You Should Never Reheat These 6 Foods In A Microwave

Last Updated:January 22, 2025, 17:19 IST

Reheating chicken, eggs, spinach, soup, and rice in the microwave can be harmful due to bacteria growth, nutrient loss, and chemical changes

A microwave is a quick and easy way to heat food. It has become an essential part of modern life offering convenience and efficiency. But did you know that the food you eat after reheating has had its nutrition destroyed in the microwave? Reheating certain food items in the microwave can be harmful to your health as well.

Here are the six food items that should not be reheated in the microwave.

1. Chicken: Reheating chicken in the microwave can be dangerous for your health. When the chicken gets cold, bacteria can grow in it. If it is not reheated properly, it can be harmful to eat, which can cause stomach issues. Therefore, always heat the chicken completely, or avoid reheating it.
2. Eggs: If you reheat an egg in the microwave, it can cause changes in the protein structure of the egg. This can make your egg tough. Apart from this, bacteria can also develop in the egg.
3. Vitamin C-rich food: Vitamin C foods are often water-soluble; that is, they dissolve in water. Also, vitamin C is very sensitive to heat. In such a situation, whenever you reheat any such food in the microwave, its vitamin C content is destroyed. Broccoli, bell peppers, berries and green leafy vegetables fall in this category.
4. Spinach and greens: Reheating spinach or other greens (like fenugreek, mustard etc.) in the microwave can be harmful to your health. They contain nitrates, which, if reheated at a high temperature, can turn into nitrites. This can be very dangerous for your body, affecting the heart as well as the blood pressure level.
5. Watery soups and stews: While reheating watery soups or stews, it is essential that they are heated completely; otherwise, bacteria can grow in them. Additionally, if the soup or stew contains any milk or cream, it may spoil and taste bad when reheated after cooling.
6. Rice: If rice is not stored properly, bacteria (such as Bacillus cereus) can grow in it, which can cause stomach problems. So, when reheating rice, make sure it is heated through and consumed immediately.