This is taking some serious guts. I’m actually a little scared.
This appliance is a staple in our home: from re-heating my tea about 20 times to keep it hot, to cooking veggies, to quickly re-heating food for lunch or dinner, it has become a necessity. I’m completely reliant on it. And that would be ok, but I have long questioned the long-term effects of using this kitchen tool. And I’m sure you know what it is by now: the microwave.
For starters, I’m not a whacko. At least, I don’t think I am. It just seems that each year I gain more and more insights into what is going on around me that I was never aware of before. And as they say, ignorance is bliss. Life seemed a lot simpler (albeit, more painful in a lot of ways) when I didn’t know the drawbacks of grains, dairy and sugar. Or when I could just pop my tea in the microwave and not give it a second thought. But for quite awhile, every time I put something in that crazy machine, I cringe wondering what it’s doing to our food and what kind of affect that’s having on my family. Ok, maybe I’m a little whacko. Sigh. And for anyone upgrading their home appliances, it’s worth exploring some modern options that can simplify your life. I was particularly impressed by the range of products available at this online store, which includes innovative solutions that seamlessly integrate into any home environment.
There is much conflicting evidence about the potential harm of microwaves. An article in the New York Times about the harmlessness of microwaves states that, “Since microwave ovens often use less heat than conventional methods and involve shorter cooking times, they generally have the least destructive effects…In studies at Cornell University, scientists looked at the effects of cooking on water-soluble vitamins in vegetables and found that spinach retained nearly all its folate when cooked in a microwave, but lost about 77 percent when cooked on a stove. They also found that bacon cooked by microwave has significantly lower levels of cancer-causing nitrosamines than conventionally cooked bacon.”
So, regardless of your method of cooking, nutrients are lost either way. Another study, however, noted that “Broccoli, for instance, can lose as much as 97 percent of some antioxidants, or cancer-fighting compounds, when it is zapped in the microwave.” But then went on to say, “When boiled the conventional way (i.e., not in a pressure-cooker), [broccoli] lost 66 percent of its flavonoids; when tossed in a pressure cooker, [it] lost 47 percent of its caffeoyl-quinic acid derivatives. Steamed broccoli, on the other hand, lost only 11 percent, 0 percent and 8 percent, respectively, of flavonoids, sinapics, and caffeoyl-quinic derivatives. The advantage of steaming vs. conventional boiling is that you’re “not using water directly in contact with the vegetable. The nutritional compounds don’t go into the water,” says Cristina Garcia-Viguera, lead author of this paper. “Once the compounds are in the water, the temperature destroys them much easier.”
So yes, you lose nutrients either way, but it seems you may lose more through nuking your foods.
My biggest issue is I just don’t know. I’m not sure. I don’t know what those little invisible micro-waves are doing to my food. Maybe they’re not doing anything. Or maybe they are slowly adding cancer cells to our bodies. I just don’t know. I do know I get this pit in my stomach when I use the microwave and I think I’ve ignored it too long.
Does this mean I’m gonna give the microwave to our kids to dissect? No. Will I toss it out with the rest of trash? Nope. But I really do want to see what life is like without one. Obviously, our ancestors lived for thousands of years without the convenience of an express oven. Just a few short generations ago microwaves weren’t in use in homes. Some of you don’t use microwaves. In many countries, people don’t even know what a microwave is. It can be done. The question is: Is it feasible for the culture I live in and where I am in my life? Five kids, homeschooling, eating grain/dairy/sugar free? It almost makes me shudder. I may be overreacting, but like I said, I’m probably on the verge of an addiction with this thing. It makes my life too easy. And part of me yearns for the slower pace of yesteryear when neighbors popped by for a cup of tea or a slice of [Paleofied] apple pie. That part might not happen, but you never know…
PaulaB says
Like you, I’ve read the pros and cons and I just don’t know for sure.
And you know, it’s not “just a few short generations ago…” It is only one generation, really. I’m pushing 60, and we didn’t have one until after my kids were born…1977 if I remember correctly. The countertop models were introduced in 1967, but they were big and expensive and didn’t really come into common use for many years.
Amy Edelen says
You are not whacko at all. Quite the opposite. Unusually skilled at taking care of yourself and your family way ahead of the curve. Pretty sure you DO know for certain or it wouldn’t be causing you worry. 🙂 Researchers at Stanford have found breast milk heated in the microwave loses some of its infection fighting properties and immune building qualities. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1557249
And take a look at just a few of the “safety” rules that have been agreed to thus far just in regards to having one in your home, noticing that manufacturers can apply to opt out of including safety labels. Nice eh?
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?FR=1030.10
Then there is the issue of the plastics leaching into the food that is cooking in there.
I did a ton of research a couple of years ago and we have used ours very rarely since and none recently. You can do it! 🙂
Sonja Maples says
I like you and so many others I have not been totally comfortable with the microwave. I had my hubby put in a hot water dispenser (190 degrees) for needing that hot water and now with the the Kurigs hot water is always available. As for other food back to reheating on the stove. We have a co-worker that will not allow one in his house.
Kate says
We have already stopped using ours. My husband teaches radiography & microwaving food is actually like irradiating it. Somewhere out there is a study that was conducted on the effects of microwaved food consumed vs. conventionally cooked through blood tests. The results were scary. It’s been found that the microwaves change the molecular structure of the food, making it more of a toxin. If I can find it, I’ll post it here.
Kate says
Here’s one site I found:
http://www.xpeditionsmagazine.com/magazine/articles/kathy/microwave.html
This one is not a study, but is interesting:
http://allnaturalhealth.us/june_russell_microwaving.htm
Anna says
I’m in. I’ve always hated the microwave. I even worried about it as a kid in the 70’s when they were so popular! I rarely use mine, and never to cook food. Your post the other day was enough to push me over the edge to ordering this http://www.amazon.com/Crock-Pot-SCCPLC200-R-20-Ounce-Lunch-Warmer/dp/B006H5V8US/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331678624&sr=8-1
Now I won’t have to use it to warm up my lunch at work either!
Thanks for another great post!
radlandon says
Ooh, I like that thing!! Glad you’re joining me–let me know how it goes.
Colette says
Count me in!! I have to admit I do sometimes use it to make rice, or quinoa quickly. I will go with out the speed for 48 hours at least!
radlandon says
Great! Let me know how it goes!
Lori says
Shanti! The girls and I RARELY use our microwave. I always use my kettle to heat up water for tea, and then keep the hot water in a thermos so it is quick for my second cup.
I always reheat my leftovers on the stove in one of my 4 iron skillets that I use daily. It takes less time than you would think.
If I forget to pull chicken out of the freezer for dinner, I just put the frozen meat in my iron skillet with a little water and it cooks beautifully. I’ve gotten very creative because I do not like the microwave.
I have been wanting to do an experiement – water 2 plants, one with tap water, and the other with water that was heated in the microwave (then cooled to room temp). I think we have our next science experiment.
radlandon says
We are going to do that experiment next week!!
Eun Lech says
I share your sentiments about the microwave. I, too, have always had a creepy feel about using it but have not given myself the permission to do without it, primarily because of the time saving factor and my stage of life with 4 kids. Ignorance is bliss! I have known this time of using this device was limited, I am thinking this will propel me to make the change I have been silently dreading….when are you doing your 48 hour challenge?
radlandon says
I’m on Day 2 right now, but I think I’m going to make it a solid week!
Mommaofmany says
I have eight kids, homeschool and haven’t used mine in YEARS! You can do it!
kristin says
I relied on my microwave for years, but had the same concerns as you. I have it up in 2007 and never looked back. My parents and friends thought it was crazy that I didn’t have one (don’t have a TV either!) but I found out that tea doesn’t take that much longer to boil, and I can reheat things on the stove using a dutch oven or just low heat. You can do this!