Microwaved potatoes are a convenient way to cook a quick meal, but what is their effect on the nutrient values of potatoes? Some people believe that microwaving destroys the nutrients in food, while others think it is a safe and healthy way to cook.
So, are microwaved potatoes actually healthy? In reality, a microwave-cooked potato is more healthy than a boiled potato for at least two reasons: the boiled potato has been sitting in boiling water, which leaches out vitamins and minerals, and the boiled potato has been at an increased, Vitamin-C-destroying temperature for a longer time.
Microwaving potatoes is a safe and healthy way to cook them. The microwave energy causes the water molecules in the food to vibrate, which creates heat that cooks the food. This process does not destroy nutrients, as some people believe. In fact, microwaving may actually preserve some of the nutrients in food.
In this blog post, we will discuss the pros and cons of microwaving potatoes and help you decide if it is a good cooking method for you!
Reasons Why Microwaved Potatoes Are Considered Healthy
Potatoes in general are rich in nutrient values: vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, folate, magnesium, niacin, manganese, thiamine. A recent study by the World Health Organization found that microwaved food is safe to enjoy. Microwaves do not change or damage nutrients in foods and they are as healthy as other cooking methods. So, it goes for microwaved potatoes also!
Microwaved Potatoes Are Low-Calorie.
One medium-sized microwaved potato with skin contains only 110 calories. This is significantly less than the calorie count of a boiled or baked potato with skin, which ranges from 160 to 200 calories. Microwaved potatoes also contain almost no fat. It also does not change the number of carbohydrates it contains, but it retains all the dietary fiber.
So, microwaving potatoes is a healthy way to prepare them without adding any extra fat or calories.
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Microwaved Potatoes Are Easy To Digest.
Microwaving a potato for several minutes turns the starch in it into resistant starch. Resistant starch is a type of carbohydrate that passes through the digestive system without being digested. It then becomes food for healthy gut bacteria and improves digestion by increasing beneficial bacteria, reducing constipation, and regulating bowel movements.
The glycemic index of microwaved potatoes is also average. It indicates how quickly your body digests certain foods and converts them into glucose (blood sugar).
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Microwaved Potatoes Have High Levels Of Potassium
Potatoes are high in potassium, especially if the skin is consumed as well. The potassium content of a single medium-sized russet potato is 952 mg each meal. Potassium aids in the development of muscles and proteins, as well as the digestion of carbohydrates. It also keeps your heart’s electrical activity in control, as well as your body’s acid-base balance, as an electrolyte.
While microwaving does not reduce the nutrients in foods such as potatoes, heat and water exposure can influence specific vitamins. But on the other hand, it has no effect on potassium, a necessary mineral.
Microwaving Potatoes Can Help You Lose Weight.
Microwaved potatoes are also an excellent source of dietary fiber. One medium-sized microwaved potato with skin contains about four grams of fiber, which is about 16 percent of the daily recommended intake for adults over 50 years old and 11 percent for adults between 19 and 50 years old.
This means that if you are trying to watch your weight, adding microwaved potatoes as a side dish is a good way to help you lose weight or maintain your current weight.
Pros And Cons Of Microwaving Potatoes
When it comes to microwaving potatoes, there are pros and cons. On the one hand, microwaved potatoes are quick and easy to prepare – you just need a few minutes and a microwave. They’re also healthy, as long as you don’t add too much butter or salt.
On the other hand, microwaved potatoes can be dry and tough, especially if you overcook them. Microwaved potatoes also lose some nutrients in the cooking process.
Pros:
- Microwave ovens cook food faster than conventional cooking methods for most foods, but not all. So, you can get your potatoes ready in a faster time.
- Microwaves are also very good at heating up leftovers. The microwave gets the job done quickly and efficiently, with little mess or cleanup necessary afterward.
- Microwaving is always a better and healthier option than frying them in oil.
Cons:
- Microwave ovens can create “hot spots” in your cooked potatoes, which can cause some areas of the dish to be overcooked or burnt.
- Microwaved potatoes may not always retain all of their nutrients, since microwaves tend to heat up food from the outside in, which can cause the outer layers of food to lose their nutrients before the inside is fully cooked.
- Microwave ovens also tend to heat up food unevenly, so areas that may be overcooked or burnt could be next to areas that are not fully cooked. This can happen while cooking potatoes in microwave also if you are not cautious enough!
How To Cook A Microwave-Safe Potato
You can cook a potato in the microwave without any special equipment, although you may want to use a Microwave Potato Cooker or Microwave Baking Bag for faster cooking times.
- Preheat your Microwave Potato Cooker or Microwave Baking Bag for the appropriate time according to the size of your potato. For a medium potato, we recommend preheating for about six minutes.
- Pierce your potato several times with a fork so that it will cook evenly and not burst while cooking.
- Place your potato in the Microwave Potato Cooker or Microwave Baking Bag and cook according to the time recommended.
- Once the timer goes off, allow your potatoes to rest for a minute or two so that they will be easier to handle.
Some Tips On Cooking Potatoes In The Microwave
If you are going to be storing your potatoes in the refrigerator and reheating them later on, it is best to wrap them individually with aluminum foil before placing them in the Microwave Baking Bag. This will ensure that your potatoes cook evenly without any hot spots or uneven cooking times due to foil thicknesses varying from potato to potato.
If you are going to be eating your microwaved potatoes immediately after cooking, then there is no need for wrapping them individually with aluminum foil because they will not get cold.
LEARN MORE: How To Cook Bacon In The Microwave
Some Healthy Variations Of Healthy Microwave-Cooked Potatoes.
If you are thinking of cooking any potato recipe in the microwave. But not sure that there would be any varieties available that would equally be healthy and simple, then the following topics may help you to clear your doubts.
Microwaved Jacket Potato And Its Health Content
A microwaved jacket potato is a great way to have a healthy snack. In the conventional method, jacket potatoes are made by deep-frying which is not a healthy choice. Making jacket potatoes in the microwave can be a healthier option if the potato is microwaved without any butter, cheese, or oil.
If you eat your potato with skin, it can provide around half of your daily vitamin C intake. Microwaved jacket potatoes also offer vitamins A, E, B-complex, and K, along with minerals such as magnesium, potassium, and iron.
While microwaving a jacket potato is a healthy option for cooking, it can be potentially harmful when you do not follow the correct guidelines for microwaving potatoes. This can result in unpleasant effects such as potato explosions. When microwaving potatoes, you should make sure that the potato is evenly-sized so that it cooks evenly and does not explode in the microwave.
Microwaved Baked Potato And Its Health Content
When you want a baked potato but don’t have much time, a microwave baked potato is a lifesaver. Microwave baked potatoes are ready in a fraction of the time and are still soft and fluffy, making them ideal for toppings.
Baked potatoes in the microwave are equally rich in their nutritional value. It has 517 calories, 14.2 grams of protein, 65.4 grams of carbs, 23.1 grams of fat, 63.1 milligrams of cholesterol, and 421.6 milligrams of sodium.
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Conclusion
Microwaving potatoes definitely has some benefits – it’s quick and easy, and doesn’t require any extra dishes. However, there are also some potential downsides to microwaving potatoes. Microwaving potatoes is a personal choice, and you’ll have to decide whether the benefits outweigh the risks for yourself.
