August is the month when many people start getting back into their routine — some return to work mid-month, while others prepare for the little ones to head back to school. Whatever your situation, home-cooked meals are often the first thing to suffer. This guide focuses on the gadgets that make it easier to get back to healthy eating without spending more time in the kitchen.
If you're looking for specific recipe ideas, we have a complete guide to healthy main dishes. Here, we focus on the tools that make preparing them faster.
Chop Vegetables and Nuts in Seconds
One reason home cooking is often abandoned during busy periods is the time spent chopping ingredients. A portable electric chopper solves this in seconds, without having to take out the large food processor or wash half the kitchen afterward.
100 ml Portable Chopper
Ideal for: garlic, onions, nuts, or fresh herbs in small quantities — just what you need to season a salad or a quick stir-fry.
Our recommendation: The 100 ml Portable Cordless Chopper charges via USB and requires no cord or counter space.
250 ml Portable Chopper
Ideal for: slightly larger quantities — preparing the finely chopped ingredients for a salad, a quick sauce, or blending a puree for the whole family.
Our recommendation: The 250 ml Portable Cordless Chopper features the same compact design with a bit more capacity.
Sunday Meal Prep: Prepare 3-4 Days' Worth at Once
The most effective way to avoid relying on last-minute ideas during the week is to spend some time on Sunday preparing several meals. Two gadgets make a big difference in how long that food stays fresh:
Stackable Airtight Containers
Ideal for: dividing your meal prep into individual portions that stack in the refrigerator without taking up all the space.
Our recommendation: The Stackable Airtight Containers with Smart Unlocking seal completely airtight, making them ideal for taking meals to work.
Vacuum Sealer
Ideal for: if you prepare meat, fish, or chopped vegetables in advance for the whole week, vacuum sealing them will multiply the time they stay fresh.
Our recommendation: The BronKitchen Vacuum Sealer, the same one we recommend in our guide to keeping food fresh in summer.
3 Habits That Make It Easier to Get Back into a Routine
- Cut and store vegetables as soon as you get back from shopping —that way, during the week, cooking is just a matter of sautéing or boiling, not chopping.
- Dedicate 1-2 hours on the weekend to preparing 2-3 bases (rice, cooked legumes, grilled protein) that you can combine differently each day.
- Don't overcomplicate variety at first: it's easier to stick to the habit with 4-5 simple recipes to rotate than with a new menu every day.
Conclusion
Getting back into a routine doesn't have to mean going back to eating worse. With a portable chopper to speed up preparation and good containers to organize your meal prep, healthy weekday cooking stops being a chore. If you want to keep equipping your kitchen, don't miss our complete guide to kitchen gadgets.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gadgets for Getting Back into a Routine
Which gadgets help most with maintaining a healthy diet when you have little time?
A portable electric chopper to speed up ingredient preparation and stackable airtight containers to organize your weekly meal prep are the two gadgets that save the most time in everyday life, without the need for large or complicated appliances.
How much time should I dedicate to weekly meal prep?
With 1-2 hours on the weekend dedicated to preparing 2-3 bases (rice, cooked legumes, grilled protein), you'll have enough to combine different meals for several days during the week, without having to cook from scratch every day.
Is vacuum sealing necessary for meal prep, or are regular containers enough?
It's not essential, but it helps quite a bit if you prepare food for more than 3-4 days: vacuum sealing extends how long food stays fresh in the refrigerator, while a regular container is sufficient for consumption within 2-3 days.
