Microwave Eating - How Healthy Can It Be?

Cooking in the microwave: unhealthy and harmful?

The microwave is one of the most common household appliances in this country. In practical appliances, hot meals are ready within minutes. But is the preparation of food also healthy or possibly harmful? Experts give answers.

In 70 percent of the German kitchen there is a microwave

It is fast, practical and meets the spirit of the times - in the microwave, a hot meal can be finished within a very short time. Already in the 1960s, such devices were on the market, since the 1990s, they have prevailed and are now in 70 out of 100 German kitchens, reports the Federal Center for Nutrition (BZfE). However, some consumers fear that microwaveable food preparation will be detrimental to health. Is that really so?

In about 70 percent of German households there is a microwave oven. Some people think that meals prepared in such appliances are unhealthy. Experts explain what the guess is. (Image: Alexey Rotanov / fotolia.com)

Food from the microwave harmless to health

Just in the freezer compartment, ready for consumption on the dining table a few minutes later: In a very short time, frozen food is thawed in the microwave or a meal prepared the day before is warmed up.

For the rapid heating inside the device provides the microwave radiation with a frequency of 2.45 gigahertz.

Used sensibly, the microwave can not only save time, but also energy compared to the hob and oven. Especially for singles or families, where not all members eat at the same time, the small appliances are useful.

However, some consumers fear that they will have to pay for the work relief with health losses. However, this concern is unfounded.

This is also what Margret Morlo from the Association for Nutrition and Dietetics (VFED) in Bocholt sees this way. "Food from the microwave is harmless to health," said the expert, according to a message from the news agency dpa.

In addition, eat raw fruits and vegetables

As the BZfE explains, the electromagnetic radiation of the microwave only vibrates the components of the food so that heat is generated.

However, the composition of the food does not change. The waves are not strong enough for that. The food can not absorb any rays.

Food from the microwave are therefore just as harmless as dishes from the saucepan. However, it is not advisable, for example, to freeze vegetables in portions and then warm them up in a microwave oven, because: "Most vitamins are sensitive to heat," says Morlo.

The maximum vitamin losses can vary between 40 and 80 percent. Vitamin C can even be completely lost.

"If you often cook or cook your meals in the microwave, you should also eat raw fruits and vegetables daily to optimize the vitamin content," Morlo recommends in the agency report.

No special microwave dishes needed

You should also be careful, because so-called "hot spots" can form. These are hot temperatures in the middle of a vessel.

They are mainly produced in high, narrow dishes - such as baby bottles or jars.

"This has the consequence that, for example, a cocoa when drinking at first only feel lukewarm and the next moment can burn your mouth," explains Annabel Oelmann, CEO of the Consumer Center Bremen in the dpa message.

To evenly distribute the temperature, especially shake or stir baby food well, then carefully check the temperature, advises the BZfE.

According to the experts, no special microwave dishes are usually necessary. Conventional harnesses made of glass, ceramics, porcelain, stoneware or heat-resistant plastic therefore fulfill their purpose as well.

However, some kitchen gadgets made of plastic should not be used in the appliances, as there may be a risk of release of harmful substances when heating melamine crockery.

Metal vessels also do not belong in a microwave oven, because metal reflects the microwaves, sparking can occur and the microwaves can not reach the food.

For thawing and heating individual portions

Microwave ovens are particularly suitable for thawing, heating and cooking individual portions.

Some devices are additionally equipped with grill or other baking functions.

"Larger amounts of meat or vegetables, refined sauces and crispy brown cakes can not be prepared well in the solo microwave oven," writes the BZfE.

"Even starchy foods such as rice, potatoes or pasta, which have a long cooking time, succeed better on the stove," said the experts.

And: "The traditional stove with oven can not completely replace the solo microwave oven."

Keep children away from running microwave ovens

Some consumers worry that the use of microwaves spread harmful radiation in the kitchen.

However, Ina Stelljes from the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) explains in the agency message: "Protection devices ensure that only very little radiation reaches the outside during operation."

However, a small so-called leakage radiation could occur in the vicinity of the screen and the doors. For this purpose, safety standards set a limit which, according to the BfS, is adhered to in the majority of microwave ovens.

"In the case of technically flawless appliances, there is no health risk, not even for particularly vulnerable persons, such as pregnant women or infants," says Stelljes.

Nevertheless, an unnecessary load with high-frequency fields should be avoided in principle. It is therefore recommended by the BfS that especially children should not be present in front of or next to the device during the preparation of the meal. (Ad)