Comments on: To Microwave or Not to Microwave

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 20:32:59 +0000

Ruth, congratulations on your weight loss! I bet others will be glad to learn that you’re living a healthier lifestyle without relying too much on your microwave. As I mentioned, preparing vegetarian foods for just 1 person (me) in my house pushes me towards the microwave, but I am also trying to learn recipes for making veg. foods in larger quantities and relying on my conventional oven and stove rather than the ‘wave.

By the way, I can’t wait to check out Green Goes with Everything! =)

By: Jessica

Jessica — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:00:14 +0000

e&P, I love zapping sweet potatoes in the microwave, although I have to say that since learning about how microwaves can affect our food, I may rethink that one. It’s an ongoing job to live in a green and healthy way, isn’t it?

Also, Prasanna, I am glad to have posted this topic. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk more about microwaves and our food. I always learn more when my readers challenge me to dig deeper.

By: Prasanna

Prasanna — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:05:28 +0000

Thanks for the references. I am so glad you brought this to my attention.

By: e&p

e&p — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:13:34 +0000

I use the microwave to heat up leftovers and sometimes to bake potatoes (oh, the shame). In a pinch, I’ve used it to quickly cook veggies.

By: Ruth

Ruth — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:01:32 +0000

I recently gave up my microwave in favor of a counter-top convection oven. I lost almost 10 pounds in the first two weeks, just from not eating those packaged microwave dinners! I've been trying to practice more green living since reading Green Goes With Everything, and this is just one of the positive changes I've been able to make.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:36:28 +0000

Prasanna and Melanie, the resources I referenced for my “microwaving” research include Rebecca Ephraim’s “To Microwave or Not” at http://www.consciouschoice.com/2001/cc1411/healthconscious1411.html
as well as Mike Adam’s “Microwave Ovens Destroy the Nutritional Value of Your Food” at http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_6463.cfm

I hope that helps! Next time, I’ll be sure to list my sources. =)

By: Melanie O.

Melanie O. — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:52:21 +0000

I primarily use the microwave to “warm up” food (leftovers), not to cook it. The exception is frozen veges, I was under the impression that it was better to cook them in the microwave because you can use less water and, essentially, steam them, therefore preserving more vitamins. I, like Prasanna, didn’t know that the microwave zapped nutrients out of food. I, too, would love to know more.

By: Prasanna

Prasanna — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:35:47 +0000

Very interesting article, Greenmamma! I guess there are always 2 sides to every coin. I am curious how microwaves zap the nutrition out of food, and how long food must be microwaved to do that…Do you suggest any references for this?

By: Abbie

Abbie — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:37:49 +0000

I don’t frequently use my microwave. I will use it to warm up my hubby’s coffee or some maple syrup when I make pancakes, but other than that I tend to skip it. Oh, and sometimes I warm up leftovers, too.

I agree with you in terms of packaging. Those frozen meals that I used to be hooked on, thinking they were “healthy,” came with a lot of plastic. Now, I rarely buy them and instead will make my lunch. Not only does it seem more filling to me, but I’m convinced that it’s healthier, too, since the foods are fresh.

One thing I try to do is to use all that heat that my oven generates… for example, if I’m making something that has to bake for a while, I’ll make a pie or a crisp, too, to double up on the amount of food made with the same amount of energy from my oven. Also, I may make two of something and freeze one for later (like a lasagna). I try not to use the oven in the summer, because the house just gets too hot! But in the cold winter, I certainly don’t mind.