Food steamers--health benefit vs risk?

dash

Hi all, I've been reading about how little nutrients are lost with steaming foods vs regular cooking with water vs microwave. Broccoli as an example--steaming loses 11% vs 86% vs 97%. So while looking for an electric food steamer, I'm finding they are made from plastic(and not the BPA-free stuff!) or aluminum or nonstick stuff. I avoid cooking and eating from all those materials! Why don't these companies complete the thought? Make it a totally healthy way of cooking--steam and steel. Does anyone know of an electric steamer that uses healthier materials?

Thanks in advance!

crazy4carrots

I use a Lagostina double boiler with steamer insert, and steam all my veggies.

Hoping that research doesn't come up with dangers using stainless steel

barbe1958

You can also buy steamers! Miele  has one, very $$$$$. Panasonic has a microwave/steamer (your choice of which option to use. Steaming is great for cooking vegetables, fish and can even 'bake' cakes!

dash

Hi Ivorymom and others,

I guess I was hoping convenience without a price tag(on my health!) It just sounds so appealing to pop your rice or potatoes, protein and vegetables into a counter top steamer, flipping it on and doing something else. Coming back and having the entire meal ready sounded so good!

I do steam some vegs on the stove top but as I said I wanted to do more types of things at one time. I suppose a bamboo steamer is my best option. Can you steam chicken or shrimp or fish in them without leaving a strong scent behind for next time? And how do you figure out what size to buy? For instance, does a 12 inch steamer set fit on a 10 or a 12 inch pot?

Thanks!

pip57

I love steamed veggies.  That is how we have all of them now.  I have also been interested in juicing, but from what I have read in researching this, it seems that steaming is more beneficial.  You don't lose all the stuff left in the pulp, including fiber.  What have others learned about this?

dash

Pretty in pink--I struggle to get in enough fiber every day so juicing doesn't appeal to me but I would LOVE a vitamix blender which makes juice out of the whole fruit and veggie(along with a little water or whatever) I watched a demonstration at my local BJs club and have heard how great they are for years. I tell you if I had an extra $350, that's what I'd buy! For now, I make smoothies in my reg blender--I use blueberries and spinach mostly.

Ivory-hmmm, well, I just got rid of most of my silicone cookware. I just didn't feel comfortable with it. When it came out of the oven, it smelled funny and looked and felt so floppy. I don't know, just a gut feeling for me not to use it. Probably complete paranoia 

I have a steel steamer pot insert and just used it tonight for a huge helping of swiss chard and green beans from my garden. Some salt and pepper and lemon juice...yum...but it'd be so nice to have another couple of layers for potatoes and chicken, too!

abbadoodles

I steam veggies all the time by cutting them up, putting them in one of my old Corningware covered casseroles with a few tablespoons of water and nuking them an appropriate time.  Under 5 minutes is fine for broccoli.  What could be easier?

I do have a SS collapsiblel steamer insert for regular stove-top cooking but never use it anymore.  The microwave is so much faster.