10 gadgets you need in your kitchen for a healthier 2016

Most of us know which foods to avoid and which foods to keep on hand when trying to lose weight or maintain a healthier lifestyle. But what about the kitchen gadgets we should have on hand to support our healthy aspirations? Buying the right tools can be daunting with the surplus of options available through popular stores such as Bed Bath & Beyond, William Sonoma and Target so here is a list of my 10 favorite kitchen tools to have in your drawers for a healthier 2016!

Trio-Tri Blade Peeler: This versatile peeler can take on anything from thin-skinned carrots to the toughest produce like the bumpy peel of an avocado! The convenience factor of this peeler is remarkable, as each blade (there are 3-in-1) can be used for multiple cooking preparations. I typically use the soft blade to peel fruit such as pears or peaches and the firm blade to grab and peel the skins of cucumbers or sweet potatoes! The julienne blade is my go-to when preparing an Asian slaw or making roasted shoestring sweet potatoes as a salad topper.

Flex-it Measuring Cups: I have owned these for several months now and I recommend them to anyone who comes into my kitchen. Unlike most measuring cups, this product is made of non-breakable, microwavable, and heat-resist material (think melting perfectly portioned chocolate, sauces or cheese). The soft sides of the cups are useful in creating a narrow pouring spout making them almost spill-proof. The cups come in three differing measurements, 1-cup, 2-cup and 4-cup sizes. I enjoy using the 4-cup measurement for the extra height, which makes it easy to mix ingredients or handle the cup without spilling.

Digital Kitchen Scale: I use this tool at least two or three times a week to help me accurately measure my meats (tofu, too!) and starches (such as sweet potatoes) when batch cooking. A lot of my client meal plans are centered on portion control (not calories) so this is definitely a useful tool to put on your wish list if you are thinking of working with a dietitian.

BluApple: This kitchen gadget prolongs produce freshness up to three times longer by absorbing ethylene gas in your refrigerator that's responsible for rotting produce such as apples, berries, spring mix, etc. This may sound like an unnecessary contraption but these small "blu" apple-shaped containers will save you from wasting another $5 on a container of blueberries week after week. A 2-pack from Bed Bath & Beyond is only $9.99.

Blender: Blenders exist to make our lives easier; they save time, mess and clean up. What cook wouldn't want this machine in their kitchen? My best recommendation is to make a long-term investment in a high-quality blender. A good, high-speed version like a Vitamix will be worth the money once you discover what these incredible machines can do. You can make soup from raw vegetables in minutes, whip up nut and seed butters in seconds or perfect the consistency of a smoothie with fibrous fruits, seeds and leafy greens.

StemGem: I initially bought this petite and colorful tool to brighten up my kitchen drawer but it ended up being quite the little "gem". I use the StemGem to save me time when prepping strawberries for my smoothies. All I have to do is simply insert the tool into a strawberry, twist, and the stainless steel claw will remove the stem and the leaves instantly; no more wasting half of my strawberries when slicing the stems off myself!

Prepara Oil Mister: I tend to have a heavy hand when using olive oil or coconut oils to roast my vegetables so I use this tool almost every night to help me cut down on excess fat and calories. Additionally, this tool has been very useful as a recommendation to my clients who enjoy a little TOO MUCH salad dressing. This relatively cheap device is also handy when prepping a grill, roasting pan or griddle by spraying an even layer of oil on the surface.

Jamie Oliver Flavour Shaker: Do you enjoy cooking with fresh spices, herbs or garlic but find it a pain to do all the required chopping to prepare them? If so, then this gadget is made for you! This shaker is designed to crush, mix and release bursting flavors and aromas from whole spices, herbs, garlic, citrus rinds and even nuts! In just four simple steps, you can transform the flavor of you favorite home-cooked dishes and salads.

Salad Dressing Emulsifier: The Chef'n Emulstir, Emulsifier and Salad Dressing Mixer is a staple in my kitchen. I try to stay away from excess sodium and added sugar in my diet and considering most commercial dressings have more than 5 grams of sugar and at least 250mg of sodium in just one serving, that means I have to make my own. Using this emulsifier is quite simple; just add your oil base, favorite herbs or spices and squeeze the handle to blend ingredients together. In less than five minutes, you'll have yourself a perfectly flavorful dressing without preservatives, added sugars or ingredients you can not pronounce.

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Read more Goal Getter for healthy eating, weight loss and more.