Microwaving has been a widely accepted method of cooking and heating meals, but few of us stop to think how ‘nuking’ affects the otherwise nutritious foods that we strive to incorporate into our diets.
Nearly two decades ago, a German study reported that microwaving food is actually a major cause of the dramatic increases in cancer experienced in the industrialized world. The researchers found that microwaving, which unlike traditional cooking heats from the inside out, creates unique life forms called radiolytic compounds. Radiolytic compounds are unknown in nature. These compounds dramatically and progressively reduce red and white blood cell counts.
The lowered red blood cell count leads to anemia. Fewer white blood cells decrease immune system activity. Both conditions allow disease to invade the body without a fight.
Microwaved food also increases levels of LDL (the so-called bad cholesterol carrier) while decreasing the “good” HDL cholesterol carriers.*
This study didn’t even look at the fact that food microwaved in plastic contains 10,000 times more carcinogens than the FDA allows! It does, however, support the more current research showing the dangers of feeding babies microwaved formula or breastmilk.
So what should you do, if you’re a woman on the run who’s planning for pregnancy, but doesn’t have a lot of time?
- Thermoses are a great tool to rediscover. They pay for themselves in just a few weeks. I often heat up leftovers from dinner in a small pot while I’m having breakfast. Then I pack the thermos and go.
- Convection or toaster ovens are a fantastic addition to any kitchen or office space. One can be purchased for as little as $30 new, less at a garage sale. You may need to invest in a few small Corningware-type dishes to heat up your meals, but they are well worth the $4 investment.
- Picnic! The French are known for their easy “charcuterie” plates: little pickles, (nitrate-free) cold cuts, pates, cheese, hard boiled eggs, yogurt, fruit and a cold potato salad. These are all excellent, nourishing foods that barely need any prep and easily make a meal in themselves.
Besides the health advantages for you and your baby, eating foods that are naturally prepared allows you to truly enjoy the wonderful flavors you may not even have realized were there. You’ll be astonished at how different it is! And like my husband, you just may find yourself the envy of your office!
* This is yet another fact that should make us rethink the cholesterol theory which blames animal foods for rising cholesterol rates.
VALENTINE, TOM,
Microwave Tragedy
, Acres USA, 1994.
