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Default Heating food and Nutrient loss

I'm trying to determine which method of heating produces the least
loss of nutrients - with apples in particular. I've read articles
saying that microwaves destroy the most:

http://www.healingdaily.com/microwave-ovens.htm

....and others that claim microwaves do not cause any damage of
nutrients:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/17/he...syahoo&emc=rss

Looking for some consensus here!!

Thanks.

<JD>

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Default Heating food and Nutrient loss

In article .com>,
JD > wrote:

> I'm trying to determine which method of heating produces the least
> loss of nutrients - with apples in particular.


With fruits and vegetables, eating them raw yields the most nutrients.
If you prefer cooked apples, then cooking them as little as possible
would retain the most nutrients. Steaming probably loses the most
nutrients because they get leached out in the steam; boiling is similar,
unless you use the water, somehow.
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Default Heating food and Nutrient loss

In article >,
Stan Horwitz > wrote:

> In article .com>,
> JD > wrote:
>
> > I'm trying to determine which method of heating produces the least
> > loss of nutrients - with apples in particular.

>
> With fruits and vegetables, eating them raw yields the most nutrients.
> If you prefer cooked apples, then cooking them as little as possible
> would retain the most nutrients. Steaming probably loses the most
> nutrients because they get leached out in the steam; boiling is similar,
> unless you use the water, somehow.


Only drawback to raw veggies is that some are harder to digest raw than
others due to a higher cellulose content. Sometimes you can get more
nutrition out of _minimally_ cooked veggies.
--
Peace, Om

Remove _ to validate e-mails.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson
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Default Heating food and Nutrient loss

On Jul 15, 6:16 am, Omelet > wrote:
> In article >,
> Stan Horwitz > wrote:
>
> > In article .com>,
> > JD > wrote:

>
> > > I'm trying to determine which method of heating produces the least
> > > loss of nutrients - with apples in particular.

>
> > With fruits and vegetables, eating them raw yields the most nutrients.
> > If you prefer cooked apples, then cooking them as little as possible
> > would retain the most nutrients. Steaming probably loses the most
> > nutrients because they get leached out in the steam; boiling is similar,
> > unless you use the water, somehow.

>
> Only drawback to raw veggies is that some are harder to digest raw than
> others due to a higher cellulose content. Sometimes you can get more
> nutrition out of _minimally_ cooked veggies.
> --
> Peace, Om
>
> Remove _ to validate e-mails.
>
> "My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson


problem is, I want to make applesauce so I have to soften them up
somehow, but without losing nutrients - especially in the skins...

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Default Heating food and Nutrient loss

On Jul 14, 11:59 pm, JD > wrote:
> I'm trying to determine which method of heating produces the least
> loss of nutrients - with apples in particular. I've read articles
> saying that microwaves destroy the most:
>
> http://www.healingdaily.com/microwave-ovens.htm
>
> ...and others that claim microwaves do not cause any damage of
> nutrients:
>
> http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/17/he...=1318737600&en...
>
> Looking for some consensus here!!


I am more inclined to believe the NYT article that microwaves is a
nutritious way to cook. Otherwise, consider steaming or a slow cooker.
Deep fryer cooking is probably the worst way to cook because the food
can get up to 350° F which will break down many types of nutrients
rapidly.

I think that cell phones and WiFi will expose you to more microwaves
than a microwave oven.

--
Ron



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Default Heating food and Nutrient loss

In article .com>,
JD > wrote:

> On Jul 15, 6:16 am, Omelet > wrote:
> > In article >,
> > Stan Horwitz > wrote:
> >
> > > In article .com>,
> > > JD > wrote:

> >
> > > > I'm trying to determine which method of heating produces the least
> > > > loss of nutrients - with apples in particular.

> >
> > > With fruits and vegetables, eating them raw yields the most nutrients.
> > > If you prefer cooked apples, then cooking them as little as possible
> > > would retain the most nutrients. Steaming probably loses the most
> > > nutrients because they get leached out in the steam; boiling is similar,
> > > unless you use the water, somehow.

> >
> > Only drawback to raw veggies is that some are harder to digest raw than
> > others due to a higher cellulose content. Sometimes you can get more
> > nutrition out of _minimally_ cooked veggies.

>
> problem is, I want to make applesauce so I have to soften them up
> somehow, but without losing nutrients - especially in the skins...


I don't make applesauce with skins.
The skins are just not digestible or even chewable!

Remove the skins.
They are not worth the effort.

The pectin in Apples is a very good thing!

You can cook the apples less to make a sauce if you get rid of the skins.

Cut your losses. ;-)
--
Peace, Om

Remove _ to validate e-mails.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson
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Default Heating food and Nutrient loss

In article . com>,
Ron Peterson > wrote:

> On Jul 14, 11:59 pm, JD > wrote:
> > I'm trying to determine which method of heating produces the least
> > loss of nutrients - with apples in particular. I've read articles
> > saying that microwaves destroy the most:
> >
> > http://www.healingdaily.com/microwave-ovens.htm
> >
> > ...and others that claim microwaves do not cause any damage of
> > nutrients:
> >
> > http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/17/he...=1318737600&en...
> >
> > Looking for some consensus here!!

>
> I am more inclined to believe the NYT article that microwaves is a
> nutritious way to cook. Otherwise, consider steaming or a slow cooker.
> Deep fryer cooking is probably the worst way to cook because the food
> can get up to 350? F which will break down many types of nutrients
> rapidly.
>
> I think that cell phones and WiFi will expose you to more microwaves
> than a microwave oven.
>
> --
> Ron


So will the Black Helicopters...
--
Peace, Om

Remove _ to validate e-mails.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson
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Default Heating food and Nutrient loss

On Jul 14, 11:59 pm, JD > wrote:
> I'm trying to determine which method of heating produces the least
> loss of nutrients - with apples in particular. I've read articles
> saying that microwaves destroy the most:
>
> http://www.healingdaily.com/microwave-ovens.htm
>
> ...and others that claim microwaves do not cause any damage of
> nutrients:
>
> http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/17/he...=1318737600&en...
>
> Looking for some consensus here!!
>
> Thanks.
>
> <JD>


Use the traditional method. It is usually the best. And note that
apples are not the most nutritious food out there to begin with,
contrary to popular beliefs.

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Default Heating food and Nutrient loss


Omelet wrote:
> In article .com>,
> JD > wrote:
>
> > On Jul 15, 6:16 am, Omelet > wrote:
> > > In article >,
> > > Stan Horwitz > wrote:
> > >
> > > > In article .com>,
> > > > JD > wrote:
> > >
> > > > > I'm trying to determine which method of heating produces the least
> > > > > loss of nutrients - with apples in particular.
> > >
> > > > With fruits and vegetables, eating them raw yields the most nutrients.
> > > > If you prefer cooked apples, then cooking them as little as possible
> > > > would retain the most nutrients. Steaming probably loses the most
> > > > nutrients because they get leached out in the steam; boiling is similar,
> > > > unless you use the water, somehow.
> > >
> > > Only drawback to raw veggies is that some are harder to digest raw than
> > > others due to a higher cellulose content. Sometimes you can get more
> > > nutrition out of _minimally_ cooked veggies.

> >
> > problem is, I want to make applesauce so I have to soften them up
> > somehow, but without losing nutrients - especially in the skins...

>
> I don't make applesauce with skins.
> The skins are just not digestible or even chewable!
>
> Remove the skins.
> They are not worth the effort.
>
> The pectin in Apples is a very good thing!
>
> You can cook the apples less to make a sauce if you get rid of the skins.
>
> Cut your losses. ;-)
> --
> Peace, Om
>
> Remove _ to validate e-mails.
>
> "My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson


However challenging, I've got a goal of making a super-nutritious
applesauce complete with the skins (where most of the really
nutritious parts are!). It's easy enough to buy applesauce that's all
natural without the skin, so that wouldn't be as much fun. Heck, if it
turns out uneatable, I'm out a few bucks and a toothpick or two.

I'm thinking about creative possibilities like blueberry applesauce to
crank up the antioxidants even more... Ideas are welcome.

TIA,
<JD>

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Default Heating food and Nutrient loss

On Jul 16, 7:55 am, TC > wrote:
> On Jul 14, 11:59 pm, JD > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > I'm trying to determine which method of heating produces the least
> > loss of nutrients - with apples in particular. I've read articles
> > saying that microwaves destroy the most:

>
> >http://www.healingdaily.com/microwave-ovens.htm

>
> > ...and others that claim microwaves do not cause any damage of
> > nutrients:

>
> >http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/17/he...=1318737600&en...

>
> > Looking for some consensus here!!

>
> > Thanks.

>
> > <JD>

>
> Use the traditional method. It is usually the best. And note that
> apples are not the most nutritious food out there to begin with,
> contrary to popular beliefs.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -


well, I guess it depends on what you're looking for nutrition-wise.
For example, it -is- one of the most nutritious fruits (if not -the-
most) if you're looking for pectin or quercetin...

and also, applesauce is probably a lot easier to eat than blueberry
sauce.

- jd



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Default Heating food and Nutrient loss

On Jul 17, 9:21 am, JD > wrote:
> Omelet wrote:
> > In article .com>,
> > JD > wrote:

>
> > > On Jul 15, 6:16 am, Omelet > wrote:
> > > > In article >,
> > > > Stan Horwitz > wrote:

>
> > > > > In article .com>,
> > > > > JD > wrote:

>
> > > > > > I'm trying to determine which method of heating produces the least
> > > > > > loss of nutrients - with apples in particular.

>
> > > > > With fruits and vegetables, eating them raw yields the most nutrients.
> > > > > If you prefer cooked apples, then cooking them as little as possible
> > > > > would retain the most nutrients. Steaming probably loses the most
> > > > > nutrients because they get leached out in the steam; boiling is similar,
> > > > > unless you use the water, somehow.

>
> > > > Only drawback to raw veggies is that some are harder to digest raw than
> > > > others due to a higher cellulose content. Sometimes you can get more
> > > > nutrition out of _minimally_ cooked veggies.

>
> > > problem is, I want to make applesauce so I have to soften them up
> > > somehow, but without losing nutrients - especially in the skins...

>
> > I don't make applesauce with skins.
> > The skins are just not digestible or even chewable!

>
> > Remove the skins.
> > They are not worth the effort.

>
> > The pectin in Apples is a very good thing!

>
> > You can cook the apples less to make a sauce if you get rid of the skins.

>
> > Cut your losses. ;-)
> > --
> > Peace, Om

>
> > Remove _ to validate e-mails.

>
> > "My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson

>
> However challenging, I've got a goal of making a super-nutritious
> applesauce complete with the skins (where most of the really
> nutritious parts are!). It's easy enough to buy applesauce that's all
> natural without the skin, so that wouldn't be as much fun. Heck, if it
> turns out uneatable, I'm out a few bucks and a toothpick or two.
>
> I'm thinking about creative possibilities like blueberry applesauce to
> crank up the antioxidants even more... Ideas are welcome.


No matter what you do, you're going to die.

Eat the apples and blueberries and try to think about something else.

Honestly, if the human body weren't good at getting nutrition from
practically
anything, even dirt, the species would have died out long ago.

Cindy Hamilton

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Default Heating food and Nutrient loss

On Jul 17, 9:24 pm, JD > wrote:
> On Jul 16, 7:55 am, TC > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Jul 14, 11:59 pm, JD > wrote:

>
> > > I'm trying to determine which method of heating produces the least
> > > loss of nutrients - with apples in particular. I've read articles
> > > saying that microwaves destroy the most:

>
> > >http://www.healingdaily.com/microwave-ovens.htm

>
> > > ...and others that claim microwaves do not cause any damage of
> > > nutrients:

>
> > >http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/17/he...=1318737600&en...

>
> > > Looking for some consensus here!!

>
> > > Thanks.

>
> > > <JD>

>
> > Use the traditional method. It is usually the best. And note that
> > apples are not the most nutritious food out there to begin with,
> > contrary to popular beliefs.- Hide quoted text -

>
> > - Show quoted text -

>
> well, I guess it depends on what you're looking for nutrition-wise.
> For example, it -is- one of the most nutritious fruits (if not -the-
> most) if you're looking for pectin or quercetin...
>
> and also, applesauce is probably a lot easier to eat than blueberry
> sauce.
>
> - jd- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -


Compare the vitamin and mineral profile of any fruit, including
apples, with any meat or fish. You will find that 1) fruits are mostly
water and sugars and 2) the actual number of different vitamins and
their respective amounts in the fruits are not as high as in the meats
or fish.

Fruits are not as nutrient-dense as you've been led to believe. Sorry
to burst your bubble but the reality is that fruits are not all that
miraculously nutritious.

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Default Heating food and Nutrient loss

In article .com>,
says...
> On Jul 17, 9:24 pm, JD > wrote:
> > On Jul 16, 7:55 am, TC > wrote:
> >
> >
> > > On Jul 14, 11:59 pm, JD > wrote:

> >
> > > > I'm trying to determine which method of heating produces the least
> > > > loss of nutrients - with apples in particular. I've read articles
> > > > saying that microwaves destroy the most:

> >
> > > >
http://www.healingdaily.com/microwave-ovens.htm
> >
> > > > ...and others that claim microwaves do not cause any damage of
> > > > nutrients:

> >
> > > >http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/17/he...=1318737600&en...

> >
> > > > Looking for some consensus here!!

> >
> > > > Thanks.

> >
> > > > <JD>

> >
> > > Use the traditional method. It is usually the best. And note that
> > > apples are not the most nutritious food out there to begin with,
> > > contrary to popular beliefs.- Hide quoted text -

> >
> > > - Show quoted text -

> >
> > well, I guess it depends on what you're looking for nutrition-wise.
> > For example, it -is- one of the most nutritious fruits (if not -the-
> > most) if you're looking for pectin or quercetin...
> >
> > and also, applesauce is probably a lot easier to eat than blueberry
> > sauce.
> >
> > - jd- Hide quoted text -
> >
> > - Show quoted text -

>
> Compare the vitamin and mineral profile of any fruit, including
> apples, with any meat or fish. You will find that 1) fruits are mostly
> water and sugars and 2) the actual number of different vitamins and
> their respective amounts in the fruits are not as high as in the meats
> or fish.
>
> Fruits are not as nutrient-dense as you've been led to believe. Sorry


The idea that microwave cooking reduces nutrients more than other
cooking methods is a pure urban legend. Unfortunately there are many
websites put up by scientifically illiterate people claiming that it
does.

--
Peter Aitken
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Default Heating food and Nutrient loss

On Jul 19, 10:35 am, Peter A > wrote:
> In article .com>,
> says...
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Jul 17, 9:24 pm, JD > wrote:
> > > On Jul 16, 7:55 am, TC > wrote:

>
> > > > On Jul 14, 11:59 pm, JD > wrote:

>
> > > > > I'm trying to determine which method of heating produces the least
> > > > > loss of nutrients - with apples in particular. I've read articles
> > > > > saying that microwaves destroy the most:

>
> > > > >http://www.healingdaily.com/microwave-ovens.htm

>
> > > > > ...and others that claim microwaves do not cause any damage of
> > > > > nutrients:

>
> > > > >http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/17/he...=1318737600&en...

>
> > > > > Looking for some consensus here!!

>
> > > > > Thanks.

>
> > > > > <JD>

>
> > > > Use the traditional method. It is usually the best. And note that
> > > > apples are not the most nutritious food out there to begin with,
> > > > contrary to popular beliefs.- Hide quoted text -

>
> > > > - Show quoted text -

>
> > > well, I guess it depends on what you're looking for nutrition-wise.
> > > For example, it -is- one of the most nutritious fruits (if not -the-
> > > most) if you're looking for pectin or quercetin...

>
> > > and also, applesauce is probably a lot easier to eat than blueberry
> > > sauce.

>
> > > - jd- Hide quoted text -

>
> > > - Show quoted text -

>
> > Compare the vitamin and mineral profile of any fruit, including
> > apples, with any meat or fish. You will find that 1) fruits are mostly
> > water and sugars and 2) the actual number of different vitamins and
> > their respective amounts in the fruits are not as high as in the meats
> > or fish.

>
> > Fruits are not as nutrient-dense as you've been led to believe. Sorry

>
> The idea that microwave cooking reduces nutrients more than other
> cooking methods is a pure urban legend. Unfortunately there are many
> websites put up by scientifically illiterate people claiming that it
> does.
>
> --
> Peter Aitken- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -


Any heat applied will have a negative effect on most water soluble
vitamins. Microwaving or otherwise. And time will also negatively
affect the water soluble vitamins, which is why freshness is of the
utmost importance.

What microwaving does is vibrate the bejeesus out of the molecules
themselves which can and does denature them to some degree. That is
where the problem is. What once was food becomes an unidentified
chemical.

My preference is to avoid all microwave ovens. It's not as if I can't
get the same and/or much better results from traditional heating
methods. Not only is the foods nutrient profile maintained better
using traditional cooking methods, it tastes much much better when
sauteed or bbq'd or steamed or baked or whatever. And the textural
qualities are more often than not completely destroyed by microwaving.
Yuk.

I see no advantage whatsoever to microwaving. If I don't have the time
to cook my food with a little TLC and patience, then what is the point
of life. Food and dining on food is such an important social
interaction that to relegate it to simply a fast-as-possible fueling-
up procedure is to dismiss an extremely important and fulfilling part
of life.

Microwaving pretty much anything is, at best, an exercise in
mediocrity and at worse, really bad cooking.

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