Myths and legends

[unixronin]

Everyone knows that microwave-cooked food isn't as nourishing, right?  Because microwaves destroy vitamins?  I've heard that one lots of times, and I'm sure you have too.

Turns out that not only is it not so, but the shoe's on the other foot.  You see, microwaves don't destroy vitamins.  What destroys vitamins is heat, and duration of heat.  Microwave ovens cook food more quickly than traditional cooking methods, and so they actually destroy less of the vitamins.

If you want to destroy the nutritional value of your vegetables, don't microwave them — boil them to mush.  You know, the traditional vegetable-cooking technique.

Comments

[laurarey.livejournal.com]

Interesting. I was unaware of the vitamin issue. I am much more aware of the question of proteins being altered by the microwaves so they become unusable by the human body.

Neither makes any difference in how I use the microwave. I can't stand the taste of meat, especially chicken, cooked in it.

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

I am much more aware of the question of proteins being altered by the microwaves so they become unusable by the human body.

That's a new one on me. Your body doesn't use the proteins intact anyway — your digestive system breaks them down into amino acids.