Microwave yes or no? ?

124

Replies

  • Sp1tfire
    Sp1tfire Posts: 1,120 Member
    Microwaves are just another way to heat food. I'm glad you're off that program. They make access to good food easier. Oatmeal, soups, steamable veggies, etc. I think a lot of the logic behind microwaves being bad for you comes from the fact that it also makes 'unhealthy' food a lot easier for people to get in quick, large quantities. (these foods aren't necessarily bad- but some people eat them over their calorie limit just because its easier to access)
  • JetJaguar
    JetJaguar Posts: 801 Member
    edited August 2017
    This thread reminds me of my MIL, who is deathly afraid of microwave ovens, because "radiation". My in-laws live with us, and our microwave is built into the cabinet above the stove. It's funny to microwave something when she is cooking - she will quickly turn everything off and run out of the kitchen. Then she'll yell at me for standing in front of the microwave, because I'll get cancer. :)

    She doesn't understand science, her world is one of magic and superstition. Microwaves don't cause cancer, the radiation isn't ionizing. The wavelengths are too long. If they did, then cooking at the stove would be even more dangerous, because the infrared heat coming off the stove top is shorter in wavelength and more energetic. But according to her, that's heat, not "radiation".
  • GottaBurnEmAll
    GottaBurnEmAll Posts: 7,722 Member
    katadx wrote: »
    Microwaves are just another way to heat food. I'm glad you're off that program. They make access to good food easier. Oatmeal, soups, steamable veggies, etc. I think a lot of the logic behind microwaves being bad for you comes from the fact that it also makes 'unhealthy' food a lot easier for people to get in quick, large quantities. (these foods aren't necessarily bad- but some people eat them over their calorie limit just because its easier to access)

    Oh yes! Oatmeal! It is so much easier making old-fashioned oatmeal in the microwave than on the stove top. No standing there stirring, no pot to wash. I also love it for making buckwheat cereal too.
  • sgt1372
    sgt1372 Posts: 3,997 Member
    edited August 2017
    I just use my microwave to heat water or reheat leftovers.

    Never use it to actually "cook" anything.
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    edited August 2017
    finny11122 wrote: »
    finny11122 wrote: »
    I love cooking and turning a bunch of ingredients into something amazing . Only proper cooking techniques can get those great results . You want top quality food , you got to put in the time and effort .
    Cutting open a preservative laden ready meal and dumping it into a microwave is not exactly healthy eating .


    Would warming up the same meal in the oven make it any better? If not, your point is moot. :)

    No . Cheap ready meals are bad in an oven or microwave . People come to this site to eat healthier and lose weight . Cooking from scratch with good healthy ingredients is a million times better and tastier than any microwave food . I bet you have alot of - I am Nino moments in your kitchen .

    That's just untrue.

    with the exception of sodium(which is only a concern if it's a concern) There's nothing inherently superior about cooking vegetables or meat on the stovetop vs a microwave.

    Typical dinner is 2x
    https://www.samsclub.com/sams/quick-n-eat-fully-cooked-choice-angus-patties-12ct/178397.ip

    1x https://www.walmart.com/ip/Green-Giant-Steamers-Cheesy-Rice-Broccoli-12-oz-Bag/10813709

    1x https://www.birdseye.com/product/mixed-vegetables-4/

    Plus a couple slices cheese.

    What's unhealthy(other than the red meat... spare me the sermon)

    I've lost 20+ lbs and gotten faster and stronger...

    I'm living in a tiny basement apartment due to a work situation and this meal has been absolutely a key component of my weight loss.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    My sister has this great way of cooking asparagus in the microwave that tastes as good as other methods. I don't do it that way because I am used to doing what I do, but her asparagus is no less nutritious than mine.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    My sister has this great way of cooking asparagus in the microwave that tastes as good as other methods. I don't do it that way because I am used to doing what I do, but her asparagus is no less nutritious than mine.

    Would you mind asking if she'll share her secret? If so, either post here or DM me, please? I haven't had success with asparagus in the microwave at all - sauteing or broiling has worked well, though. Since only I eat it at my house, it's not something I get often, as I probably won't cook all of it before it goes bad. But, if I could microwave it, I might be able to do so as part of lunch at work.
  • rheddmobile
    rheddmobile Posts: 6,840 Member
    TR0berts wrote: »
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    My sister has this great way of cooking asparagus in the microwave that tastes as good as other methods. I don't do it that way because I am used to doing what I do, but her asparagus is no less nutritious than mine.

    Would you mind asking if she'll share her secret? If so, either post here or DM me, please? I haven't had success with asparagus in the microwave at all - sauteing or broiling has worked well, though. Since only I eat it at my house, it's not something I get often, as I probably won't cook all of it before it goes bad. But, if I could microwave it, I might be able to do so as part of lunch at work.

    If you like that roasted flavor from browning, you really can't get that in the microwave. But if you want to duplicate steaming, put it on a plate with a small amount of water, invert another plate on top, microwave from one to about five minutes depending on the amount of food and your microwave strength.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    No. Steamed asparagus sucks.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    I think she just puts them in a shallow bowl and wraps them loosely in a wet paper towel. It's a form of steaming. (I like asparagus steamed, but usually sautee them.)
  • stormcrow2
    stormcrow2 Posts: 33 Member
    I use my microwave to thaw frozen meat...

    I forgot about that! I do this all the time, too. I used to have to defrost meat in the fridge or on the counter all day in order to have it be thawed by dinnertime. And I can't tell you the number of times I've taken out pork chops for dinner in the morning and then not actually felt like having porkchops when dinnertime rolled around.

    By using the microwave, the meat stays safely frozen and I can decide right before dinner what's for dinner. ;)

    An InstantPot is great for this as well. Just dump them in frozen.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    finny11122 wrote: »
    finny11122 wrote: »
    I love cooking and turning a bunch of ingredients into something amazing . Only proper cooking techniques can get those great results . You want top quality food , you got to put in the time and effort .
    Cutting open a preservative laden ready meal and dumping it into a microwave is not exactly healthy eating .


    Would warming up the same meal in the oven make it any better? If not, your point is moot. :)

    No . Cheap ready meals are bad in an oven or microwave . People come to this site to eat healthier and lose weight . Cooking from scratch with good healthy ingredients is a million times better and tastier than any microwave food . I bet you have alot of - I am Nino moments in your kitchen .

    What if I buy expensive ready meals?

    Seriously though, I know a lot of healthy people that eat microwave meals regularly. Like every day regularly.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    JetJaguar wrote: »
    This thread reminds me of my MIL, who is deathly afraid of microwave ovens, because "radiation". My in-laws live with us, and our microwave is built into the cabinet above the stove. It's funny to microwave something when she is cooking - she will quickly turn everything off and run out of the kitchen. Then she'll yell at me for standing in front of the microwave, because I'll get cancer. :)

    She doesn't understand science, her world is one of magic and superstition. Microwaves don't cause cancer, the radiation isn't ionizing. The wavelengths are too long. If they did, then cooking at the stove would be even more dangerous, because the infrared heat coming off the stove top is shorter in wavelength and more energetic. But according to her, that's heat, not "radiation".

    I had an aunt who used to tell me I was killing my children by warming their bottles in the microwave. They all survived.
  • mph323
    mph323 Posts: 3,565 Member
    finny11122 wrote: »
    finny11122 wrote: »
    I love cooking and turning a bunch of ingredients into something amazing . Only proper cooking techniques can get those great results . You want top quality food , you got to put in the time and effort .
    Cutting open a preservative laden ready meal and dumping it into a microwave is not exactly healthy eating .


    Would warming up the same meal in the oven make it any better? If not, your point is moot. :)

    No . Cheap ready meals are bad in an oven or microwave . People come to this site to eat healthier and lose weight . Cooking from scratch with good healthy ingredients is a million times better and tastier than any microwave food . I bet you have alot of - I am Nino moments in your kitchen .

    What if I buy expensive ready meals?

    Seriously though, I know a lot of healthy people that eat microwave meals regularly. Like every day regularly.

    This would be me. My frozen meals often have 15 - 20 grams of protein (which is my focus right now) for around 300 calories. Last week I had a lean Cuisine chicken in sweet BBQ sauce that had 20 grams protein for 280 calories. Can't say that's unhealthy.
  • GottaBurnEmAll
    GottaBurnEmAll Posts: 7,722 Member
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    I think she just puts them in a shallow bowl and wraps them loosely in a wet paper towel. It's a form of steaming. (I like asparagus steamed, but usually sautee them.)

    That's how I cook mine.
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,013 Member
    mph323 wrote: »
    finny11122 wrote: »
    finny11122 wrote: »
    I love cooking and turning a bunch of ingredients into something amazing . Only proper cooking techniques can get those great results . You want top quality food , you got to put in the time and effort .
    Cutting open a preservative laden ready meal and dumping it into a microwave is not exactly healthy eating .


    Would warming up the same meal in the oven make it any better? If not, your point is moot. :)

    No . Cheap ready meals are bad in an oven or microwave . People come to this site to eat healthier and lose weight . Cooking from scratch with good healthy ingredients is a million times better and tastier than any microwave food . I bet you have alot of - I am Nino moments in your kitchen .

    What if I buy expensive ready meals?

    Seriously though, I know a lot of healthy people that eat microwave meals regularly. Like every day regularly.

    This would be me. My frozen meals often have 15 - 20 grams of protein (which is my focus right now) for around 300 calories. Last week I had a lean Cuisine chicken in sweet BBQ sauce that had 20 grams protein for 280 calories. Can't say that's unhealthy.

    That's a good one, in my regular rotation. I think my fave is the Fiesta Grilled Chicken, I add a little hot sauce and a serving of frozen mixed veggies. There are a bunch now with 19-22g of protein, but those two are regulars for me :)
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    edited August 2017
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    I think she just puts them in a shallow bowl and wraps them loosely in a wet paper towel. It's a form of steaming. (I like asparagus steamed, but usually sautee them.)

    We have a steamer that's made for use in the microwave. It has a tray for the veggies/whatever, which has holes in the bottom and you put water in the bottom below the tray. The lid has a sliding vent on top. Put water in, put veggies in, put it in the microwave and hit the sensor "reheat" button, voila. We steam veggies (zucchini, brussels sprouts, asparagus, broccoli, etc.) in the microwave several times per week, it works great. Looks exactly like this:

    iinp1hqyok36.jpg


    [ETA:] We also use the microwave to slightly warm up/soften Halo Top ice cream for dessert afterward! :D