I'm trying to cut out ultra-processed food — here's the 3 kitchen appliances that actually help
If you've been on the internet for the past year, you've probably heard of 'Ultra Processed People' by Chris van Tulleken ($9-$18 on Amazon). Now I'm not going to claim I'm a dietician or a scientist (because I'm not — I'm just a humble journalist), so you can do your own research about the concept of ultra-processed food. This is just my personal experience, not a peer-reviewed study.
However, this book did get me thinking: should I really be eating so much stuff with ingredients I can't pronounce? I decided, no, not really, and embarked on a mission to shift my eating habits.
Thanks to my job as a reviews writer, I get my hands on a lot of kitchen tech. I've tested loads of the best Instant Pots, best air fryers, best stand mixers, and more.
I've been able to narrow down the selection of appliances to just three of the best. I genuinely use these three appliances to cook 99.9% of my meals, and here's why you should too.
I have the Instant Pot Pro (2025), but if you're in the U.S., I'd recommend the Instant Pot Pro Plus. These machines work pretty much identically.
What makes the Instant Pot so good is its capacity. It boasts a massive 5-quart capacity, allowing me to prepare up to 10 servings of various healthy meals easily. I've made chili, bolognese sauce, veggie-loaded curries, and meal-prepped about 15 servings of rice in this beast.
The Instant Pot Pro Plus not only has smart connectivity (so you can turn it on/off when you're not even at home), but a massive 5-quart capacity so you can prepare a week's worth of meals in one go.
When I prep the week's meals ahead of time, I'm not tempted to go to the grocery store and buy a ready meal or order takeout.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
The best part of the Instant Pot is that it's a press-play-and-leave-it-alone sort of machine. All I have to do is fill it up with my ingredients, set the time, and I can do something else for that time. I don't have to sweat over the stove stirring sauce.
The Instant Pot means I've always got meals in the freezer, so I know I've got a healthy dinner even after a busy, stressful day. 10/10 would recommend.
I'm human, which means I crave food like fries and burgers on the regular. While there's nothing wrong with eating the food your body wants, I'm trying to stay away from fast food. This means that if I want fries, I have to do it myself.
Thanks to my air fryer, though, this is never easier. I have the Philips 2000 Series Air Fryer (complete with a window, so I can always check on my food), but my parents have the Ninja Foodi DualZone and can't stop telling me about how good it is, so I'd recommend that one too.
I have this air fryer, and I use it almost every day. It's big enough to roast a whole chicken (in just 52 minutes) and helps me make crispy, crunchy fries with very little oil. I also can't help but watch my food cook through the window.
Because air fryers are mini, quicker ovens, I can make fries from scratch in about 20 minutes in my 2000 Series. I also make homemade cakes in my air fryer, and it means I don't have to turn the whole oven on for a single-serve dessert.
I love this one because of the window. Yes, I know it's lame, but I love watching my food cook. I'm boring — I know.
The consensus online is that bread is one of the most highly processed foods available. As a result, I wanted to start making my own. About five months ago, after getting my hands on a sourdough starter, I embarked on my sourdough journey.
Sourdough is fermented, so it's generally better for the gut, and it also tastes delicious. I'm not going to share a picture of my sourdough because I am utterly pathetic at scoring my dough, but I'll tell you about how my KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer has helped me cut out shop-bought bread.
While pricey, the KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer isn't a one-trick pony. It comes with a dough hook, flat beater, and whisk, so you can make everything from bread to meringue with just the starter attachments.
Using the dough hook attachment, I mix my flour, water, starter, and salt. Then, during the bulk fermentation stage (when the dough rises and becomes bubbly), I use the dough hook on speed 1 to mix the dough every 30 minutes for the first 2 hours.
I proof the dough in the KitchenAid bowl, too, so I don't need to transfer to another bowl and do more washing up. After the bulk fermentation, I transfer it to my Dutch oven for the final proof and shaping.
While I know I could mix the dough by hand, the stand mixer helps me develop the gluten and saves my arm muscles while it kneads. I adore my stand mixer, and can't believe I lived so long without one!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Buzz Feed
12 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
This Handy Device Can Clean Your Phone
Bad news: Your phone screen is pretty gross. According to previous HuffPost reporting, phones can carry thousands of germs, even more than most toilet seats, and if you're putting those germs next to your face all the time, experts say it can even exacerbate acne, rosacea or other pre-existing skin conditions. So how can you make sure you're getting rid of that bacteria? Enter: PhoneSoap, a nifty little device that uses UV-C light to sanitize your device and kill bacteria and viruses. Former HuffPost editor Danielle Gonzalez reviewed an older model of the PhoneSoap back in 2020, and confirmed with Dr. Charles Gerba, a microbiologist and professor at the University of Arizona, that UV light does work well to kill germs and sanitize your phone. This third-generation model of the PhoneSoap has garnered 4.5 stars across over 15,000 ratings on Amazon. Available in six colors, the device is like a case for your phone that provides 360-degree disinfection in 10 minutes. The light from the UV-C bulb bounces off the reflective interior to hit every spot on your phone. The PhoneSoap's interior dimensions are 6.8 by 3.74 by 0.78 inches, able to fit larger iPhone and Android models — just make sure to check the specs for your specific device. But that's not all; just because it's called PhoneSoap doesn't mean you can only use it for your phone. Germs collect on a bunch of high-contact surfaces like your headphones, jewelry, keys, credit cards and so much more. Depending on the size of your personal items, you can use the PhoneSoap to sanitize basically anything that fits. But the PhoneSoap is still useful, as one reviewer points out: 'The UV light does the trick and sanitizes my phone. Second, every time I stick in ― which I do every day or so, whenever my phone needs charging, as the device charges my phone as well as sanitizes ― It reminds me to wipe the face of my phone down and remove all the oil and bacteria that accumulates each day. It's like having a new phone every day.' Other reviewers also mention that using chemical cleaners on their phones adversely affected their skin, making the PhoneSoap a great alternative. Below, check out more promising reviews for the usefulness of the PhoneSoap and the peace of mind it can provide, or just go ahead and add it to your cart. Your skin will thank you. Get it from Amazon for $51.95+ (available in seven colors).
Hamilton Spectator
14 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Ontario and Canada recalls: Bell bike helmets sold at Walmart, Circle K sandwiches, Coleman camping gear, power banks sold on Amazon and more
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recently issued recall notices for various consumer products and food items. Recalled products have been sold in Canada at Walmart, Costco, Home Hardware, the Home Depot, Best Buy on Amazon and more. The food inspection agency issued several notices for food recalls in Canada this week. More than 70 people have now become sick in Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba . The reports are connected to a salmonella outbreak linked with a salami food recall warning in Canada. Check out our previous week's recall roundup . Last week, a food recall was issued for C'est Prêt! brand and Circle K brand chicken sandwiches distributed in Ontario and Quebec. The items were recalled as they contained pieces of bone. 'Do not use, sell, serve or distribute the affected products,' the agency warned in its recall notice, originally published on June 18. A recall notice for certain Bell Cadence youth bicycle helmets was issued due to an injury hazard. 'The helmet may fail to protect the person during a fall or crash, posing a risk of head injury,' Health Canada warns. The helmets — sold by Walmart with the model name 'Cadence' and model no. B0605Y with date code '9/24' (September 2024) — are impacted by the recall. Health Canada has issued a c onsumer product recall for the Coleman Converta camping suspension stretcher due to a laceration and amputation hazard. The backrest fold mechanism can pinch consumers' fingers, warned the June 26 recall notice . Health Canada issued a recall notice for more high chairs sold in Canada. This time, the Funlio 2-in-1 convertible baby high chair has been recalled due to fall and entrapment hazards. The high chairs were sold between May 2024 and May 2025. Health Canada explained the recalled high chairs pose a 'deadly entrapment hazard' as the opening between the seat and tray is large enough for a child to get trapped. Health Canada updated their recall notice for several brands of air conditioners and included Danby, Frigidaire, Insignia, Midea and Perfect Aire, due to mould concerns. Recalled air conditioners were sold in Canada through Home Hardware, Best Buy, Costco, Home Depot, Amazon and Walmart — and possibly other stores. On Monday, June 23, Health Canada updated their initial recall notice to update model numbers. The recall notice now indicates only the U window air conditioners are recalled. Health Canada has issued a recall notice for the Anker power bank A1647 and Anker Zolo power banks A1681 and A1689 due to fire risk. The power banks were sold on Amazon. 'Immediately stop using the recalled products and contact Anker for a free replacement power bank or receive a voucher for use on Anker's official website,' the Health Canada recall notice said. 'Dispose of the recalled power bank by contacting your municipality for instructions on how to safely transport and dispose of lithium-ion batteries.' The lithium-ion batteries in certain units of the recalled power banks may overheat and pose a fire risk. You can report a food concern or complaint to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency online. Consumers can report any health or safety incidents related to the use of products by filling out a consumer product incident report form . You can check for more recall notices published by Health Canada and CFIA online . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Buzz Feed
a day ago
- Buzz Feed
This Affordable Moisturizer Is *Incredibly* High Rated
To make the claim that something is 'the best' takes a lot of consideration and research on our part. But, after several praises sung by experts in skincare, tons of positive ratings and some of the most convincing testimonies from people like myself, it's finally time for us to name the original CeraVe Moisturizing Cream as the best moisturizer out there to date. We've given this unassuming and ubiquitous hydrator this title for reasons such as its accessible price point and its truly all-purpose usage that's compatible with even the most sensitive skin types. However, after a dermatologist that we interviewed for a recent story said that the CeraVe cream was one of their 'favorite moisturizers in the entire world,' we knew it was more than just a good product. When board-certified and Texas-based dermatologist Dr. Seemal R. Desai at Innovative Dermatology previously spoke to HuffPost about the best products to manage crepey skin, he explained that moisturizers with thick emollients are what help to replace the ceramides and lipid concentration in the skin, which can help with overall hydration. And like all of the products in CeraVe's line, be it their cult-favorite face washes or targeted serums, this custard-like cream is formulated with three essential ceramides that are fundamental for not just hydration, as mentioned earlier, but for helping to maintain a healthy skin barrier. The formula also contains hyaluronic acid, a tried-and-true humectant that draws moisture into the skin. As a long time sufferer of this common skin condition, I can personally attest to how beneficial the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream has been to managing any irritation, redness and flaking that occurs. In fact, it's the only moisturizer I've continuously used on my body for the past decade because I know it won't exacerbate my incredibly dry and finicky epidermis. Other users of this $14 cream have made similar claims as myself and have even attributed the formula for improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and managing painful skin cracking brought on by the winter elements. Others state that it's the perfect priming layer to wear underneath makeup. As if these assuring words and endless endorsements from dermatologists weren't enough, you can read on to just a few of the promising reviews we found for the CeraVe cream, a product that might be one of the highest rated items we've seen on Amazon. Or grab yourself a long-lasting 8- or 19-ounce tub from any of the above retailers. Get it from Amazon for $13.52+ (available in two sizes).
