Are Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot Meals Healthy?

 According to registered dietitian Beth Czerwony, MS, RD, CSOWM, LD, cooking in a "instant pot" or pressure cooker is a terrific way to prepare food on many levels, including nutritionally.

“Instant pot recipes are perfectly nutritious as long as you use healthy ingredients,” she explains.

When compared to other forms of cooking that take longer, the shorter cooking time may result in better vitamin and mineral preservation.

“This method of cooking is especially advantageous for those who have a busy lifestyle but still want to eat healthy in a more efficient manner - you get the best of both worlds,” Czerwony adds.

While nutritionists agree that pressure cooking maintains a higher level of nutritional retention, many others think that this form of food preparation also improves taste and texture.

Czerwony adds that it's also crucial to consider the type of meal that would benefit the most from this method of cooking, such as soups, stews, or dishes made with whole grain or brown rice. (For example, if you want to enjoy a simple plate of brilliant green broccoli, a pressure cooker may not be the greatest solution.)

There is also a financial benefit to utilising a pressure cooker device because more individuals are cooking at home. Meat pieces that are less expensive and dried beans that can easily be cooked in this type of device are more budget-friendly.

When you don't feel like cooking but still want to keep nutrition and flavour, cooking in bulk and freezing it for later can assist. This also aids portion control, resulting in fewer food waste.

Other advantages come with some quick pot models. A sous vide option is available on one model. This is a method of cooking meat in a warm water bath for a long time, but with all of the cooking done in the bag. All you have to do now is add some grill marks to the meat and you're done. On some models, air frying is an option, which eliminates the need for additional equipment and saves counter space.

“There are numerous advantages to using an instant pot for cooking. Just remember that the healthiest recipes start with healthy components, so start with nutritious ingredients and simply alter the cooking process to fit your instant pot,” she says.