Does cooking vegetables in the microwave destroy their nutritional value?

Question

For as long as I can remember, my mum has cooked veges in the microwave thinking it is alright, but my boyfriend (a chef) believes that it ruins their nutrients and refuses to eat veges if I cook them this way. Who is right?

Answer 1

Your boyfriend should know then that the actual process of "cooking" vegetables partially destroys their nutritional value. That's why they say that raw veggies are the healthiest.

BUT... with that said, if you cook them in the microwave in a WAY that does minimal damage, it's no different than any way else.

Try placing water in the container with a partially sealed lid. This way, you are actually STEAMING your veggies in the microwave.

Answer 2

Nope. In fact it's the opposite. According to The New Professional Chef (Culinary Institute of America) using the microwave preserves the nutrients better than any other cooking method. Now they are talking about putting the vegetables in a microwave safe container and cooking them (or steaming with a little bit of water) until they are cooked but still somewhat firm. If you submerge them in water and microwave until they are mush... drink the water because there are more nutrients in it than are left in the vegetables. :)

Answer 3

Boiling is worst for veggies as far as removing some of the nutrients. The microwave thing is a myth. It's no worse than baking. If your boyfriend is a chef then he needs to take a few credit hours of nutrition 101.

Answer 4

You are, (of course!)
It's perfectly safe and they hold they nutrients if you steam your vegetables!
BUT use containers that are safe for microwave cooking. Tupperware has a few lines that are specifically designed for microwave cooking. Their plastic does not break down during the microwave process and leach into your food. The Rock 'N Serve, Heat 'N Serve and Microsteamer all go into the dishwasher, fridge, and freezer and are guarateed for life from defects. The microsteamer is actually on sale this month! http://my.tupperware.com/marilynmorgan

Answer 5

Hot water is the enemy for many vitamins in food, such as the B and C vitamins. Boiling or blanching will destroy vitamins in vegetables. Microwaving also heats water inside the vegetable and destroys vitamins. The best method to preserve vitamins is steaming. Please note that freezing also destroys huge quantities of vitamins, so the vitamin loss issue may be moot if you are using frozen vegetables.

A 2003 study showed that microwaving destroyed almost all the antioxidants in broccoli.

Either way, at any particular meal, your mum's boyfriend is better off eating microwaved vegetables than none at all. They still are great sources of minerals, non-water soluble vitamins and fiber.

Answer 6

Yes it does, for the best nutritional value you should eat them raw. However to get someone introduced to eating fruits and vegetables you may have to prepare them in ways that are not as nutritional. Get them to eat the vegetables that way and slowly ween them towards eating the fruits and vegetables raw.

Answer 7

no . indeed if your smart enough (or your boyfriend chef should be ! )
lets take carrots for example --- you should never peel them ; because you are indeed taking away their nutritional value --- no different than if you were to boil them on a stove .
lets not forget that in microwave cookery ; the food cooks from the inside out --- think about it ( or perhaps your chef should !)
good luck .

Answer 8

Sorry I don't know who is right but I don't like veggies cooked in the microwave, stove top is the best way to cook them, in my opinion anyway!!

Answer 9

No. In fact I think it's healthier because you can steam them with very little water so all the nutrients stay in the veggie.
It's boiling them in a pot of water where you lose nutrients.

Answer 10

I don't think that micro cooking would destroy the nutritional value and more so than conventional cooking methods