15 Essential Kitchen Tools for Weight Loss: Prep Smarter, Eat Healthier

Ready to crush your weight loss goals? Your kitchen is either your best friend or your biggest hurdle. To nail this journey, you need the right tools and the know-how to whip up healthy meals and snacks. That’s where Nutrisystem has your back—we’ll show you how to create delicious, nutritious meals with simple tips that keep things flexible, fun and help you build healthy habits that stick for the long haul.

The best part? You don’t need fancy gadgets or a chef-level setup to make it happen. With just a few affordable, practical tools, you can turn healthy cooking into something that’s quick, easy and—dare we say—super fun! These 15 must-have kitchen tools are here to keep you on track and make your weight loss journey a breeze. Let’s do this!

1. Digital Food Scale

Why we love it: Portion control is a game changer for weight loss. A digital kitchen scale helps you measure exact portions of food—think nuts, meat, cheese or pasta—so you’re not eyeballing it and accidentally doubling up on calories. No more guessing games!

This little gadget is especially helpful when following a weight loss program like Nutrisystem and using a food tracking app. Most models measure in grams and ounces, with a tare function that lets you subtract the weight of bowls or containers.

Pro tip: Use it to weigh fruits and snacks before storing them in single-portion containers.

Price: $15–$25

2. 16-Ounce Glass Measuring Cup

Why we love it: While grandma’s cooking might be “a pinch of this” and “a handful of that,” whole grains like brown rice or quinoa—and even baking recipes—demand precision. A clear measuring cup is the perfect solution.

We especially love the versatility: use it for dressings, measuring out soup broth or even whisking up scrambled eggs. Bonus points for being microwave-safe and easy to clean.

Pro tip: Always measure dry ingredients first, so you don’t end up with sugar stuck in your olive oil!

Price: $8–$12

3. Small Paring Knife

Why we love it: A good paring knife gives you precision and control that a large chef’s knife can’t. They come in handy when prepping small fruits, trimming meat or deseeding peppers.

From peeling apples to slicing strawberries, this handy blade does it all. Plus, a sharp paring knife can make prep work quicker and safer, reducing your chances of slipping while cutting.

Price: $10–$15

4. Small Whisk

Why we love it: Sure, a big whisk is great for pancakes—but a small whisk is your best friend for making vinaigrettes, sauces, or mixing powdered supplements into smoothies or water.

Its compact size fits perfectly into a measuring cup or mason jar. Plus, it’s easier to clean and less cumbersome when whipping up just a small amount.

Pro tip: Mixing up your salad dressing in a glass measuring cup allows you to easily pour it on your greens!

Price: $6–$10

5. Oil Mister

Why we love it: Commercial cooking sprays can come with unnecessary additives and can be tough to portion. A refillable oil mister gives you complete control over what goes in—and how much comes out.

Fill it with heart-healthy olive oil, avocado oil or sesame oil and spritz away. It’s perfect for lightly coating pans, vegetables or salads without drowning your meal in fat.

Pro tip: Choose extra virgin olive oil for flavor and its monounsaturated fat benefits.

Price: $10–$15

6. Manual Herb Mill

Why we love it: Chopping herbs can be a chore. This stainless steel tool turns the task into a joy. It finely chops fresh herbs like rosemary, cilantro or parsley with a twist—no knife or cutting board required.

Adding herbs is one of the easiest ways to boost flavor without salt, fat or calories. Think basil on pasta, mint in smoothies or dill on fish.

Price: $20–$25

7. Grater/Zester

Why we love it: Flavor doesn’t have to mean calories. A good microplane-style grater lets you add bursts of flavor with lemon zest, ginger, garlic or even a dusting of cinnamon over oatmeal.

This small-but-mighty tool is perfect for enhancing the taste of meals while staying on track.

Price: $8–$12

8. Food Chopper

Why we love it: Say goodbye to onion tears and time-consuming dicing. A food chopper makes meal prep lightning fast—just press down and you’re done.

We love using it for prepping stir-fries, chopping nuts or making salsa. It’s compact, easy to clean and a great alternative to lugging out a bulky food processor.

Price: $20–$30

9. Spiralizer

Why we love it: Looking to cut back on carbs without feeling deprived? A spiralizer transforms zucchini, carrots or sweet potatoes into veggie noodles you can top with your favorite sauces. It’s a fun and family-friendly way to eat more veggies.

Bonus: No cooking required for zucchini noodles—just top and serve!

Price: $20–$25

10. Immersion Blender

Why we love it: This handheld powerhouse blends soups, smoothies or sauces directly in the pot or glass—no transferring, no mess. It’s especially useful for making creamy soups without cream, or for pureeing veggies into pasta sauce.

Price: $30–$40

11. Juicer

Why we love it: Fresh juice can be a delicious way to sneak in fruits and veggies—just keep an eye on portion sizes. While centrifugal juicers are more affordable, masticating juicers produce less waste and a higher yield.

Prices:

• Centrifugal juicers: $100–$130
• Masticating juicers: $150–$180

12. Steamer Basket or Electric Steamer

Why we love it: Steam your way to healthier meals. Cooking vegetables or seafood with steam retains nutrients while eliminating the need for oils or sauces. A basket fits right in your pot, while an electric version lets you set and forget.

Prices:

• Steamer basket: $8–$10
• Electric steamer: $25–$35

13. Slow Cooker

Why we love it: Whether you call it a slow cooker or a Crockpot, this tool is a lifesaver for busy schedules. Toss in your ingredients in the morning—think lean protein, veggies and spices—and come home to a ready-to-eat, healthy dinner.

From stews to chili to teriyaki chicken, the options are endless when it comes to high protein slow cooker dinners. It’s like having a personal chef.

Price: $30–$40

14. Orange Peeler

Why we love it: A surprisingly useful tool that scores citrus peels so you can remove them easily—without getting orange rind under your fingernails.

It may seem simple, but tools like this encourage healthier snacking by making fresh fruit easier to eat.

Price: $5–$8

15. One-Portion Glass Containers

Why we love it: These make it simple to meal prep and store individual meals ahead of time, so you’re never left scrambling at lunch or dinner. Look for versions with airtight, snap-lock lids to keep food fresh longer.

They’re especially helpful for rice bowls, soups, salads and even grab-and-go snacks. Glass versions are microwave-safe, dishwasher-safe and better for the environment.

Price: $20–$30 (set of 5–10)

Cook Smarter to Reach Your Goals

You don’t need a gourmet kitchen to eat well and lose weight. With just a few of these budget-friendly kitchen tools, you’ll save time, reduce stress and set yourself up for healthier meals all week long.

Ready to take the guesswork out of healthy eating? With Nutrisystem, you’ll get perfectly portioned meals and snacks delivered right to your door, making it easier than ever to stay on track. Pair your new kitchen tools with Nutrisystem and crush your weight loss goals. Get started today!