You already know that to lose weight, you have to eat well, exercise, adhere to portion control, but sometimes we all want a little shortcut along the way. Most importantly we don't want to deprive ourselves of our favorite foods and it's okay to indulge on occasion. That's why the secret to successful weight loss can be found in your kitchen!
You may be thinking that the kitchen is the one room in your home you want to stay out of while on a diet, but believe it or not, it can hold the key to your ultimate weight loss journey. All you need are these few things…
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When I was first trying to lose weight, my nutritionist told me choosing the right foods and portion control was key. That's when I did a little research and purchased a few items that would help my lifestyle before and after my weight loss.
You'd be surprised to see the number of gadgets out there meant to help you lose weight, but besides all the gimmicks there are some important ones that you should maintain either in your cupboard or counter.
If these items helped me to lose weight, these will most definitely assist you as well! To find out the most important weight loss items you should keep in your kitchen, check out my list below!
Measuring cups/ spoons: Measuring utensils are perfect for any meal you are making. They will never always keep your portions in check and keep you from overeating. Yes, even that "healthy" granola cereal can become unhealthy if you serve yourself too much of it. Rely on these tools whether your baking, cooking, or serving yourself a snack and eventually you'll be able to tell visually how much a cup, or half cup amounts to.
Blender: A blender is perfect if you are making pancakes and want all the ingredients blended together or want a healthy smoothie. I personally love the Magic Bullet for those mornings when I need to eat something on the run. I just blend together a bunch of my favorite fruits, add some milk and it makes a filling and nutritious breakfast.
Food scale: When measuring cups aren't enough to do the job, a food scale will be your perfect backup choice. Use one of these when you need to get the accurate weight of your foods to avoid going over your calories of the day. Not everyone needs one, but if you want to track your calories to the T this is the tool for you.
Indoor grill: Unless you live in the warmer parts of the world, you don't always have access to a grill, which is why a griddle or an indoor grill is amazing! You'll be able to make fresh chicken breasts and other lean meats on the grill without all the extra fat and it will taste just as good as when it's actually barbecued.
Food steamer: If you don't want your chicken or fish grilled, you can always steam it and also steam your veggies in this device. Avoid the oil and extra calories by steaming your foods and you'll be on the path to a leaner and healthier you.
Zip lock bags: These little bags are great to make sure you don't overeat. Use your measuring cups to add a healthy portion of your favorite snacks into zip lock bags. Yes, you can still have chocolate and chips as long as you follow portion control.
Fruit bowl: Do you ever notice that you reach for the foods that are at eyesight? This is why placing a fruit bowl in plain sight in the kitchen can help you make healthier choices. Make sure to stock pile your fruit bowl with fresh fruits such as bananas, apples, oranges or peaches.
Small plates: You'd be surprised how easily we can be tricked into eating less if we switch our larger plates for smaller ones. Not only will you be consuming fewer calories, but chances are that plate will be enough to fill and satisfy your hunger. Even studies have shown the diet benefits of eating from smaller plates!
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