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.

Steam produced by the boiling water is the reason why food is easily cooked in a food steamer. This method removes the need for using cooking oil in frying and soaking food in water just like in boiling. Both methods mentioned removed the nutrients and minerals in food which makes them less healthy. Studies also proved that steaming reduces only 15% of nutrients in food while frying, boiling and other cooking methods remove 25% – 85% of nutrients. Color, texture and nutritional benefits lost through other preparation methods are retained and kept in steaming.

There are mainly three types of food steamer available in the market, namely, stainless steel steamer, bamboo steamer and electric food steamer. The first type which is the stainless steel steamer is also widely known as stove top steamer. This type has a steamer tray found t the bottom and filled with water which can be taken and inserted into a pot. Small and large quantities of vegetables are the most common food cooked with this type. A bamboo steamer is another type of food steamer which is mostly used in Asian dishes. Food is cooked evenly with this type as it has a slotted bottom and a dome-like lid which effectively steam dishes. Finally, we have the electric food steamer which is the most convenient and fastest among the three types. This is incorporated with different features such as the “scenter screen” and dividers which allows one to jazz up food with herbs and spices and help steam 2 or more different kinds of food at one time respectively.

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.

Any home kitchen will not be complete without a food steamer, may it be a common bamboo type or an ultra-modern electronic one complete with sensors. It’s a matter of personal choice as to which one you think is the best one.