5 kitchen gadgets that can help you lose weight

1. Bake fat free

Cut calories and fat from dinner by not using butter or margarine to grease your oven tray. This non-stick version is made with a ceramic-based coating called Thermolon Rocks, which is free from perfluorinated chemicals (suspected carcinogens), and takes a lot less energy to create than standard non-stick coatings. (GreenPan Rectangular Oven Tray, 28 cm x 38 cm, $48, [email protected], 416-644-1661)

2. Measure oil before pouring

Even the healthier oils, such as olive and canola, contain more than 100 calories per tablespoon (15 mL)-so if you’re a free-pourer when cooking, you may be getting more calories than you realize. This specially designed bottle does the measuring for you. Hold the button to pump as little as a teaspoon (5 mL) up to a tablespoon (15 mL) from the reservoir into the pouring jigger. (Elemental Kitchen oil and vinegar measure bottle, $20, 325 mL, trudeau.ca)

3. Steam in nutrients

Steaming allows vegetables to hold on to more of their antioxi­dants. This silicone steamer slides into a variety of different-sized pots, and won’t scratch ceramic or metal. (Trudeau Silicone Vegetable Steamer with Handles, $13, 9?1/4 in./ 23.5 cm, trudeau.ca)

4. Practise perfect portion control

These colour-coded ceramic measuring cups are a pretty way of ensuring better portion control. (You may even want to eat right out of these bowls!)

Here are some ideas for right-sizing your servings:
• Use the one-cup (250 mL) bowl for plain low-fat yogurt and berries.
• Use the 1/2-cup (125 mL) bowl to get one serving of brown rice.
• Use the 1/3-cup (75 mL) bowl to treat yourself to ice cream or frozen yogurt.
• Use the 1/4-cup (60 mL) bowl to get your daily serving of nuts. (Abbott set of four nesting bowls, $16, [email protected] or 800-263-2955)

5. Boost flavour with herbs

To cut back on salt, use tasty herbs on salad, whole grain rice or a salmon steak. This container has a water reservoir so herbs (and asparagus) last longer in the fridge.  (Herb Keeper, 24.5 cm, $25, crateandbarrel.ca or 888.657.4108)

Related:
• 8 ways your kitchen can help you lose weight
• 8 ways to reduce your portions
• How mindful eating can help you lose weight

More weight-loss gadgets

Want to add exercise to your weight-loss plan? Try a few tech toys to give your workout a boost. Check out these fitness gadgets from our partner site, Sympatico.ca.

(Image: Tanita.com)