Dietitian Picks: Holiday Gifts for Healthy Cooking

An air fryer gives you crispy, golden results with a fraction of the oil, which is why it's one of the first appliances I suggest to people who love fried food. These are my favorites, plus the accessories that make cleanup easy:

• Cosori Iconic Stainless Steel Air Fryer, 6.5 Qt – A roomy basket with a ceramic coating that wipes clean easily. It's big enough to cook dinner for the whole family.
• Ninja Crispi Pro Glass Air Fryer – I love being able to watch my food cook through the glass, and the containers double as storage for leftovers.
• Ninja Double Stack XL Countertop Oven – Two cooking zones let you roast salmon on one level and vegetables on the other, so the whole meal is ready at once.
• Chefman Crispinator Air Fryer, 8 Qt – The extra-large capacity is a great fit for batch cooking on meal prep day.
• bella Slim 4 Qt Air Fryer – Its slim shape fits small kitchens, and it's just the right size for 1 or 2 people.
• Cuisinart 6-Quart Air Fryer – A simple, reliable basket air fryer that's easy for beginners to learn.
• BUEDM Olive Oil Sprayer – A light mist of olive oil is all you need for crispy vegetables, and this sprayer lets you control exactly how much you use. I use it for sheet pans and casserole dishes, too.
• ThermoMonster Instant Read Meat Thermometer – It takes the guesswork out of knowing when chicken, pork, or fish is done, so you don't end up overcooking lean proteins.
• Bnlcd Silicone Kitchen Tongs, 3-Pack – Silicone tips grip food without scratching the nonstick coating in your basket.
• Disposable Parchment Air Fryer Liners – These make cleanup almost effortless on busy nights.
• PINTAUR Square Silicone Air Fryer Liners – A reusable option if you'd rather cut down on waste.

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A toaster oven heats up faster than a full-size oven, so it's perfect for small batches, roasted vegetables for one or two, and reheating leftovers so they taste fresh:

• Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven – It toasts, bakes, and air fries in one appliance, which saves a lot of counter space.
• Our Place Wonder Oven – A compact 6-in-1 oven that air fries and toasts, and it looks nice enough to leave out on the counter.
• Ninja French Door Premier Air Fry Oven – The French doors make it easy to slide pans in and out, and there's room for family-size meals.
• BLACK+DECKER Toaster Oven – A simple, affordable choice if you mostly want to toast, bake, and reheat.
• Nuwave Bravo Pro Convection Air Fryer Toaster Oven – Convection cooking helps vegetables and proteins brown evenly with very little oil.
• HotKing Dual-Zone Air Fryer Toaster Oven – Two zones let you cook two different foods at the same time.
• Ecolution Non-Stick Toaster Oven Bakeware Set – Pans sized to fit a toaster oven, so you aren't stuck trying to squeeze in a full-size sheet pan.
• Small Disposable Toaster Oven Broiler Pans, 25-Pack and Fig & Leaf Quarter-Size Baking Sheets, 25-Pack – Handy for roasting a small batch of vegetables with no scrubbing afterward.
• Norpro Oven Rack Push Pull Tool – It keeps your fingers away from hot racks, which matters a lot in a small oven.
• DUJEN Bamboo Toast Tongs – For pulling out whole grain toast without burning your fingertips.
• Cosamtec Silicone Mini Oven Mitts – Small enough to be easy to grab, and I use them with my slow cooker, too.

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A pressure cooker makes dried beans, whole grains, and hearty stews fast enough for a weeknight. These are the multicookers and accessories I use most:

• Cosori 6 Qt Pressure Cooker, 9-in-1 – A versatile multicooker with a ceramic-coated pot that's easy to clean.
• Our Place Dream Cooker, 6 Qt – It pressure cooks and slow cooks in a ceramic nonstick pot, so one appliance covers both styles of cooking.
• MIRUMIO Silicone Lid for Instant Pot – It turns the inner pot into a storage container, so leftovers can go straight into the fridge.
• HOSIMAY Steamer Rack and Trivet Set and AOZITA Steamer Basket – Steaming is one of my favorite ways to cook vegetables because it helps them hold on to more of their water-soluble vitamins than boiling does. These are also great for hard-cooked eggs.
• VITEVER Silicone Spoonulas, 3-Pack – Part spoon and part spatula, so you can stir and scrape the pot with one tool.
• KITCHEN PERFECTION Silicone Oven Gloves and SOLEADER Hot Plate Gripper – For safely lifting a hot inner pot or steamer insert.

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Few things make healthy eating easier than coming home to a pot of soup, chili, or lean protein that's ready to eat. Here's what I use for low-and-slow cooking:

• Crock-Pot 7-Quart Manual Slow Cooker – A classic that's big enough for a family-size batch of soup or chili with plenty left for lunches.
• Ninja PossibleCooker PLUS, 8.5 Qt – You can brown meat and onions right in the pot before slow cooking, which means one less pan to wash.
• Crock-Pot Design Series 7-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker – The programmable timer is a big help on days when you're out of the house longer than expected.
• INDY VAC 6 Quart Claypot Slow Cooker – A clay pot multicooker for anyone who loves the idea of traditional slow cooking.
• bella 1.5 Qt Slow Cooker – A small size that's perfect for steel-cut oats, a party dip, or cooking for one.
• RFSCDI Silicone Cooking Utensils Set and Ziruma Platinum Silicone Utensils – Silicone won't scratch your crock, and it holds up well to heat.
• Goldlion Silicone Soup Ladle – Makes portioning soups and stews neat and easy.
• CLTIKACK Upright Ceramic Spoon Rest and AUOON Silicone Utensil Rest with Lid Holder – A clean place to set your ladle and lid while you serve.
• TAYDOIBAN Silicone Slow Cooker Liners – Reusable liners that make cleanup much easier.

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Good pots and pans are an investment, but they're the pieces you'll use almost every day. A pan that heats evenly and releases food easily lets you sauté with much less oil:

• Mueller Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven in 6 Qt and 4.5 Qt – My go-to for soups, stews, and braised beans. Enameled cast iron holds heat beautifully and goes from stove top to oven.
• SUNOUTLY Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven in 6 Qt and 4.5 Qt – Another great option at a friendly price.
• Our Place Always Pan 2.0 – A ceramic nonstick pan that handles everything from sautéed greens to a quick stir-fry.
• Our Place Mini Perfect Pot and Mini Griddle Pan – Smaller sizes for oatmeal, a single serving of soup, or a couple of eggs.
• Caraway Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan – Eggs and fish slide right out with just a little oil.
• Caraway 3 Qt Stainless Steel Saucepan and 4.5 Qt Stainless Steel Sauté Pan – Sturdy stainless pieces for whole grains, sauces, and one-pan dinners.
• Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless 2-Quart Saucepan – An affordable saucepan I'd recommend to anyone setting up a first kitchen.
• Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet Set – Three sizes of a true kitchen classic. A well-seasoned skillet needs very little oil.
• Cuisinart Chef's Classic Enameled Cast Iron – Enameled cast iron that doesn't need seasoning, which makes it easy to care for.
• CARON & DOUCET Cast Iron Care Set and Lodge Silicone Hot Handle Holder – Keep your cast iron seasoned and your hands protected.
• Duxtop Portable Induction Cooktop – A great extra burner for small kitchens, dorm rooms, or holiday cooking when the stove is full.
• Riveira Bamboo Wooden Spoons, 6-Piece and Caraway Mini Wooden Utensils Set – Wooden spoons are gentle on nonstick and ceramic pans.
• Homquen Spoon Rest and CLTIKACK Spoon Rest – They keep your stove top clean while you cook.

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A smoothie is one of the easiest ways to fit fruit, greens, and protein into a busy morning. A good blender makes all the difference in getting it smooth:

• Vitamix 5200 Professional-Grade Blender – The workhorse. It handles frozen fruit, leafy greens, and nut butters with no trouble.
• Ninja Kitchen System Pro – A powerful, more affordable option with a large pitcher for family-size batches.
• Ninja Fit Compact Personal Blender – Blend right in the cup and take it with you.
• Beast Mega 1200 Blender – A sleek stainless steel blender that looks great on the counter.
• Tronco 20 oz Glass Tumblers with Lids and Straws – Perfect for smoothies on the go.
• Elk and Friends 8 oz Glass Mason Jars – Kid-size jars for little smoothie fans.
• Vinaco Wide Stainless Steel Straws and Softy Straws Wide Silicone Straws – Wide straws handle thick smoothies, and they're reusable.

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Getting enough protein helps you feel full and supports your muscles, and it's easier when your pantry is stocked with convenient options. These are the staples and snacks I keep on hand:

• Truvani Organic Plant Based Protein Powder – A plant-based option for smoothies and oatmeal.
• WICKED Clear Whey Isolate Protein Powder and Levels Whey Protein Powder – Easy ways to add protein to a smoothie or post-workout drink.
• STANLEY Vitalize Shaker Bottle, VELOMIX Stainless Steel Shaker Bottle, and BlenderBottle Classic – For mixing protein shakes with no clumps.
• PBfit Peanut Butter Powder – Peanut butter flavor with less fat, great stirred into oatmeal or yogurt.
• BBF Organic Chia Seeds – A little protein plus fiber and omega-3s for puddings, smoothies, and overnight oats.
• Bragg Nutritional Yeast – Adds a cheesy, savory flavor to popcorn, pasta, and roasted vegetables.
• Brodo Bone Broth Variety Pack and Bare Bones Instant Bone Broth – A warm, savory way to add protein to a snack or soup base. If you watch your sodium, check the label.
• BodyHealth PerfectAmino Powder – An amino acid supplement some active people like. As with any supplement, check with your doctor or dietitian first.
• SkinnyDipped Snack Attack Minis and Roastery Coast Mixed Nuts Variety Pack – Pre-portioned nut packs make it easy to keep snack sizes reasonable.
• The Only Bean Dry Roasted Edamame and Biena Roasted Chickpeas – Crunchy, plant-based snacks with protein and fiber.
• Ready-to-drink protein shakes from Muscle Milk, Slate Milk, and David – Grab-and-go protein for busy mornings.
• Quest Nutrition Peanut Butter Cups – A treat with 11 grams of protein and 1 gram of sugar when you want something sweet.

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