While microwaving does not, by itself, rob foods, including potatoes, of their nutrients, the exposure to heat and water can affect certain vitamins. But potassium, an essential mineral, is not affected by cooking in the microwave.
Is it healthy to cook potatoes in the microwave?
Potatoes often house Clostridium botulinum, the botulism bacteria. When potatoes are cooked and not immediately stored in the fridge, spores of the bacteria can multiply. Microwaving the potatoes won't kill the bacteria either, so your second-day potatoes could cause an upset stomach.
What does microwaving a potato do?
A microwave can cook your potato to make it ready to eat. However, it can't brown your potatoes or truly crisp them up. Browning only happens at higher temperatures, where the Maillard reaction can take place rapidly. Potatoes in the microwave just don't get hot enough.
What is the healthiest way to cook potatoes?
Baking a potato is the best way to prepare it, as baking, or microwaving, a potato causes the lowest amount of nutrients to be lost, she said. The next-healthiest way to cook a potato is through steaming, which causes less nutrient loss than boiling.
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