f you microwave your food for the rest of your life will you grow horns? This is something I often wonder as I “nuke” my breakfast every morning.
First, let’s look at a brief history of the microwave oven.
1946: Percy Spencer, an American Engineer, develops the “Radarange” microwave from Radar technology used in WW2.
1955: Raytheon, a major U.S. Defence Contractor, licenses its patents for a microwave oven that is designed specifically for home use. Tappan, an American Appliance company, tried to develop and sell the microwave but it was still too expensive and oversized for consumers.
1967: The first countertop ready microwave was sold by the Amana Corporation who dealt primarily in household appliances.
It cost $495, which would now be $4000 USD.
Shout out to Wikipedia for some very interesting facts on the beginnings of our modern day culinary friend.
Now that we know a little bit about the begins of the microwave let’s look at the most over-used statement I hear in regards to microwaving. “Microwaving kills your food.”
Does it?
I am naturally inquisitive and am always skeptical when “they” say something should be avoided completely. Perhaps they do not want others to enjoy the many benefits of having more free time.
A recent review of the effects of microwaving food published by NCBI, a reputable medical website, showed the following:
Microwaves do not kill your food.
Compared to conventional cooking the loss of vitamins and minerals is minimal.
The effects on proteins and fats are minimal.
There were no available reports on the effects on carbohydrates.
The conclusion of the review sites that “no significant nutritional differences exist between foods prepared by conventional and microwave methods. Any differences reported in the literature are minimal.”
The Australian Cancer Council also confirmed that Microwaves DO NOT give you cancer.
If you don’t believe me please scan through the sources I have provided below. I always recommend doing your own research!
There are a few things to keep in mind when you cook things in the nuker.
Do not use unsafe plastic containers. This is the cancer-causing agent, not the microwave itself. Look for “BPA free” containers if you want to use plastic.
Monitor your cooking time.
Stir food halfway through the cooking process to achieve even heat.
Cover the food to ensure you don’t waste the time you have just gained mopping up spaghetti sauce.
Think about the amount of time you spend making stove-top oatmeal and multiply that by three hundred and sixty-five. That same process in a microwave takes one minute and fifteen seconds to cook half a cup of oat bran. I am all about mindful cooking and eating BUT I also realize how much time can be chewed up during the day if you don’t get a little help from modern-day technology.
In closing, I hope this article has given you some food for thought in regards to how you spend your time in the kitchen. Perhaps you may want to re-consider going door-to-door and preaching the perils of the microwave.
All the best,
Anchored Athletics Team
Sources
History of the microwave oven:
