Nutritionist Toolkit

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By Ginger Hultin

I believe in keeping a streamlined kitchen with only the gadgets that you need and use on a regular basis. However, I definitely have 6 small spatulas like the ones shown in the picture here that I go through every, single day. The different scoop sizes and shapes of the silicone heads make it easy to scrape ingredients from cups, jars, and mixing bowls. This is such a simple little gadget, but I guarantee you'll want to keep several on hand when you're cooking more than one dish or when you're meal prepping for the week. This would be a really fun stocking-stuffer, gift for your college student or someone with goals to develop their cooking skills this season.

Nothing beats this little blender with different cup sizes and lids for blending smoothies or drinks to go or making sauces at home. It's really powerful and can blend up frozen ingredients, crush ice and incorporate skins and seeds of fruits and veggies easily. Best of all, you can pop the blade and cups in the dishwasher. It's such an easy-to-use product; I use mine several times a week. If you have a regular need for 1-2 servings, this is a perfect tool so that you're not constantly cleaning out a large blender.

As a registered dietitian, I love cooking but I'm also busy working and helping my clients so I need kitchen prep to be streamlined and easy. My favorite way to tackle a recipe is to get all the ingredients prepared ahead of time and set them aside so I can work through the recipe quickly and easily. A stackable glass bowl set like this one by Duralex helps you get all your herbs and spices, eggs or baking ingredients organized so cooking is more simple and makes less mess. Makes sure to get a stackable variety so that you can keep them in your cupboards and they take up hardly any space. If you're cooking at home on a regular basis, you'll need a set that contains at least 5-6 and maybe even 8-10.

As a registered dietitian nutritionist, I often get asked what supplements I like the best. While I do recommend a variety based on an individuals needs, NOW is a really nice, accessible brand that pays for outside third-party testing for quality, is moderately priced and creates a variety of great products. Make sure to work with your health care provider to know what supplements are best for you, uniquely!

You can buy jarred, chopped garlic but, as a registered dietitian, I know that there's nothing quite like a freshly crushed clove for that vibrant flavor. Chopping garlic with a knife takes much more time and effort than simply popping a clove or two in a powerful garlic press so I highly recommend this simple tool for your kitchen if you cook with garlic regularly...and you should because it's got a lot of health properties and nutrients.

This is one of my top-used kitchen gadgets year-round! I know that it seems so simple but it works much better than squeezing it by hand or some of the other types of gadgets used to juice lemons, limes and oranges. You'll get more juice and experience less food waste with a product like this one. It doesn't take up much space, it's really affordable, and if you're like me, you'll use it nearly every day when making marinades and sauces at home.

These guys are so good - I recommend them to my clients all the time. They have such a wonderful variety of healthy, frozen meals that suit all types of tastes and health needs. Plus, they hire really qualified dietitians and dietetic students who know their stuff. They support other local businesses and they're a great asset to the community.

I really love this practice and I refer patients to them all the time. The physicians at Aria specialize in autoimmune conditions and take a truly holistic approach.