Health is wealth may have seemed like a cliche in times past but today, this statement is worth its weight in gold. Despite the horde of benefits modernism has offered, it has surely demanded a bill that must be paid in health.
Even a few decades ago, all food was natural, the air was clean, and water was safe to consume. Sadly, the downfall from this pedestal has been a terrifying one indeed. Experts have termed this condition to be ‘21st-century-itis.’ It refers to the sickness that simply existing in today’s fast-paced world induces.
Thankfully, amid such chaos, millennials and Gen-Z are carving their way out by supporting healthy lifestyles and diets. A study found that these younger demographics are willing to scale back on streaming services and fashion to invest more in their health.
All of this undoubtedly begins inside the kitchen. This article will shed light on the top four modern kitchen appliances that have facilitated a turn towards better health.
Food Dehydrator
The primary purpose of a food dehydrator is to remove all moisture from the food by circulating hot air over an extended period. This kitchen appliance is witnessing a surge in demand as it exhibits a CAGR of over 6% between 2022 and 2030.
By virtue of its function, a food dehydrator is essentially an automated preservation appliance. For those who do not wish to consume any oil or sugar, this device can help prepare healthful snacks. Some of the most popular ones include jerky, fruit leather strips, kale or baked sweet potato chips, fruit candy, and cauliflower popcorn.
These were just a few examples. It is possible to use this appliance for dehydrating any fruit or vegetable for an easy low-carb snack. There are several benefits homeowners can avail of with the purchase of this modern appliance. For instance – dehydration ensures a longer shelf life due to moisture removal. It also helps retain the food’s original nutritional value, be it fat, calories, protein, fiber, or carbohydrates.
Just like any other appliance, using a dehydrator effectively also requires some careful practice. One example would be being aware of the drying times for different fruits and veggies. The next best practice would be slicing each piece to equal thickness or the drying time may differ.
Furthermore, this kitchen tool carries the risk of fire, especially in the case of a faulty thermostat or overheating. Hence, it must not be overloaded or have blocked air vents.
Juicer
Due to increasing stress and a highly sedentary lifestyle, modern folks are choosing to consume as many fruits and vegetables as possible. Since eating these raw in salad forms can be time-consuming and difficult each time, many have opted for the simpler version of juicing.
Be it a centrifugal or a masticating juicer, one is sure to find either of these in modern American households. The preferred choice among the health-conscious is the masticating juicer which slowly grinds and presses fruits or vegetables for higher-quality juices. This helps preserve the necessary enzymes and nutrients for better absorption and digestion.
Besides the direct juice extracted from a juicer, other recipes that people prefer to consume include smoothies, nut milk, and frozen sorbets. Some mistakes to avoid include overheating the appliance, inserting fruits and vegetables inappropriately, and cleaning the juicer against the manufacturer’s instructions.
Electric Pressure Cooker
If one appliance is a treasured kitchen asset in an average US household, it has to be the electric pressure cooker. This device was originally invented to cut down cooking time drastically while retaining most of the nutrients in the food.
Today, science has made it possible for us to understand how a pressure cooker’s benefits take their form. For instance – researchers found that the antioxidant content in black beans increased when pre-soaked and boiled for an hour. The same became even higher when pressure-cooked for just 15 minutes.
Similarly, the nutritional value of carrots doubled when pressure-cooked for 5 minutes compared to 12 minutes of boiling or 6 minutes of microwaving. Given that the cooking time may be reduced by 70%, this appliance is altogether a man-made marvel. It is true provided safety precautions are not neglected.
An electric pressure cooker runs mainly on electricity and steam, both of which can be dangerous when handled carelessly. While functioning normally, TorHoerman Law states that the steam release valve maintains sufficient pressure while releasing excessive steam. This process is extremely crucial to keep even pressure while cooking.
If it is disrupted or some part is defective, there is the risk of a pressure cooker explosion or severe burns. Sometimes, even hot food may spill from the sides, thereby causing injuries. This makes it critical to follow safety tips like avoiding overfilling, checking all parts before cooking, and releasing steam safely after use.
Air Fryer
One craving that even fitness enthusiasts may find difficult to curb is fried foods. Double-fried crisp potato chips, deep-fried onion fritters, or popcorn chicken bites are tantalizing to look at and consume. This is because such processed food items can have a powerful effect on our brain’s reward centers.
Just like any other addiction that keeps us in a loop for a dopamine hit, fried foods have us coming back for more. Knowing that they are harmful to health seldom helps. The air fryer is an appliance that cuts the dilemma of abstaining from fried foods completely.
It is possible to achieve the texture of deep frying without using as much grease or oil. What’s more, this appliance may reduce the acrylamide content, which is a known carcinogen found in fried foods. The air fryer uses heated air circulation to create a rough crispy texture on the outside of the food item.
Introduced in 2010 by Philips, this appliance has revolutionized the way we look at oily foods. However, it is important to practice safe cooking for best results. This includes avoiding overcrowding and leaving the appliance unattended. The latter can cause the air fryer to malfunction or worse yet, start a fire.
The appliances mentioned in this article stand at the heart of healthy contemporary kitchens. Besides the assurance of health, they help create a tender time/effort balance for busy folks. With a combination of these gadgets, it’s possible to maintain a steady supply of delectable and nutrient-rich recipes for breakfast, snacks, lunch, and dinner.
