal Prep Containers

Staying organized with meal prepping can prevent impulsive food choices and support portion control. BPA-free, microwave-safe containers are essential for easy storage and reheating. Brands like Prep Naturals or Rubbermaid Brilliance offer durable options.

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Slow Cookers‍

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Slow cookers are an excellent addition to any kitchen for preparing nutritious, home-cooked meals with minimal effort. They're perfect for soups, stews, and lean protein dishes. Popular brands like Crock-Pot or Instant Pot offer versatile and durable options for busy lifestyles.

The Instant Pot has additional features that you may find well worth the extra cost. Besides being a slow cooker, it is also a pressure cooker and rice cooker. It also has a steamer and sauté function. Have you ever forgotten to defrost meat for dinner? Pop it in your Instant Pot and pressure cook it! Your dinner will be ready in no time--just make sure to find a recipe that has appropriate instructions for pressure cooking from frozen.

This large slow cooker has a locking lid; perfect for bringing a dish to a potluck!

If you are low on space, this small Crock-Pot is a great option for small kitchens or making smaller servings.

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Wooden Cooking Utensils

Ditch your old, partial melted plastic cooking utensils and opt for high quality wooden cooking utensils. Wooden cooking utensils are gentle on cookware and durable for everyday use. They’re perfect for stirring, mixing, and serving a variety of dishes. Look for high-quality sets from brands like OXO or Totally Bamboo to complement your kitchen essentials. Avoid putting these in the dishwasher to extend their life.  Wash with hot, soapy water.

This set offers a great variety for a good price.

Totally Bamboo has fun patterns to add some color to your kitchen, such as this Mykonos inspired wooden spoon.

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Bamboo Cutting Board

There are a wide variety of cutting boards for sale, including those made of plastic, wood, bamboo, stone and even glass. Each material has its pros and cons. Alana prefers bamboo because they are eco-friendly, naturally resistant to bacteria and less porous than wood (therefore, more food safe). It is still recommended to cut raw meat on a plastic cutting board because these can be put in the dishwasher and washed on high heat. Bamboo can be harder on your knives, so it is a good idea to sharpen them occasionally with a knife sharpener to keep them working well. Dull knives can lead to injuries, and make chopping foods more time consuming.

This bamboo cutting board is perfect to keep on your kitchen counter to slice a piece of fruit or vegetable for a quick snack. It is also a high quality brand.

Here is an affordable option that is larger, great for preparing dinner.

This plastic cutting board is great to have on hand and designate for cutting raw meat only.

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Why Product Recommendations Matter

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At VidaEats Nutrition, we believe in making nutrition as simple and accessible as possible. The right products are tools to support your goals, reduce stress around meal planning, and help you build sustainable habits.

Remember, every individual has unique needs, and our dietitians are here to guide you in selecting the products best suited for your health journey.

Need personalized recommendations? Book a session with one of our expert dietitians today!

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