Myth-busting the microwave veggie story

[snopes]

Q: A magazine article I read about cooking fresh broccoli strongly advised against microwaving the vegetable. It said nutritional and health benefits are lost in this cooking method. Is this true? Is steaming broccoli better?

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features...,4313113.story

[Menolly]

Wow, five minutes in a 1000 watt micro? Not a very straightforward test.

[llewtrah]

Some veggies taste different when microwaved and I cook those in a conventional way, not because of nutritional content, but because of flavour.

According to my microwave instructions, you should use a minimum of water for veggies otherwise all you're doing is boiling them and you might as well use the hob.

Like a lot of people, I reheat leftover veggies in the microwave (I make my own "ready meals" for work day lunchtimes) and they probably have lost some nutritional value between orginal cooking time and meal time.

[Eddylizard]

Originally Posted by llewtrah

Some veggies taste different when microwaved and I cook those in a conventional way, not because of nutritional content, but because of flavour.

According to my microwave instructions, you should use a minimum of water for veggies otherwise all you're doing is boiling them and you might as well use the hob.

I agree that microwaved veg taste different to boiled, but to be contrary I prefer the microwave taste. Plus a portion of veg takes 5-7 minutes in the microwave as opposed to 20 minutes on the hob.

I don't know about the science in the Spanish study. Certainly using the recommended Tbsp or so of water something leaches out, but I can't believe as much as 20 minutes of conventional boiling.

[llewtrah]

Originally Posted by Eddylizard

I agree that microwaved veg taste different to boiled, but to be contrary I prefer the microwave taste. Plus a portion of veg takes 5-7 minutes in the microwave as opposed to 20 minutes on the hob.

I don't know about the science in the Spanish study. Certainly using the recommended Tbsp or so of water something leaches out, but I can't believe as much as 20 minutes of conventional boiling.

Most green veg are okay when microwaved, but a veggie I can't stomach if microwaved is the potato. To me, microwaving makes taties taste like wallpaper paste!

[Troberg]

Most green veg are okay when microwaved, but a veggie I can't stomach if microwaved is the potato. To me, microwaving makes taties taste like wallpaper paste!

I make baked potatoes that way. The trick is to leave them in the MW for a few minutes after it is done. Then just cut a cross in them, drop in some coleslaw or shrimp salad and you have a tasty meal. Quick, easy and probably very unhealthy.

[Eddylizard]

Originally Posted by llewtrah

Most green veg are okay when microwaved, but a veggie I can't stomach if microwaved is the potato. To me, microwaving makes taties taste like wallpaper paste!

Okay I did mean to exempt boiled potatoes from that - e.g new potatoes and parboiled for roasties. I have had some excellent results and some horrific ones, so I've gone back to using the pan.

But

Originally Posted by Troberg

I make baked potatoes that way. The trick is to leave them in the MW for a few minutes after it is done. Then just cut a cross in them, drop in some coleslaw or shrimp salad and you have a tasty meal. Quick, easy and probably very unhealthy.

Baked potatoes are an entirely different animal, and 'nuking' them produces an entirely aceptable result. Four minutes in the microwave or two-three hours in the oven? Tough choice.

[llewtrah]

Originally Posted by Eddylizard

Baked potatoes are an entirely different animal, and 'nuking' them produces an entirely aceptable result. Four minutes in the microwave or two-three hours in the oven? Tough choice.

Microwave them to part cooked and finish them in the oven.

Taties in any form are pretty much off my menu these days, replaced in dishes with lower GL root veggies such as turnips, swedes, celeriac etc. Plus, the toppings you need to make microwaved baked taties palatable are high in calories or are fatty (butter, cheese). At least I no longer face the microwave vs oven dilemma as a result

[Tarquin Farquart]

Originally Posted by llewtrah

Plus, the toppings you need to make microwaved baked taties palatable are high in calories or are fatty (butter, cheese). At least I no longer face the microwave vs oven dilemma as a result

Baked beans are the best baked potato topping. With tuna a close second.

[llewtrah]

Originally Posted by Tarquin Farquart

Baked beans are the best baked potato topping. With tuna a close second.

How come you never cook that for me

[Tarquin Farquart]

Originally Posted by llewtrah

How come you never cook that for me

Because of the mountains of cheese/butter/mayo it additionally requires.

[llewtrah]

Originally Posted by Tarquin Farquart

Because of the mountains of cheese/butter/mayo it additionally requires.

For you I'd make an exception

[BringTheNoise]

Originally Posted by Shadow

I have learned that steaming vegetables at all removes most or all of the nutrients. In order to get all the vitamins and such out of this veggie, you need to eat it raw, or to drink the water it was steamed in. Same goes for any vegetable.

Where have you "learned" this? Because it's not true, as explained by the linked article in the OP. Eating veg raw is the most healthy option, but cooking them isn't THAT bad.

[ica171]

Here's a BBC news story that says that cooking certain vegetables can actually make them better for you. The article states that breaking down the cell walls makes it easier for your body to get to the nutrients inside.