Step 1 to gearing up your Healthy Kitchen

Chef Devin Alexander, author of The Biggest Loser cookbooks, knows how important it is for calorie-conscious cooks to have the proper utensils in the kitchen. That's why Devin heartily recommends beginning with the basics: non-stick cookware.

"Non-stick pans allow you to cook with little to no oil, which is essential for cutting fat from your diet," Devin told the Biggest Loser Club. "Remember, just by cutting 100 calories from your diet per day, you can lose 10 pounds in a year."

"If you have to douse your pans with tons of oil or butter just to keep food from sticking to them, you are already killing your ability to indulge in something you'd truly enjoy. And that's before the actual food even gets into the pan."

However, Devin knows buying a new set of pots and pans is a luxury few of us can afford right now. "Try buying just one or two pans," says Devin. "I would start with a basic 10-inch non-stick skillet (aka frying pan) and a medium saucepan," says Devin.

If you're using bakeware and need to save up, improvise by lining regular cookie and baking sheets with parchment paper. They'll work similarly to having non-stick sheets.

Remember, cut out unnecessary oils and watch the pounds melt away! Happy cooking!