7 kitchen organization mistakes that prevent you from eating well and how to fix them

And of course, above all, you must equip the kitchen well. After all, this is where you cook and food is a very important part of your lifestyle. Here are the mistakes nutrition experts say we make most often when it comes to this spot.

Chaos in the kitchen leads to disorder in the mind, says Rachel Maher, founder of the healthy food delivery service. “Every object we see sends a signal to our brain. How do you feel when you look at a sink overflowing with dirty dishes or a refrigerator door full of sticky bottles of sauces you don’t use? “It’s unlikely to be enthusiasm, but rather fatigue and a feeling of not being able to handle staff turnover,” she says.

Lenny Vartanian, Ph.D., agrees with Rachel: His research shows that a cluttered kitchen makes women eat more. “I imagine they are wondering: Since everything is out of control, why should I hold back? – he says. According to the scientist, cleaning is not only a question of hygiene: it allows us to have a different attitude not only towards the space around us, but also towards ourselves.

“The workspace is the main ‘real estate’ of the home, adding to its value to us. It’s very annoying to constantly have to put things aside to get to work. The inability to make space to cook is one of the main reasons we choose foods that are easier to prepare, like processed or ultra-processed foods, over healthy foods,” says Rachel. She advises to analyze all errors in the organization and arrangement of the workspace – this will help you use it effectively.

Read also: From lack of lighting in the kitchen to inconvenient arrangement of utensils and dishes: 10 mistakes that experts advise avoiding

A blender for preparing smoothies, a multicooker for porridges and stews, a juicer for fresh juices… To maintain a healthy lifestyle, you need household appliances. Each housewife will have her own set – some will be able to get by with a chopper, a good knife and a cutting board, others will need a food processor.

Whatever is included in your minimum gadgets, they should be arranged in such a way that you can get them in seconds. “Having these items on hand will help you prepare the meal you need with minimal time and effort,” says nutritionist, blogger and author McKell Hill.

“Remember the cardinal rule of healthy eating: out of sight, out of mind,” says nutritionist Megan Denos. “Keep the foods you need out of your head in hard-to-reach places. If you have to use a stepladder every time to get a bag of chips out, you’ll be less likely to eat them.”

His colleague, nutritionist Andres Ayesta, adds: “It’s not enough to stock up on ‘good foods’, they need to be front and center in your fridge and as accessible as possible. Place a bowl of washed fruit on the table, chop the vegetables and place them in a clear container, and keep some hummus or lentil spread on hand. Move what doesn’t fit in your diet to the back wall: cluttering food in the refrigerator helps us reduce our consumption.”

“In the case of good nutrition, a dysfunctional kitchen utensil storage system starts with difficult access to measuring spoons, cups and scales. People often underestimate how much they eat, so you need tools to measure how much butter you add to your salad or cereal you eat for breakfast, says Lisa Young, nutritionist and author from Finally full, finally weightless.

“The best advice I can give you is to keep the utensils you use every day close at hand. Keep a cutting board, a good set of knives, and a pot and pan handy. Consider an extra open shelf, for example, that will become a station for that ‘quick-response’ kit,” recommends McKell.

Just leaving dishes in the sink or not cleaning up a small mess in the kitchen means that using them next time requires strong willpower. Return items to their places after cooking, wipe the surfaces, close the trash can to avoid unpleasant odors – and the next time you will approach the stove with pleasure and without defeating yourself.

If you don’t like cooking, that’s also a disadvantage. Food storage is important, but so is atmosphere: arrange the space so that you feel comfortable. “For example, I really like fresh flowers: there is always a bouquet in a vase on the table. Choose something that makes you happy and see how your attitude toward cooking changes,” says McKell.

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