The first time I ever heard that using a microwave was “bad for you” was a few years ago, in a little health food shop.
I was explaining to the store clerk how I make a certain recipe, and when I got to the part about using the microwave, she turned white as a ghost and literally screamed: “DO NOT use the microwave! It is the devil! It can kill you!”
While this didn’t cause me to stop using a microwave, it did open my eyes to the possibility that microwaves might not be as safe as I’d thought.
So are microwaves harmful?
Some studies say they are. However, some studies say coffee is bad, some studies say soy is bad, some studies say using cell phones causes cancer. Then there are other “some studies” that say all of this isn’t true.
People use microwaves every day—people like my great grandmother who lived to be over 100. (Then again, my grandma only used microwaves for a very short period of her life, as they obviously hadn’t yet been invented when she was a young girl.)
What to believe?
One could drive oneself crazy trying to figure it all out! And that’s not healthy either.
So until there is conclusive evidence that microwaves are dangerous, I’m going to look out for my mental health/sanity first and keep using mine.
What are your thoughts on the safety of microwaves?
Debate me, debate each other, debate yourself if you wish… just keep it respectful.
I don’t have a microwave in my apartment and I get along fine. I’m not really against them, I just don’t really need one.
I go on and off with the micro, some weeks this is where I will make my oats other weeks I prefer the stove top, I guess it depends, but I do love it for reheating my coffee or frozen goods! 🙂 I am a micro fan, you could say!
ginger men-GREAT band name 🙂
If I wasn’t in such a rush all the time I wouldn’t use it as often. Food just doesn’t taste as good!
I prefer stove top cooking- but when in doubt, microwave works. For a faster, no clean up source. I do think their are certain negative things about microwaves- and duhhh, the stove is probably better for you, but I’m not scared of it (like coughHEABcough is) hehehe
Also- the microwave was made for convenience but its since become more of a necessity for people allll over the world, and not a lot of people cook anymore! (Shame) So in that sense, I don’t like microwaves, But do I use it? Yes. Am I stoked for my microwaved oatmeal when I move into my dorm this January, yes. 🙂
I had an internal debate about whether to get a microwave when I got my own place. I didn’t need it, sure, but it is convenient to just heat up leftovers for 2 min in the same bowl (I store everything in pyrex; I DO believe heating plastic in the micro is bad) instead of dirtying extra dishes on the stove. The clincher for me was that microwaves use far less energy than stoves, even gas stoves. So, being an eco-eater, I go with the microwave when it is convenient (leftovers, oatmeal, sometimes eggs, frozen veggies). I like stovetop oats and eggs, but some mornings I just can’t be bothered to make all kinds of dishes. Heat, eat, and wash one bowl and fork? Yes, please!
Oh I heart microwaves. I find the gas oven more concerning (I don’t know why, but when the oven can make my oatmeal in one bowl in 2 minutes I will get over that too).
We didn’t have a microwave for years, and didn’t miss it. The last two places we have lived have built in microwaves, and while they can be convenient at times, I would rather go without. Not a microwave fan!
About two years ago, my microwave started making weird and worrisome noise, and we threw it away. My boyfriend and I were already talking about getting rid of it, so we didn’t buy another one. We missed it a bit in the beginning, but now I never think about it. I use a toaster oven, and I find it very convenient to warm up food.
There is a microwave at work though, and I must say I use it because I like warm lunches. I never stand near it though, and I wait until it has beeped completely and it has stopped before opening the door.
Some studies say microwave ovens are bad for you, while some others say they aren’t. I say that precaution is always best, just like moderation.
I try not to get too worried about microwaves. We are exposed to radiation from so many sources, I seriously doubt that heating up some foods in a microwave is going to be what does you in. Sure, if you used it for hours on end, every day, and stood right in front of it the whole time, maybe? But let’s be honest – there is a new study every day saying that such & such is bad, then the next day such & such will be good. It all depends on the question you ask, and how you want to present the stats. I would also argue that not only has microwave design & functionality improved with time, but our safety standards have also increased. Think about all the baby things like cribs & car seats that used to be okay, only to be banned for being unsafe a few years later. We all survived those as well. The media likes to blow all of these studies out of proportion, and some people will always be against “technology”, because they feel they aren’t safe, even if they have no real evidence.
Geesh, What am I missing out on? I’ve never heard of melting bananas!