How to replace the microwave for heating food, so as not to harm your health

основател на Международния институт по интегративна нутрициология

What can you replace the microwave to reheat food?

Microwave ovens are still under the scrutiny of researchers. Many scientists claim the harm of electromagnetic radiation, which supposedly penetrates food when heated and can harm the body.

For those who are particularly careful about their own health, we offer safe alternatives to the microwave.

What can be dangerous microwave

Heating food in the microwave is a quick and convenient way to heat it up, but its safety is questionable. A 2010 US study confirmed that defrosting frozen fruit using microwave heating contributed to the formation of carcinogens. Even short exposure of raw, cooked or frozen vegetables to the waves turned their plant alkaloids into harmful substances.

Scientists say that microwaving takes away 60 to 90% of the nutritional value of foods, while significantly reducing the bioavailability of B vitamins, vitamins C and E, essential minerals and substances that prevent abnormal fat accumulation. Microwaves are known to destroy nutrients, causing vitamin and micronutrient deficiencies, and plastic utensils release harmful chemicals into food when heated in the microwave.

Fats can transform when heated, and heating potatoes in the microwave produces the toxic substance acrylamide, which is not formed when the vegetable is boiled, stewed, or even fried.

Still, using a microwave oven can be less dangerous if you follow two rules:

• stay one meter away from the device when it is operating, as microwaves have a high level of microwave energy;
• do not heat food in plastic utensils.

Plastic containers can be found in every home, but many of them are made of low quality plastic. Clear plastic contains polycarbonate, which absorbs food. Plastic also has phthalates, which disrupt the body’s endocrine system and can cause high blood pressure and insulin resistance in teens.

Cook and heat food preferably in glass molds. Glass is chemically inert and does not spoil the taste of the dish oxidation and foreign odors. I recommend heating baby food only on a water bath.

As much as possible, replace plastic containers with glass, iron or ceramic lunchboxes, jars with lids or choose polyethylene or polypropylene containers (safe markings number 2, 4 and 5).

But you can also replace the microwave itself.

A quality frying pan

Approach the choice of a frying pan with all responsibility. I recommend buying cast iron skillets or options with a safe ceramic coating: silicon, oxygen and carbon.

Cast iron skillets are very durable. They are suitable for the prevention of iron deficiency anemia, as cooking in a cast iron skillet or baking in it enriches food with iron.

Do not store cooked food in cast iron in the refrigerator to avoid oxidation processes. I also do not recommend buying Teflon cookware: the coating is known to release perfluorooctanoic acid (a carcinogen) when heated above 260 degrees and damaged.

Marble, diamond and granite coating – the same Teflon, only with the addition of marble or granite chips.

On what oil is definitely not worth frying, told in the article.

Convenient multicooker

Choosing a multicooker, give preference to models with a ceramic bowl.

Ceramic is a safe coating, does not emit harmful substances when heating, is resistant to mechanical damage. When buying should choose models no older than 2000, since it is from this moment manufacturers are obliged to declare the composition of Teflon and materials from which multicookers are made.

Most multicookers have a function “Reheat” or “Heat” for ready meals. If there is no function, you can use the appropriate modes for cooking. To reheat food, it is necessary to place the food in a special bowl, without allowing the maximum allowable volume to be exceeded.

Oven

The classic way to reheat food is to use the oven. Place the food in a glass container or heat-resistant glassware and send it to a preheated oven for 5-7 minutes. The minimum heating temperature is 100 degrees. This is enough to prevent bacterial growth in the dish and maximize its flavor.

How to cook a delicious and healthy kebab in the oven, told in the material.

Be attentive to the dishes and kitchen utensils: on their quality depends on the usefulness and flavor of the cooked dish. Try to reduce the use of microwave oven, and better cook exactly as much food to eat at one time and do not reheat. Secondary heat treatment deprives food of valuable substances and flavor.