Cooking meals in the microwave is convenient and fast, but some foods are better for this technique than others. Choosing healthy dishes and preparing them in the microwave is simple to do and many foods cook well this way. Microwave cooking can sometimes create cold spots, which create a risk of food borne illness, reports the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. They recommend using a thermometer to be sure food is thoroughly cooked and to only heat food in microwave-safe cookware.
Frozen Dinners
Many frozen dinners available at the supermarket are high in fat, calories and sodium so it is important to carefully read the ingredients list to be sure you are choosing a healthy one. At the same time, it is important to choose one that will be filling enough that you won't be hungry in between meals, according to Epicurious. They recommend the Kashi brand of frozen meals because the portion size is healthy and they weigh in at around 300 calories apiece. Good choices include Lemongrass Coconut Chicken and Chicken Pasta Pomodoro. Another brand of frozen dinners that offers healthy microwavable meals is Healthy Choice. Their line of steaming entrees feature lean meats, pasta and vegetables with reasonable calorie counts. Garlic Herb Shrimp and Lemon Herb Chicken are two examples of these meals.
Risotto Meals
Cooking risotto in the microwave creates a fast and healthy base for a meal. According to "Parents Magazine," adding some spices, lean chicken and artichokes makes a well-rounded and healthy meal that features foods from several food groups; grains, meat and vegetables. This is a versatile dish because you can mix and match a variety of different vegetables and meats to change up the flavors and keep things fresh. Other good add-ins include fish, lean beef, asparagus, tomatoes and cheese. Using brown rice increases the fiber content and contributes to your whole grain consumption. This supports healthy digestion and helps keep cholesterol at desirable levels.
Vegetable Soup
Using frozen vegetables and broth makes it simple to prepare a healthy soup that makes a good microwavable meal. The base could be chicken, beef or vegetable broth with any type of frozen vegetable you want to include. Mixed vegetables, peas, corn, fajita style vegetables, asparagus, green beans and broccoli are all ingredients that make a healthy, vegetable-filled soup. It is important to cook soup in the right containers to prevent exposure to chemicals in some plastics. Glass and ceramic are recommended by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Alternatively, you can purchase canned soups and heat them in the microwave in safe containers for a healthy meal. Look for brands that are low in calories, fat and sodium. Healthy Choice and Campbell's both market brands that are healthier options than traditional condensed soups.
Member Comments