5 Kitchen Appliances That Can Help You Diversify Your Diet

If you're like me, then you might find yourself resorting to the same old recipes for nearly every meal. We tend to stick to the foods we're comfortable making, but that isn't always the best choice for our bodies. A person's diet should be diverse and well-balanced.

A diverse diet is one that incorporates multiple items from all of the major food groups over a certain period of time. While recent studies have come out suggesting that a fully diversified diet might not be the healthiest type, nutritionists still agree that a diet needs plenty of fruits and vegetables, which not everyone is getting. 

It can be daunting trying to incorporate unfamiliar foods into a diet, but adding new gadgets to your kitchen can help give you the motivation you need to try something different. We all have the basic appliances in our kitchens — a stove, an oven, a microwave, etc. Other types of appliances can make it easier to add fruits, veggies, and healthy grains into meal plans. There are many to choose from, but these are the ones I have in my kitchen that have transformed my eating habits.

1. Blender

This might seem like a kitchen basic, but a surprising amount of people don't own a blender. The bulkier models are quite expensive, but smaller single-serve alternatives like the NutriNinja will run you around $60. Smaller units are perfect for kitchens with limited space, but it might be worth the splurge for a larger model if you're looking to make bigger servings.

An immediate benefit of buying my blender was being able to add more fruit to my diet with smoothies. Although they can be high in sugar, when prepared with the right ingredients smoothies can account for a hefty portion of your fruit, fiber, and even protein intake.

2. Air Fryer

My air fryer is by far my favorite kitchen appliance. I've prepared countless dishes with it and I've only had it for a couple of months. Not only does its design cut the amount of oil required in half, but it cooks things more evenly than a conventional oven does.

 Adding an air fryer to my kitchen encouraged me to try out new recipes. Putting things in my larger oven was always intimidating to me, and my food never seemed to come out correct. The smaller air fryer makes me feel like I have more control over my dish, and the frying drawer is just big enough for one or two servings. It has many different functions that can aid in diversifying your diet — it dehydrates fruit, cooks frozen veggies, fried fish, and so much more. 

3. Countertop Grill

Depending on where you live, you might not have the liberty of grilling outside. This is where countertop grills come in handy. My ex-roommate gifted me with a George Foreman grill before I moved out, and it has been a lifesaver.

Certain grills can be used to make a variety of different food items, such as turkey burgers, paninis, and more. Personally, I love grilled asparagus and would like to add more of it into my diet, but my current apartment's grill is old and crusted over. Luckily, the countertop grills can handle almost anything a regular grill can, and recently I was able to cook it to perfection with other protein items. 

4. CrockPot / Rice Cooker

If you're looking to add more grains to your diet, a rice cooker or CrockPot is a must-have. I bought this small red unit for my dorm years ago in college, and I've used it for so many things. Like air fryers, Crock Pots can cook almost anything. However, they are slow cookers, so be prepared to wait a while!

I've used my CrockPot to experiment with different stews and soups. These are quick dishes that incorporate a variety of different vegetables — perfect for diet diversification. Additionally, it can be used to cook meats to juicy perfection, and to make fluffy, flawless rice dishes.

5. Juicer

Juicers have been all the rage in the healthy-eating community for years now. I can't even count how many times I've heard, "You can juice anything." I tested this theory and can confirm, you can pretty much juice anything (results may vary). When used in the traditional sense, juicers are perfect for those who prefer to get their fruits and veggies in liquid form.

I've always been the type of person who runs to fruit juices or vegetable blends for my recommended daily values. I'm very picky about what I eat and the texture of certain foods does not agree with me.

However, I know the juices I buy from the store are packed with hidden sugars. It's always better to make things at home where you can control what goes into it. My juicer has allowed me to make my own juice blends and experiment with the tastes of different fruits and vegetables I normally wouldn't try.

It isn't absolutely necessary to buy new products just to experiment in the kitchen. With the right amount of research and practice, you can incorporate healthier choices into your meals the old fashioned way. However, new appliances can often inspire new ideas for potential meals.

If you do need the extra push, these appliances often come with small recipe books that start you off in the right direction. I think it's beneficial to start small and make new creations in smaller doses, and then graduate to making larger batches on the larger appliances. Whatever you prefer, it's undeniable that these appliances can help you begin your food diversification journey.