Safe Alternatives to Microwave Ovens

Oven

• Before people harnessed the power of microwaves to cook food, there was the convection oven. Though it takes longer to cook food in an oven, due in part to preheating, this cooking method isn't known to destroy nutrients as much as microwaves. Also, unlike microwaving, the oven allows you to prepare food in a way that preserves a desirable texture. A microwave pizza, for example, lacks the crispy yet chewy crust of an oven-baked pizza. The oven is best for foods that require dry cooking, such as breads and roasts. Other foods cook better on the stove.

Stove

• Although impractical, you can prepare pasta sauce or boil water in the oven. For water-based foods such as these, the stove is more appropriate. The stove is also ideal for quick preparation methods such as stir frying. It may not be quick enough for your taste, though, if you're used to the microwave.

Saving Time

• You have ways to shorten the time difference between microwave cooking and stovetop or oven cooking, most of which require preparation. When using the oven, preheat it to the necessary temperature at the beginning of your food preparation. Consider purchasing a convection oven to reheat foods and to heat foods in as little as half the time. Plan meals a day in advance and thaw meals in your refrigerator before you begin cooking.

Materials

• Microwaves are potentially dangerous, in part due to the fact that microwavable food containers are overwhelmingly made of plastic. According to Body Ecology, bisphenol A, a chemical found in plastics, is linked to cancer. If you choose to microwave your food, use BPA-free containers.