Microwaves are one of those inventions that perhaps were responsible for the rise of frozen and convenience meals. There’s nothing at all wrong with using a microwave when you are trying to lead a healthy lifestyle. In fact it can be highly advantageous to own one as they can be used in many ways to make your life in the kitchen easier when you’re busy and want something healthy and nutritious to eat at meal times.
Here are my top 5 tips of using a microwave as part of a healthy lifestyle:
1. Making scrambled eggs
Believe it or not you can make scrambled eggs in a flash in the microwave. A tasty and protein packed and nutritious meal made in minutes. Plus, it means that you escape the task of washing out the frying pan too!
2. Creating tasty desserts
Ever had a craving for cake, but just couldn’t go to all the effort or have the patience to bake one? Well how about rustling up a protein mug cake in your microwave. They are incredibly easy to make and ready in just a few minutes. Check out the recipe for my Peanut Butter Cup Mug Cake over on my Facebook page…you definitely won’t regret it!
3. Steaming vegetables
If I’m not stir frying, roasting or grilling my vegetables then I am most certainly steaming them in the microwave. It’s such a speedy way to get some veggies on your plate. I tend to wash and prepare my vegetables first and add them to a microwavable safe bowl. Adding a drop of water to the bowl helps create the steam and I then cover with cling film. In a matter of minutes you have delicious and tasty steamed vegetables for your plate.
4. Re-using leftovers
This is a pretty obvious one, but microwaves are great for re-heating leftovers. Of course you could use the hob to do this, but microwaves offer that convenience and speed that the cooker just doesn’t have.
5. Defrosting your healthy freezer stash
Having cook up sessions at the weekend to fill your freezer with healthy meals is a great idea if you’ve planned a busy week. If you forget to take out you planned healthy freezer meal out in the morning to defrost in time for dinner just zap it in the microwave. All is well with the world again.
Not only do microwaves make meal times easier if family members are coming home at different times, they can also make healthy living more convenient. If you don’t have sideboard space for a microwave then perhaps and integrated microwave such as the ones shown here would be ideal.
How do you use a microwave as part of your healthy living lifestyle? Any tips?
I use my microwave a lot and I find it really convenient. I’m not concerned about its safety to be honest but I know others are. I use it for defrosting individual slices of bread or tortilla wraps that I have frozen, defrosting frozen fruits and steaming vegetables (much healthier than boiling them in copious amounts of water). I also sometimes use it for making my coffee as I boil the water in there!!
Oh and of course…one can also make healthy potato crisps in it!
I was once at an event with a nutritionist as a speaker, and she said throw your microwave out. It really felt like she was looking down her nose at the audience for daring to have a microwave! Thanks for making these valid points and being realistic.
Mmm… I love cake-in-a-mug! It really is the best way to get a perfect portion for dessert. 🙂
I only use it to make porridge- I soak the oats overnight and cook them in the morning. Oh, and if I have hot chocolate I heat up the milk in the microwave.