Healthy eating is a diet which involves not only eating healthy but also knowing how to cook healthy dishes. Steaming is one of the simplest and healthiest ways of preparing different types of dishes. This is a simple and almost foolproof cooking method which helps one avoid overcooked or burned food and preserves the flavor and nutrients of the ingredients. This cooking style involves the use of a food steamer. Different types of this kitchen appliance are available in the market which makes it quite difficult the best one to choose.

Food steamers are also known as steam cookers and cooks food through the use of steam. It limits the escape of steams and liquid as it is usually in an air sealed vessel form. This appliance also usually has two compartments essential for cooking. One slot holds the boiling water which produces the steam. The other compartment holds the food and can have more than two stacks.

The secret behind steamers is the steam produces by the boiling water. This process removes the need to fry or boil the food which removes 35% to 85% of nutrients found in food. Steaming compared to other cooking methods removes only 15% of nutrients and minerals and is preferred by many health conscious individuals.

There are different types of food steamers available in the market which can be chosen from. One of the most popular types of food steamers is the stainless steel steamer or stove top steamer. This type has a steamer tray which can be taken and inserted into a pot that has water filled at the bottom. This is best for cooking vegetables and can steam small and large quantities. The second type is the bamboo steamer which can cook any type of food but the most popular cooked in it is Asian food like dumplings. This comes with a slotted bottom and a dome-like lid to effectively steam and cook food evenly. This is also effective in cooking vegetables and rice and is simple and easy to use. The last type is the electric food steamer which prepares food fast with the convenience of modern living. Most models have a “scenter screen” allow you to jazz up food with herbs and spices and dividers, so you can steam 2 or more different kinds of food at one time.

Many advantages are also available for food steamer users. The main advantage of this appliance is the health benefits it offers to users. Nutrients in food are trapped and sealed within the ingredients as steamers have juice catchment facilities. Frying and boiling are also eliminated which are the main reason for nutrients loss. Different diets including CRON-diet, macrobiotic-diet, and Okinawa diet also make use of steamed dishes. Lastly, the kitchen can be kept cool even during the summers with steamers as they circulate less heat in the kitchen’s environment.

Food steamers are definite must haves in any homes kitchen. There are plenty of steamer types sold in the market, ranging from common bamboo to ultra-modern electronic steamers, designed with sensors. Choosing the best one is a matter of personal choice but it would be wise to pick a well known brand name you can trust.

Stewart Logan is a hotel chef from Germany. One of Logan’s specialties is creating tasty and healthy steamed food with the used of his food steamer or “Miele Dampfgarer“, as he calls it German.