No matter if we cook at home or dine out, we always encounter the problem of leftovers. At this time, many people choose to keep the leftovers for the next meal or even the next day. However, we know that leftovers are not good for our health. So how should we handle these leftovers?
1. Leftovers should be eaten the next meal, not the next day
How should we eat leftovers? Some people put the leftovers in the refrigerator and heat them up in the microwave before eating. Although the rice is heated, this method is not scientific. Leftover rice stored in the refrigerator becomes hard under low temperature conditions. Even if it is reheated through steaming or microwaving, it will not return to its original texture and digestibility.
More importantly, starchy foods like rice and noodles are prone to be infested with staphylococcus bacteria, and the toxins produced by these bacteria are not easily decomposed at high temperatures. Experts suggest that starchy foods should be consumed within 4 hours. If rice has been stored for a long time, even if it doesn't appear spoiled, it should not be eaten. It is best to eat rice immediately after it is cooked, at most the next meal, but not the next day.
2. Leftovers should not be kept for more than 6 hours
Leftovers should be consumed within a few hours. Leftovers from breakfast should be eaten for lunch, and leftovers from lunch should be eaten for dinner. It is best to consume them within 5 to 6 hours. If food is stored for too long, bacteria in the food will release chemical toxins, and heating will not eliminate these toxins.
3. Leftovers must be reheated
Food taken out of the refrigerator must be reheated. This is because the temperature of the refrigerator can only inhibit bacterial growth and cannot completely kill them. If you don't heat the food before consuming it, it can cause discomfort, such as dysentery or diarrhea. Especially for common dishes like fish and seafood during the Spring Festival, which are the best breeding ground for E. coli, they should be thoroughly reheated with alcohol, scallions, ginger, etc., not only for freshness but also for sterilization purposes.
4. Longer heating time before reusing leftovers
In addition, during the Chinese New Year, there are often a lot of leftover meat dishes. These meat dishes, especially fish and seafood, must be heated for a longer period of time before reuse because harmful bacteria in the air can adhere to leftovers that are high in protein and fat. If not heated enough, these bacteria cannot be killed, and once consumed, food poisoning can easily occur.
Leftovers should be consumed within 5-6 hours. In general, most pathogenic bacteria can be killed by heating at a high temperature of 100°C for a few minutes. However, if food is stored for too long, bacteria in the food will release chemical toxins, and heating will not eliminate these toxins.
5. Different leftovers require different heating techniques
Among leftovers, fish, shrimp, crab, and shellfish are the most perishable, even when stored at low temperatures, they can produce bacteria and spoil easily. Therefore, it is best to add some wine, scallions, ginger, garlic, and other seasonings when reheating. This not only enhances the flavor but also has a certain sterilization effect, which can prevent gastrointestinal discomfort.
Compared to seafood and vegetables, meat is less likely to produce carcinogens such as nitrites, but it must be thoroughly heated. It is best to heat it for more than 10 minutes or microwave it for more than 1 minute. When heating, adding vinegar is recommended - meat is rich in minerals, and these minerals will be released with water during heating. When these substances encounter acetic acid, they will form calcium acetate, which is beneficial for the absorption and utilization by the human body.
Rice, steamed buns, and other staple foods are best consumed the next day because starchy foods are prone to be infested with staphylococcus bacteria and aflatoxin. These harmful substances cannot be killed even under high temperature heating. Therefore, if the leftovers haven't been consumed after two days, even if they appear to be fine, they should not be eaten.
From a nutritional and safety perspective, it is best to avoid eating leftover vegetables. In addition, it is important to note that it is better not to eat leftover cold dishes, regardless of whether they are vegetarian or meat-based. If not heated, the bacteria in them are not easily killed, which can lead to discomfort such as diarrhea.
