does microwaving degrade food quality or its nutrient components?

Answer 1

while there is no actual proof that microwaving food degrades the quality or nutrients, i do believe that is does sometimes alter the taste. not all foods microwave well (meat, for instance, particularly if re-heating) and reheating some foods causes them to taste odd (again, most meats, anything with a crunchy breading). Anything with a high water content is usually fine (veggies, eggs, some fish, some shell food) and tastes similar to other cooking/reheating methods. also, microwave cooking will not allow meats to reach the internal temperatures needed to kill bacteria (160 degrees f for most red meat, 170 for most poultry, etc...) so you cannot depend on this when cooking raw meats.

Answer 2

I'm sure that microwaving not only degrade the food's nutrient components but also makes the food taste like crap.

Answer 3

In general, cooking with a microwave oven does a better job of preserving nutrients in food as cooking times are shorter. The longer food is exposed to heat - any heat - the more nutrients will break down. Vitamin C is a perfect example. Cooking vegetables containing vitamin C in a microwave for the short period required is more beneficial than boiling the same veg in lots of water on the stove until they are ready. So far as "blandness" goes, mentioned elsewhere, this applies to the likes of meat, fish etc., and not to fruit or veg. Fruit & veg are usually much tastier when microwaved as compared to boiling in a pan.

Answer 4

Depends...the method itself does not degrade its nutritional value, but:
1) Convenience foods meant for microwaving are often already devoid of nutrients.
2) Microwaving is prone to overcooking which does rob foods, especially vegetables, of valuable nutrition. This is true of conventionally cooked foods as well.

In fact, microwave-steamed vegetables are the preferred method, when properly done, for maintaining healthy nutrients and crisp-tender consistency.

Answer 5

all microwaving does is heat the water in foods from the inside out; i think that, like all other methods of cooking, vegetables and fruits will lose some of their nutrient components due to this process because it cooks out

Answer 6

A cheap micorwave will. A good microwave will heat it 360 degrees all around and not miss a spot and it is tasty...I especially love those microwaveable mcnuggets.

Answer 7

Yes, it does actually. Microwaving food can re-arrange the actual molecules. You shouldnt microwave meat, or microwave anything in plastic containers.

Answer 8

There was a test done (I forget where I heard about it) where someone took two identical plants. They watered one daily with regular tap water, and the other with microwaved water. The plant that was watered with regular tap water fared much better than the other one.

Answer 9

probably slightly.
especially if you use plastic containers for heating. the plastic releases a toxin that is harmful to our bodies, and contributes to cancer. it's best to use glass containers or ceramic types. the more you cook veggies the more nutrients you lose in any situation.

Answer 10

there IS a difference between fresh steamed and microwave ready foods.