Microwave ovens

**Korn** · May 10th, 2004, 09:30 AM

Hello friends, here's some bad news for those of you that rely on microwave ovens for cooking...

From http://ighawaii.com/naturally/newsletter/micro.html :

"Russian researchers reported a marked acceleration of structural degradation leading to a decreased food value of 60 to 90% in all foods tested. Among the changes observed were:
Deceased bioavailability of vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin E, essential minerals and lipotropics factors in all food tested."

From http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/m0I...2/print.jhtm7l
"Minerals, vitamins, and nutrients of all microwaved food are reduced or altered so that the human body gets little or no benefit, or the body absorbs altered compounds that cannot be broken down. "

From "Focus on Homocysteine and the Vitamins Involved In Its Metabolism" by Christina Bolander-Gouaille:

"It has recently been found that microwave heating may destroy as much as 30-40% of the vitamin B12 content in food (Watanabe et al. 1998). Microwave heating is also found to destroy natural folates even faster than conventional heating to the same temperature. [...] About 50% of natural folates are destroyed by conventional cooking, even of short duration. Steaming seems to result in less degradation (McKillop et al. 2001). Prolonged conventional heating also destroys B6 and B12 (Kilshaw et al 1982)."

**Korn** · May 10th, 2004, 11:03 PM

Here is another article about microwaves, Electro Magnetic Fields (EMF) and B12. "Scientific studies have proven EMF's increase the instance rate of NTD's." (NTD = Neural Tube Defects, a birth defect (http://www.rfsafe.com/ntd_emf.htm ). Each B12 molecule is built around a cobalt atom. Cobalt itself is naturally magnetic with unusually high permeability to magnetic fields. Just like EMF, lack of B12 is also associated with NTD. Could it be that the reason Electro Magnetic Fields can cause birth defects is that it distorts / destroys B12? John Coates, who runs this site, lost a child born with NTD, writes that "when my wife was pregnant with Angel Leigh, she was sitting in front of a 2 way microwave radio system for long periods at a time.". I don't know what the difference between microwaves in microwave owens and microwaves in radio systems is, but I've seen warnings against using microwave owens for years, not only related to their effect on nutrients in food.

**Veggie4Life139** · May 11th, 2004, 12:55 AM

That REALLY stinks...my life depends on the microwave for cooking...what else can I do???

Pooh · May 15th, 2004, 03:53 PM

How can your life depend on a microwave owen?

**cedarblue** · May 15th, 2004, 05:06 PM

Pooh

How can your life depend on a microwave owen?

maybe veggie4 doesn't have a regular stove?

**Veggie4Life139** · May 23rd, 2004, 07:14 PM

cedarblue

maybe veggie4 doesn't have a regular stove?

I do have a stove, and sometimes I use it, but I love vegetarian TV dinners and I'm very lazy, and if you've noticed, POOH, with microwaves all you have to do is punch in some numbers and wait for a while.

**webster** · May 25th, 2004, 01:21 PM

Veggie4Life139

I love vegetarian TV dinners and I'm very lazy

Have you found many/any vegetarian TV dinners that are vegan? It seems like every single one I have looked at contains milk, cheese, or egg, so I have basically given up looking.

**mattd** · Jun 28th, 2004, 07:50 AM

Veggie4Life139

I do have a stove, and sometimes I use it, but I love vegetarian TV dinners and I'm very lazy, and if you've noticed, POOH, with microwaves all you have to do is punch in some numbers and wait for a while.

You need to discover the joys of home cooking (using a microwave is NOT cooking). It's so relaxing, much tastier, and better for you.

Hi... "TV dinners" - what's that? Must be something American!

yeah, i'd imagine TV dinners are probably VERY american (we've perfected being lazy here). they just precooked fozen meals that you pop in the microwave and warm up. they're all pretty vile in my opinion.

**Sabster** · Jul 1st, 2004, 12:33 AM

There are plenty of vegan friendly convenience foods of the microwavable variety... they're also rather pricy .. running an average of $3+ a box. So, yeh they're out there.

I guess I should list a few... kind of forgot... Amy's makes a few that are vegan friendly (and the veg pizza is just ahhh good... even though it's oven friendly not microwavable )... and Ethnic Gourmet has a few (even though they also produce veg and non-veg varieties). And there's natural food stores and whole foods grocers that usually have things you can take home and reheat in the microwave. The later is going to depend on where you live. There are some burrito wraps out there too but they aren't that great.

I just don't think they warant the price in terms of quality. I'm usually about quality unless I'm really crunched for time. Another reason I don't eat out often... inflated prices... a product that's not that impressive or average.

ConsciousCuisine · Jul 21st, 2004, 04:50 PM

Toaster ovens are great. If you thaw out the frozen dinner in the refrigerator overnight, you can cook it in a toaster oven or regular oven in a short amount of time.... I have never owned a microwave. I know they are toxic. They emit toxic radiation! It makes sense if you think about how they heat food...

**slinkyvagabond** · Sep 2nd, 2004, 05:56 AM

Sabster

I guess I should list a few... kind of forgot... Amy's makes a few that are vegan friendly (and the veg pizza is just ahhh good... even though it's oven friendly not microwavable .

Amy's soy cheese something or other entrée is sold at the campus convenience store, and I got uber uber excited...until I saw in the bottom front corner, "CONTAINS A MILK PROTEIN."

**uww27225** · Sep 2nd, 2004, 03:12 PM

It seems that a lot of Amy's products are suitable only for lacto-vegitarians. Though her black bean burrito is vegan and good. I did purchase her cheese-less frozen pizza, but I haven't had it yet.

**Roxy** · Sep 11th, 2004, 06:20 AM

I love the Amy's cheese-less pizza. It's kinda sweet and oh so good! Just so you know, Amy's also make a lot of non-frozen organic goods which are vegan, including vegan soups and chillis. These can be found with the canned goods in any decent supermarket.

**uww27225** · Sep 13th, 2004, 06:10 PM

I wish I would've known that the pizza was going to be on the sweet side before I made it. It wasn't what I was expecting at all. Maybe that's why I didn't like it! *shrug* I have another one in the freezer, so maybe next time it'll be better since I'll know what to expect.

**Panda** · Sep 17th, 2004, 03:21 PM

I threw my microwave out the other day I haven't used it for months. and after reading enough articles about how bad it is I couldn't handle having one in the house.
My housemates weren't very impressed as they seem to depend on it.
Its for their own good.

wuggy · Sep 17th, 2004, 07:49 PM

Don't televisions emit radiation also?

ConsciousCuisine · Sep 17th, 2004, 08:12 PM

Yes...but they aren't used for "cooking" foods! I don't watch the Telly either...

wuggy · Sep 17th, 2004, 08:47 PM

No, I could certainly live without one, but I am outnumbered by TV addicts!

**Mystic** · Sep 18th, 2004, 03:14 AM

Being a student and all, a microwave is certainly a necessary appliance in my kitchen. I cook my oatmeal in it, I cook my rice in it, I thaw out frozen bread in it, I heat up leftover dinner in it...I would starve without it.

My stove is electric, so it is hard to cook food nicely with it - and it is messier. I don't have time for mess. It is faster as well, which is a very important factor for me.

I would say that my microwave is the most used appliance in my kitchen, followed by my rice cooker (which I cook one-pot dhal and legume dishes in).

Unless I am making stir fry, when I have cooked vegetables, they too are microwaved. To make quick baked or roasted potatoes/pumpkin/sweet potato, I nuke them first, then stick them in a pre-heated oven. I just don't have time.

I am aware of the dangers of the microwave, but I suppose everything is dangerous these days - TV, mobile phones, smoking or passive smoking, being in the sun, going to the solarium, (apparently) eating non-organic or GMO food - not sure if I agree with that one tho - so I am choosing to not worry. I gotta eat don't I?!!!!

**indianvegan** · Oct 29th, 2004, 05:56 PM

I do not own it.

Manish

tails4wagging · Oct 29th, 2004, 06:09 PM

Those Owen and why does anybody want to microwave him??. (sorry could'nt risist that one!!!

**Korn** · Oct 29th, 2004, 11:18 PM

Ok....

**TheFirstBus** · Oct 29th, 2004, 11:24 PM

Nope microwave ovens are not fun, not fun at all.

**MzNatural** · Oct 30th, 2004, 04:47 PM

I don't use it at all. I rarely use the cellular phone. I just keep it in case of emergencies. I don't watch television. I always buy organic.The only time I am on the computer is when I am working. I do work a lot.

Geoff · Oct 31st, 2004, 10:32 AM

tails4wagging

Those Owen and why does anybody want to microwave him??. (sorry could'nt risist that one!!!

Huh?

tails4wagging · Oct 31st, 2004, 11:14 AM

for Geoff--- Original thread said microwave owens!!.

Geoff · Oct 31st, 2004, 11:38 AM

So, was it meant to read: 'Who's Owen...?

tails4wagging · Oct 31st, 2004, 03:08 PM

oops yes!!!!!. My fingers tend to have senior moments!!!!!!!

**Korn** · Oct 31st, 2004, 03:33 PM

I'm glad it's not only my fingers
Kown

PinkFluffyCloud · Oct 31st, 2004, 03:49 PM

Why, Korn, which other parts of you also have senior moments??

**Korn** · Oct 31st, 2004, 07:43 PM

Ooops, I meant 'I'm glad it's not only my fingers'...

tails4wagging · Oct 31st, 2004, 10:15 PM

This thread is making me laugh

The mind boggles!!!!

1vegan · Jan 22nd, 2005, 04:30 PM

I don't have one, but on rare occasions I use one when I'm with some one who has one.

I've allways had some suspision against the concept of microwaving food.

"rubbing food parts against eachother till they are warm of the friction" , that's how I understand it, and it always looked so unnatural to me.

**Kiva Dancer** · Jan 24th, 2005, 11:49 PM

I was just reading something about this not too long ago and it seems that all cooking in one form or the other will compromise nutritional values. The author suggested that very short, high heat cooking is the best way in order to keep the values intact and that the food should never be heated above 400*F for baking and 118*F for cooking. That would not only make microwave ovens dangerious, it would also mean the same for stove top, grill top, and oven.

That being said, I rely heavily on my microwave but only for re-heating things. The rest of the time, I rely on stovetop or oven unless it's Summertime. Then I rely heavily on the grill.

**assilembob** · Jan 25th, 2005, 02:54 AM

I have to use them...i work and only get 10-20 mins for lunch. I can't eat sandwiches or salads everyday twice a day. (I am often at work until after 8 or 9 pm as well)

**Camyle26** · Feb 10th, 2005, 10:57 PM

heating food makes the food lose nutritional value for the most part ALWAYS whether it be mic or stove or toaster... only one or two veggies KEEP THEIR nutritional value when being heated... i learned that in nutrition classes...

i use the mic for everything .... lol OOPS... i suspect its not healthy though...

I found tons of "TV DINNERS" (as us americans call them)... We are lazy... listen to the song Lazy Boy "Underwear Inside the Pants" -- it hints to that theory. haha. its so true... he sings about drive throughs....

Amys has a ton of dinners. they are tiny though.

**TheFirstBus** · Feb 11th, 2005, 02:02 AM

oh camyle there are so many meals that take so little effort and you never even have to look in the microwaves direction.

**Camyle26** · Feb 11th, 2005, 02:54 PM

Really........ par example?!

PinkFluffyCloud · Feb 11th, 2005, 03:09 PM

Camyle26

Really........ par example?!

A bowl of fruit?
A salad?
LOL!

**TheFirstBus** · Feb 11th, 2005, 03:22 PM

you can make up a stir fry with little effort. And speaking of which if the food looses is nutirents when cooked you could do some raw stuff.

**Camyle26** · Feb 11th, 2005, 07:43 PM

True, true.... My problem is getting bored easy so I buy these vegan mic meals... all different and voila... din din in 3 mins. Oops... ok ok ill start cooking

i have to practice cooking to be a good mom/wife !

**TheFirstBus** · Feb 11th, 2005, 07:51 PM

Thats hogwash. You have to learn how to cook so you can have exellent meals that tastes great.

**Camyle26** · Feb 11th, 2005, 07:53 PM

Hahaha...... I know, I know. I know HOW to cook for the most part. Most of the things i DO make come out decent haha.... I just dont do it very often. I made pancakes yesterday! That counts... right?!

I'll try more frequently; keep you posted on my progress.!!!!!!

**TheFirstBus** · Feb 11th, 2005, 07:57 PM

haha good, good. Pancakes can count sure.

**Camyle26** · Feb 11th, 2005, 07:58 PM

Phew!

They were good, too.... with chocolate chips

vegan, of course.

**TheFirstBus** · Feb 11th, 2005, 08:06 PM

ever give a shot doing apples in them??

**Camyle26** · Feb 11th, 2005, 08:06 PM

No... how do you do that? Ill try it.

**TheFirstBus** · Feb 11th, 2005, 08:26 PM

well just prepare you batter as usual, but set your oven to broil then grab and apple and take the skin off the cut it and remove the core cut the rest into cubes but them in a little oil and broil them until the are a little soft on the side, this ensures that you will have soft apples in your pancakes. after they are a tad bit soft on the outside add them to the batter then mix and make your pancakes as usual with the apple in them. Another thing I sometimes do is to cover the apples in cinnamin then put them in the oven because when I put the cinnamin straight into the batter you can't really taste it. Anyway so yeah its not hard at all.