Kitchen and meal prep gear for tracking macros without the hassle
Sticking to a macro plan comes down to weighing, prepping and repeating. Here is the kitchen gear that makes that easier, and what is optional.
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Our picks
IllustrativeCosori 6.2 L air fryer with window
Cooking chicken, fish and vegetables with very little oil makes it easier to control calories and protein. The size fits several meal-prep portions in one go.
- Cooks with very little oil
- Fits several portions
- Basket is easy to clean
- Takes up counter space
Best for: Lose fat · General health · Build muscle
IllustrativeVitafit kitchen scale 15 kg, 1 g precision
Weighing raw is the only reliable way to stick to a macro plan: 100 g of cooked chicken can be 130 g raw depending on the method. The tare function makes it easy to weigh several ingredients in the same container.
- 1 g precision
- Tare function for weighing several ingredients
- Essential for hitting your macros
Best for: Lose fat · Build muscle
IllustrativeInstant Pot Duo Mini 3 L 7-in-1 multicooker
7-in-1 electric cooker (pressure, slow cook, rice, steam) for batch-cooking legumes, rice and chicken. Very handy for meal prep for one or two people.
- 7 functions in one appliance
- Cooks legumes and rice hands-off
- Compact size
- 3 qt is small for families
Best for: General health · Lose fat · Build muscle
IllustrativeKICHLY airtight glass food containers (9-pack)
Essential for weekly meal prep: having 2-3 meals ready on Sunday saves you decisions and keeps you from ordering takeout when you're short on time. Look for models with a secure lid that's microwave- and fridge-safe.
- Lets you cook once for 3-4 days
- Glass models last for years
- Microwave and fridge safe
Best for: Lose fat · Build muscle
IllustrativeBook: Vive más (Spanish edition) – longevity and nutrition
A very good book for learning how to lower your biological age and feel younger.
- Learning
- Reading
- Habits
Best for: General health
Illustrativenutribullet Pro 900 personal blender
Powerful single-serve blender for protein shakes, oats and frozen fruit. A good fit if you make breakfast or a post-workout shake every day.
- Powerful 900 W motor
- Very smooth texture
- Compact and easy to clean
- Single-serve cup only
Best for: Build muscle · Lose fat · General health
IllustrativeKonjac pasta
Pasta made from konjac, very low in calories and carbs. Perfect for curbing pasta cravings without breaking your diet.
- Texture
- Low calorie
- Taste
- Not the same as regular pasta
Best for: Lose fat
IllustrativeMyprotein shaker 600 ml
Mixing cup with a mesh or ball to dissolve whey without clumps. 600 ml leaves room to shake with water and/or milk without spilling. Essential if you use protein powder.
Best for: Build muscle
IllustrativeNinja Blast portable blender 18 oz
USB-rechargeable blender for protein shakes with fruit at home, the gym or the office. Handy if you don't want to carry a shaker plus a big blender.
- Rechargeable and easy to carry
- Crushes ice and frozen fruit
- Leak-proof lid with sip spout
- Small cup (18 oz)
Best for: Build muscle · Lose fat · Train at home
ThermoPro TP02S digital kitchen thermometer
Long-probe thermometer to check meat and fish are cooked through without overcooking. Useful for cooking protein safely at home.
- Fast temperature reading
- Long stainless steel probe
- Affordable
- Not waterproof
Best for: General health · Build muscle · Lose fat
Anova Precision vacuum sealer
Vacuum-sealing portions of chicken, meat or cooked meals extends their life in the fridge and freezer. Helps you cook once and eat all week.
- Slim and compact
- Handles wet and dry foods
- Reduces food waste
- Bags are a recurring cost
Best for: General health · Lose fat · Build muscle
Quick comparison
| Product | Type | Budget | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosori 6.2 L air fryer with window | Recommended | $$ | Lose fat, General health, Build muscle |
| Vitafit kitchen scale 15 kg, 1 g precision | Best value | $ | Lose fat, Build muscle |
| Instant Pot Duo Mini 3 L 7-in-1 multicooker | Recommended | $$ | General health, Lose fat, Build muscle |
| KICHLY airtight glass food containers (9-pack) | Recommended | $ | Lose fat, Build muscle |
| Book: Vive más (Spanish edition) – longevity and nutrition | Recommended | $ | General health |
| nutribullet Pro 900 personal blender | Recommended | $$ | Build muscle, Lose fat, General health |
| Konjac pasta | Recommended | $ | Lose fat |
| Myprotein shaker 600 ml | Best value | $ | Build muscle |
| Ninja Blast portable blender 18 oz | Best value | $$ | Build muscle, Lose fat, Train at home |
| ThermoPro TP02S digital kitchen thermometer | Best value | $ | General health, Build muscle, Lose fat |
| Anova Precision vacuum sealer | Top quality | $$ | General health, Lose fat, Build muscle |
How to choose
Start with what you will use every day: a kitchen scale and good containers. Those two cover most of the work; everything else is convenience.
On the scale, look for three things: a tare function (so you can weigh several ingredients in one bowl), 1 g precision, and enough capacity for your usual portions. Around 5 kg is plenty for most people; if you cook big batches, go higher.
- Scale: tare, 1 g precision, an easy-to-wipe platform and batteries or charging that will not leave you stuck.
- Containers: glass with an airtight lid, safe for microwave, fridge and dishwasher.
- Shaker: wide mouth, a lid that seals properly and a wire whisk or ball.
What actually matters (and what doesn't)
Weighing raw and doing it consistently matters most. A hundred grams of cooked chicken can correspond to noticeably more raw weight depending on how you cook it, so mixing the two quietly throws your numbers off.
You do not need a scale with an app, Bluetooth or a built-in food database: your tracking app already does that job. You also do not need to pay extra for a branded shaker; what counts is that it seals well and is easy to clean.
Glass is heavier than plastic, but it does not stain, hold odors or struggle with microwave heat. If you carry lunch to work every day, a lighter BPA-free plastic container may be worth the trade-off.
Which option fits you
If you are just starting to track macros, the budget-friendly, good-value scale is the priority purchase: without it, your grams are guesses. A budget pack of glass containers lets you cook two or three meals on Sunday and skip decisions when you are short on time.
The shaker only makes sense if you use protein powder; otherwise skip it. Konjac pasta is an optional tool for people who miss pasta while in a deficit: it adds very few calories, but also almost no protein or micronutrients, so use it as the base of a complete dish rather than a meal on its own.
The nutrition and longevity book is supplementary reading: it may motivate you, but it does not replace a scale or a properly calculated macro plan.
Usage tips
Always use the same scale, tare it with the container on, and log raw grams. Let food cool before sealing the lids and eat it within three to four days; freeze the rest. Rinse konjac pasta well before cooking to cut its smell.
Frequently asked questions
Should I weigh food raw or cooked?+
Raw is better, because package nutrition labels usually refer to the raw food and cooked weight changes with the water lost or absorbed. If you weigh cooked, use data for that exact state and stick to the same method.
How much capacity does a kitchen scale need?+
For individual portions, 5 kg is more than enough. If you cook big batches with the pot on top, more capacity helps. What matters is 1 g precision and a tare function.
Glass or plastic for meal prep?+
Glass does not stain or hold odors and is safe in the microwave and oven if the lid allows it, but it is heavier and can break. Plastic is lighter to carry. For storing and reheating at home, glass is usually the better choice.
Do I need a shaker if I do not take protein powder?+
No. It only helps you mix protein or other powdered supplements without lumps. If you do not use them, you can skip it with no effect on your results.