I’m a Dietitian, and These Are Tools I Recommend When Eating Healthy Feels Hard

When I’m trying to get dinner on the table fast, I can’t say enough about the importance of good cookware. Quality cookware like the All-Clad D3 5-Piece set requires an upfront investment but is built to last. As editor and writer Katie Tuttle noted, “This is high-quality stainless steel that’s produced in the U.S…This set will last you for decades.”

The set includes a frying pan, a saucepan, a sauté pan, plus lids. Tuttle also loves that this set feels sturdy without feeling precious. “You don’t have to baby it, and it still looks beautiful in your cabinets,” she said. The polished finish shows fingerprints, and scratches will happen, but it doesn’t detract from the function. If your pots and pans aren’t doing the job, this set can make cooking easier and more enjoyable.

When cooking at home feels like too many dishes or not enough space, the right-sized cookware can help. The Caraway Mini Duo for small meals includes a frying pan and a saucepan. As editor, writer, and tester, Ashley Ziegler noted, “They’re easy to store because they’re small and they don’t take up a lot of cabinet space.”

“This is really easy to use -- I love the ergonomic design of the handles,” said Ziegler, who used the pan primarily for eggs, sandwiches, ground meat, and the pot for sauces and soup. “The pieces are dishwasher safe, but we always handwash our cookware to help it last as long as possible.” For everyday cooking, this set lowers the barrier to getting started.

One of the simplest ways to make cooking at home easier is to own one pan you trust completely — the kind you reach for without thinking. Cast iron has a reputation for lasting forever, and Amy Sowder van Erk thinks the Lancaster Cast Iron No. 10 Skillet lives up to that promise. “It will last a lifetime, or two lifetimes, it seems,” she said. “It’s useful and sturdy and good.”

Sowder van Erk especially likes that the pan feels designed for everyday cooking. “I like how it has a bigger surface area for cooking,” she notes, adding that the pan cooked her food evenly. She also appreciates that it’s “American-made and good quality and big enough for realistic needs for a family.” This pan is the kind of investment you make once and keep for the rest of your life.

Juicing isn’t for everyone, and you don’t need to juice to eat healthy, but if it’s something you genuinely enjoy or want to do more consistently, the right machine makes a big difference. The Nama Juicer is thoughtfully designed — and frankly, luxurious according to Tori Martinet, MS, RD, dietitian and owner of Tori’s Table, who notes it’s “one of the most beautiful pieces of kitchen equipment I have worked with.”

But it’s not just pretty to look at. “I love that it was clearly built with the knowledge that it would need to be cleaned, and I really love that you can turn it on and walk away from it,” she said. If juicing is already part of your routine, or something you want to do more of, this machine makes it feel doable.

I love my fancy, high-powered blender, but not everyone needs all the bells and whistles for daily use. I included the Hamilton Beach Power Elite Blender because it makes everyday blending a no-brainer. This is the kind of blender you can pull out on a busy morning or a weeknight without rereading the manual or worrying about cleanup. It’s a classic glass pitcher with a plastic lid, and after a quick wash in soapy water, it’s ready to go.

Smoothies are the first thing most people think of when using a blender (and aside from some extra ice chunks, this blender makes a tasty smoothie), but you can use blenders for so many other healthy dishes. In testing, it handled soups, sauces, and cooked foods well. The pitcher is dishwasher-safe and includes a built-in clean setting, and I appreciate how straightforward it is to set up and use. This is a reliable blender that works well for a wide range of healthy meals.

Slow cooker meals are one of the easiest ways to eat healthy at home. You can prep ingredients earlier in the day, walk away, and come back to a warm, home-cooked meal (and have extra for lunch the next day). Health writer Raki Swanson sums up why we love the Magnifique Claypot as the ultimate two-in-one kitchen hack. “You not only get a slow cooker, but you also receive a ‘Dutch oven’ of sorts, as the clay pot can go into the oven.”

It keeps food warm for a long time when used as a Dutch oven and includes a few extras, like a lid holder and a cork pad to protect your counters from the hot pot. On busy days, this set-it-and-forget-it cooking makes it much easier to skip the takeout.

When I teach my clients about healthy eating, I always emphasize that the small habits you repeat are what eventually make cooking feel easier. A good vegetable peeler can be part of this routine and is one of the most underrated tools in the kitchen. I use my OXO Good Grips Swivel Peeler multiple times a day, from peeling carrots and cucumbers for quick snacks for kids to prepping vegetables for dinners and shaving ribbons for salads. It’s one less barrier to eating veggies.

This peeler is comfortable and feels good in your hand. The sharp swivel blade is smooth, and the non-slip handle is cushioned. It’s simple and easy to clean. For a small investment, this peeler makes fresh, produce-forward meals feel that much more doable.

Packing food ahead makes it easy to choose healthy options, but only if those foods actually hold up and taste good when you are ready to eat. That’s why we like the PackIt Freezable Lunch Bags and Snack Bags for pack-once-and-go meals. When leftovers or lunches stay cold and intact, you’re far more likely to eat what you packed rather than default to takeout. Packit also makes bento boxes that Glinski likes to use. “ I love PackIt's large bento box because you can adjust the compartment sizes,” she said.

Editorial director Simone Scully initially tried PackIt lunch boxes with her son and quickly realized how much of a game-changer they are for anyone packing food on the go. “These lunchboxes and snack boxes help A LOT,” she said, especially compared to traditional lunch boxes with ice packs that don’t stay cold long enough or lead to mushy, inedible food. When food stays cold and appetizing, you’re much more likely to eat what you planned.

Healthy snacking is a lot easier when your food is already prepped and portioned. We like the Farberware Build-A-Board Snacklebox for healthy snacks you can take anywhere. Health writer and product tester Lindsay Modglin loves how practical it feels right out of the gate. “The compartments are pretty deep, so you can fit a lot of charcuterie-like snacks,” she said, adding that the snap-on lid makes it easy to transport without stressing about spills.

Modglin also found herself using it more than expected. “I’ve already found several uses for it,” she said. Those uses range from prepping after-school snacks her kids can eat over several days to packing fruits and veggies to enjoy between sporting events. Even her husband got in on it: “He requested I make one for him to take to work and share with his coworkers.” While she noted the lid isn’t vacuum-sealed, the durable, BPA-free plastic and locking handle made it feel secure enough for travel.

If you batch-cook on the weekend or double a recipe during the week, having the right containers makes it so much easier to pop them in the microwave. The Bentgo Signature Leak-Proof Glass Storage containers are made of glass, so they hold up better over time, and you can put them straight in the microwave. They stack neatly in the fridge, so your prepped meals stay visible and organized.

I love that these nest for compact storage and are dishwasher-safe. When your containers help you with storing and reheating, you’re far more likely to follow through and eat the meals you planned. Plus, they look extra cute and organized sitting in your fridge.

Something as simple as a cutting board may not seem like it can help with healthy eating, but the surface you’re working on matters more than you think. A solid, heavy cutting board gives you room to work and makes chopping feel smoother. “You can just tell that these are high quality,” said Scully, who called them “luxury items” that immediately stand apart from cheaper options.

Scully said she’s owned plenty of wooden boards before, but these were different: “They’re durable and honestly, stunning,” she said. John Boos even sells wax and cleaning products and provides clear care instructions, because “these are meant to be heirloom items that you have for life.”

In testing, I found it very easy to use, with a sturdy feel and a sleek glass top that wipes clean. The scale is compact enough to leave out or tuck away, and it feels sturdier and higher-quality than its price suggests. If you’re curious about portions, this is a low-pressure way to build awareness around food.

If chopping feels slow, awkward, or even a little unsafe, your knives might be the problem. A sharp, well-balanced knife makes food prep easier and safer. “Preparing fruits and vegetables can be frustrating when your knives aren’t sharp enough, so keeping them sharpened makes it much easier,” said Sarah Glinski, RD, a Canadian registered dietitian specializing in gut health. I tested the 3-Piece Professional German Steel Kitchen Knife Set from Z Line and realized how ready I was for an upgrade.

The handles are smooth and sturdy, and the blades are noticeably sharp. I was honestly surprised by the value, as this set includes three knives — a chef’s knife, a paring knife, and a bread knife — all for about the price of a single good chef’s knife.

ButcherBox Ultimate Variety Box takes decision-making off your plate while maintaining high quality. “For this cost, you get a lot of food!!” said Swanson, who was struck by the value. The box includes a wide range of cuts, from ground beef and burgers to chicken, pork, and steak.

“This is one heck of a value for organic food,” Swanson said. She noted that meat often gets downgraded when budgets are tight, but ButcherBox helps bridge that gap by delivering humanely raised meat with no antibiotics or added hormones, straight to your door. During busy weeks, having high-quality protein in your freezer means one less item to grab at the store.

Some mornings (or afternoons) are just too much for a full kitchen session. Daily Harvest delivers frozen, plant-based smoothies and protein oat bowls made with certified organic fruits and vegetables that go from freezer to ready in a few minutes.

For busy days when you’re flying out the front door without breakfast, these options fill the gap without making you reach for sugary bars or drive-thru stops. The high-protein smoothies alone contain around 20 grams of plant-based protein per serving. Daily Harvest doesn’t replace home-cooking entirely, but having a few ready-to-go smoothies or oat bowls on hand can take pressure off your routine. Plus, I found the smoothies tasted really good (and my kids liked them too).

Sunbasket handles the planning, shopping, and decision fatigue, while still letting you cook real meals at home. “Meal kit delivery can be a helpful bridge between eating out and cooking all your meals from scratch by offering structure and ease without the full-time and energy burden,” said Hadlee.

I occasionally use Sunbasket for my family on weeks when I’m too busy to meal-plan, or when I just want to mix things up. You can filter by dietary needs (which matters in our house since my husband is gluten-free), and the recipes are straightforward. You’ll find flavors spanning Latin, Mediterranean, and Asian-inspired dishes, plus a variety of grains and noodles. And for nights when even light cooking feels like too much, Sunbasket also offers a handful of ready-to-heat meals as well.

Wanting to cook more and actually having the energy to do it are two very different things. Scully shares that between working full-time and raising her son, “I am exhausted at the end of the day and find it hard to muster the energy to sit down and meal plan and cook a fresh meal… even though I really, really want to.” The Love & Lemons cookbook offers a realistic, veggie-first approach, paired with make-ahead options that let Scully cook on the weekend and heat meals later for packed lunches and easy dinners.

Scully also loves how flexible and family-friendly the recipes are. Just as important: her son was on board. “My son also really liked most of the recipes we made (especially the zucchini lemon pasta),” she said, which she calls a real win for a picky eater. If you need a little more inspiration for plant-based cooking, this cookbook is a treat.

I also have this cookbook and appreciate how clearly it centers fiber as the foundation of meals, rather than an afterthought. The recipes make it easier to work with beans, whole grains, vegetables, and other fiber-rich foods in ways that feel satisfying, not restrictive.

Gluten- and dairy-free meals can sometimes take a little extra planning. I have several of Danielle Walker’s cookbooks and consistently trust her approach, but Healthy in a Hurry is especially helpful. It’s designed for people who want nourishing, nutrient-dense food but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.

I appreciate that the book keeps the focus on whole, thoughtfully prepared ingredients, while acknowledging the constraints we can all relate to. With a little preparation, these are meals you can pull together quickly. For anyone with dietary restrictions or just those who want food that feels good in their body, this is a great option.

If you like the idea of meal planning but feel overwhelmed by starting from scratch, Prep Dish is such a helpful middle ground. It’s a weekly dinner plan created by a dietitian, so the meals are balanced but designed with real-life schedules in mind. Each week, you get a full meal plan delivered to your inbox, complete with a grocery list and clear recipes that guide you on what to prep ahead and what to do on the day you serve it.

If you’re willing to spend an hour or two prepping over the weekend, most weeknight meals come together in minutes. For people who want to eat well during the week but don’t want to think about meals every single day, Prep Dish makes healthy eating feel organized, doable, and — honestly — kind of fun again.