Six of the best: For a healthy start
Hotpoint SJ 15XL UP0 Slow Juicer, £119.99, Amazon (just launching)
Juicers provide an easy way to achieve your five-a-day and they were of course a big hit in 2015. Hotpoint’s latest model will see the trend continue. The basis of this model is that the bladeless technology and low speed motor (50rpm) will help you get more nutrients and vitamins from your juicer as the fruit and veg go through a more gentle process allowing more vitamins and nutrients to be squeezed into your drink. On top of that, there is less waste produced and Hotpoint estimate you’ll get 30% more juice from this model than others on the market.
The multi-purpose gadget
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdDe’Longhi Multifry Extra Chef, £259.98, De’Longhi, www.delonghi.com
If you are unable to resist the lure of the humble chip, this device will ensure that a plateful of the potato treat won’t automatically mean you’ll be consuming your body weight in calories or fat. With this machine, you can cook up a batch of 1.7kg of chips using just 14ml of oil. The Multifry’s capabilities don’t end there. Cook up a batch of a winter warming stew or risotto, your own homemade pizza - without the additives you get in shop-bought ones - using the pan function or the air grill function.
Box clever
George Foreman Cream 18873 Family Grill, currently priced £33.19, Amazon, www.amazon.co.uk
With their tag line of ‘The Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine’, the George Foreman grill has proved to be an ever-present kitchen accessory since launching in 1994. If you’re yet to invest in one, you may be wondering what the hype is about. Well, not only does it cook your food swiftly, but the angled plate allows the excess fat and grease from your dishes to channel away into a drip tray. In fact, they estimate that it will reduce the fat content of some food by up to 42%. This model is great for families as it allows you to cook five portions at a time.
On the go
Mix & Go, £29.99, Russell Hobbs, uk.russellhobbs.com
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAnother quick and easy-to-use smoothie maker, this blender will suit those who live a busy lifestyle and don’t feel they have time to sit down for breakfast. Place your ingredients in one of the two portable bottles, screw the blade unit on, turn it upside down and attach it to the motor unit. Then just press down on top of the bottle - when the machine senses pressure it’ll whirl into action, quickly making up your favourite blend. Also, you can replace the blade unit with the drink lid and go out and about!
Weigh it up
Terraillon’s Nutritab Scale, £79.99, Lakeland
To the naked eye this is a set of fancy kitchen scales, however, delve a little deeper and you’ll discover an assistant to help you stay on course for your healthy eating plan. The scales pair up with it’s own wellness app so that you can check the nutritional information - including fat and fibre content and the calories - of all the ingredients as you weigh them. Use the app to store the data and create different profiles. Requires three AAA batteries.
Homemade is best
Cuisinart Soup Maker Plus, £140, Cuisinart, www.cuisinart.co.uk
Nothing tastes quite so nourishing as a homemade soup. However, they can become quite cumbersome to make, with lots of pots, pans and a blender/food processer required. It’s enough to leave you running to the supermarket for a shop-bought one. This soup maker though will make the creative process far simpler. Cook the ingredients, add your stock, blitz it all up and keep it warm without breaking into a sweat. You’ll be in control of what goes into your soup - so no additives or preservatives unless you want them - and the hearty dish you create will leave you full up so you won’t be reaching for the snack jar.
APP OF THE WEEK
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdStrides: Goals & Habits Tracker + SMART Goal Setting, free, iTunes
Whatever your New Year’s resolution, this is the app for you! Use the dashboard to keep an eye on how you’re improving - whether you’re trying to save money or get your full eight hours every night!
TOP 10 BEST SELLING IPHONE APPS
1. Heads Up! by Warner Bros.
2. Football Manager Mobile 2016 by SEGA
3. Cut The Rope Magic by ZeptoLab UK Limited
4. Minecraft: Pocket Edition by Mojang
5. Facetune by Lightricks Ltd.
6. My Water Balance - Hydration daily tracker & drink water reminder b y Viktor Sharov
7. Neo Monsters by NTT Resonant Inc.
8. The Official DVSA Theory Test Kit for Car Drivers by TSO (The Stationery Office)
9. MONOPOLY Game by Electronic Arts
10. Plague Inc. by Ndemic Creations
TOP 10 FREE IPHONE APPS
1. Pixduel Inc. by Ndemic Creations
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad2. Piano Tiles 2 (Don’t Tap The White Tile 2) by Cheetah Technology Corporation Limited
3. WhatsApp Messenger by WhatsApp Inc.
4. Messenger by Facebook, Inc.
5. Facebook by Facebook, Inc.
6. Instagram Instagram, Inc.
7. YouTube by Google, Inc.
8. Snapchat by Snapchat, Inc.
9. The Walls by Ketchapp
10. Soccer Star 2016 World Legend by Genera Mobile