7 Kitchen Tools Dietitians Recommend for Anti-Inflammatory Cooking

I struggle with chronic inflammation, and it impacts every part of my routine, whether it’s what I eat or my activity for the day. It’s something to take seriously: According to the National Library of Medicine's resource, StatPearls, we can attribute more than half of worldwide deaths to chronic inflammatory diseases. 

While there are so many aspects of our health that are out of our control, it’s worth taking the time to make adjustments where you can. My favorite ones to make are the ones that become thoughtless, like ensuring your kitchen is equipped with healthy kitchen gear that you can use to make balanced meals for an anti-inflammatory diet. After all, who wants to take all of that time planning a thoughtful dish, only to find that you don’t have the tools you need to make it? 

To help you, we consulted with two of our dietitians, senior editor Jessica Ball, M.S., RD, and senior editor Brierley Horton, M.S., RD, for the tools they couldn’t cook anti-inflammatory meals without. So take your health seriously and don’t go without these! I know I’ll be taking their advice. 

Cast-Iron Skillet 

Lodge 10.25-Inch Cast-Iron Skillet 

Cooking with cast-iron “limits your exposure to PFAs, which can stoke chronic inflammation,” says Horton. Many nonstick pans contain PFAs or Teflon, a form of plastic. Grabbing an inexpensive skillet, like our favorite cast-iron pick from Lodge, is an easy way to avoid those unnecessary materials while cooking a healthy meal. “I have this skillet and use it all the time. I love to cook my salmon in it because I can get it nice and crispy on the stovetop and then finish it off in the oven. All of those omega-3s are so good for fending off chronic inflammation,” Horton added. 

Glass Containers 

Pyrex Simply Store 9-Piece Glass Container Set

“Glass food storage containers are my saving grace,” Horton says. “It cuts down on the BPA exposure that can stoke chronic inflammation.” What are BPAs exactly? It’s a chemical that’s often associated with plastic containers and water bottles we use daily. The concern with BPAs is their impact on our hormones, which can impact our inflammation, as Horton notes. She’s a big fan of these Pyrex containers (the plastic lid is BPA-free!) because of their durability and versatility. Use them to meal prep healthy grains, proteins and more. 

Salad Spinner 

Cuisinart Small Salad Spinner 

“A salad spinner is a necessity for me, especially in the summer when my garden is producing a lot of vegetables and I'm buying things from the farmers market that may have some dirt on them,” says Ball. A whole foods-based, produce-heavy diet is excellent for inflammation because of the antioxidants and fiber these ingredients contain, so it makes sense why you’d need an easy way to cut down on prep time. Salad spinners do just that! Use this compact version to rinse, wash and dry lettuce, berries and other seasonal ingredients in just a few minutes. “Because it makes everything easy to clean, I eat more of the season's bounty,” Ball adds. 

Mortar and Pestle 

Imusa Granite Mortar and Pestle Set 

“Spices are packed with anti-inflammatory benefits, and buying them whole can help them stay fresh for longer,” says Ball. “I love this mortar and pestle for grinding up those spices.” The durable and strong granite material of this $17 essential helps break down spices in a fuss-free way. 

Baking Sheets 

Nordic Ware Naturals Extra Large and Half Sheet Set

Horton agrees with Ball’s advice on making produce a priority: “You need baking sheets for making all of those colorful roasted vegetables that are so good for you!” Roasted vegetables, in particular, are one of our favorite ways to get all of the antioxidants and disease-fighting benefits because you can fit so much variety in one go. She loves the Nordic Ware baking sheets for the job because they’re made to last, which is key for a cookware piece you’ll use frequently. They also have great heat retention, so your ingredients can bake evenly with nice browning.   

Blender 

KitchenAid Variable Speed Blender 

“Blenders are great for making smoothies with frozen wild blueberries, which are huge for inflammation,” Horton notes. Our favorite blender of all time is this KitchenAid model, although we also love personal blenders like this one from Nutribullet. It’s worth investing in a full-size upright blender if you ask us, though. They’re versatile, and if you have our top pick, it’s easy to use and incredibly powerful, so every ingredient you throw in it will whizz up smoothly.  

Sharp Knife 

Cutco Petite Chef’s Knife 

Perhaps we’re saving the best for last! “This one may be too obvious, but I love having a sharp knife,” Ball says. Having a good-quality knife on hand makes the world of a difference in prep. A dull blade will never cut through that juicy heirloom tomato, the gigantic head of cabbage you’re proud of growing or that huge squash from the market. Plus, worn-down knives are dangerous: they often lead to more cuts due to instability! Ball prefers the Cutco petite chef’s knife, which is easy for her to control and comfortable to hold. “It's critical for cooking well at home, whether it's chopping up vegetables, fruits, meat, tofu or nuts.”