How Long Do You Keep Your Leftovers?
By DB
@dgobucks226 (35716)
May 19, 2023 4:41pm CST
With inflation and the rising cost of food prices these days leftovers are as popular as ever for many families. But how do you tell when that food has gone bad? Is there a guideline you follow to know when its time to throw those leftovers away?
Here is information you should be aware of when it comes to spoiled food:
*After a certain number of days you risk the chance of contacting foodborne illnesses like salmonella, E. Coli or listeria.
*The sniff test doesn't work. Most times bacteria does not change the taste, look or smell of leftover food. However, that is not the case with dairy products like milk. I know from personal experience.
*Don't leave food out at room-temperature for more than 2 hours. Pathogens will grow more quickly.
*Hot food should be refrigerated to 40 degrees F or below within an hour after cooking.
Some good advice to follow when trying to save on food expenses! Hope those tips were helpful...
So, how long are you eating those leftovers? And how long past the expiration date would you continue to drink milk?
Source- HackensackMeridianHealth.org
16 people like this
15 responses
@snowy22315 (181956)
• United States
19 May 23
It really depends on what it is. How would you answer the question?
3 people like this
@dgobucks226 (35716)
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20 May 23
Oh, yes of course. Certain foods have different "keep times" before it becomes spoiled. So, what is your "rule of thumb?" You go first and we will compare notes 
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35716)
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20 May 23
That's being safe. A good rule to follow for most foods: -Leftovers should only be eaten for three to four days after initial preparation.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 May 23
People tell me I have an iron stomach. I will keep (and eat) leftovers until they are finally gone. I hate throwing anything away, or seeing food go to waste. I probably eat stuff that is way past being safe, yet I consume it anyway. Like I said, I have an iron stomach.
Now if you'll excuse me, my stomach is hurting. It must be from something I ate! LOL
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 May 23
@dgobucks226 I am constantly eating. My son and I apparently have very high metabolisms, so we constantly need to shovel food into our stomachs; frozen leftovers wouldn't last very long in our household.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35716)
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23 May 23
@moffittjc Well, that's one way to have plenty of freezer storage space if needed 
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@dgobucks226 (35716)
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20 May 23
You know you could freeze those leftovers and give your iron stomach a break 
Fun facts:
-Freezing leftovers will allow you to wait up to 3-4 months before having to enjoy eating them.
Fun facts:
-Freezing leftovers will allow you to wait up to 3-4 months before having to enjoy eating them.1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35716)
•
3 Jun 23
I see you are taking no chances.
Now if those leftovers are really good then freezing is always an option...
-Freezing leftovers will allow you to wait up to 3-4 months before having to enjoy eating them.
1 person likes this
@manikarnika (3236)
• India
4 Jun 23
@dgobucks226 But frozen food is not good for health.
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@dgobucks226 (35716)
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4 Jun 23
@manikarnika Yes, not as good, but waste not want not, especially if it's a healthy meal you can have at another time. Plus, the convenience it offers. Otherwise, why did they invent freezers?
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35716)
•
20 May 23
Sounds good!
Fun facts:
- If milk is properly stored, it will last for 7 days beyond the sell-by date listed on the container. Whole milk may only last 5 days after the expiration date. However, lactose-free or fat-free milk may last as many as 10 days after the expiration date.
1 person likes this
@Butterfingers (66583)
• India
20 May 23
Max 2 days and if they start smelling sour then it's a sign that we need to throw these out
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35716)
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20 May 23
That's a safe rule to follow. -They say as a general rule leftovers should only be eaten for three to four days after initial preparation. Depending on what it is of course.
Fun facts:
- If milk is properly stored, it will last for 7 days beyond the sell-by date listed on the container. Whole milk may only last 5 days after the expiration date. However, lactose-free or fat-free milk may last as many as 10 days after the expiration date.
1 person likes this
@Butterfingers (66583)
• India
21 May 23
@dgobucks226 thanks for this information
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160883)
• United States
20 May 23
I will eat leftovers the next day or if they can be frozen I will put them in individual portions and freeze them. That way I only warm up what we will be eating at a meal.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35716)
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20 May 23
Yes, I will freeze leftovers often. It's a good way to have a future meal all set to go when you want.
Fun facts:
-They say as a general rule leftovers should only be eaten for three to four days after initial preparation. Depending on what it is of course.
-Freezing leftovers will allow you to wait up to 3-4 months before having to enjoy eating them.
@jeanbug23 (992)
• Philippines
22 May 23
I'm gonna eat my leftovers again the next day from the fridge and I will buy or cook another set of food. That way I can save much for food and my expenses will not go down the drain.
@dgobucks226 (35716)
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23 May 23
I agree. That is a great way to save! I often find some leftovers taste just as good the next day.
Fun fact:
-Freezing leftovers will allow you to wait up to 3-4 months before having to enjoy eating them.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35716)
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20 May 23
I freeze a lot of my foods but will eat leftovers too. Usually because I don't want to cook every day. I'll have whatever I refrigerate within 2-3 days.
One bonus with freezing is you already have the meal ready to go when you want it, and Freezing leftovers will allow you to wait up to 3-4 months before having to enjoy eating them.
1 person likes this
@psanasangma (7281)
• India
20 May 23
I think it's depend on food. At my condition as power supply fluctuate we usually keeps only for 1-2 days only
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35716)
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20 May 23
Oh, yes of course. Certain foods have different "keep times" before it becomes spoiled. So, what is your "rule of thumb?" I generally will keep most for 3 days, meat products no more than 4, and fish 2 days tops.
Fun facts:
- If milk is properly stored, it will last for 7 days beyond the sell-by date listed on the container. Whole milk may only last 5 days after the expiration date. However, lactose-free or fat-free milk may last as many as 10 days after the expiration date.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471992)
• Switzerland
20 May 23
I do not toss food and I try to cook the quantity we eat and to avoid leftovers.
If I have leftovers, usually I freeze, so I am not obliged to eat the same thing two days in a row.
I used milk that was 15 days past the expiration day. I smell, I taste and I decide if it's still good. Most food is still good many days after expiration day.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471992)
• Switzerland
21 May 23
@dgobucks226 - I buy partially skimmed milk (1.5% fat) and it was still very good 2 weeks after the expiration date. They are becoming ridiculous with the "expiration date" on products, I have seen this written on honey and salt.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35716)
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20 May 23
I also freeze leftovers and other food items most times to be enjoyed at a later date.
They say you can save them for up to 3-4 months before having to eat them.
Fun fact about milk:
- If milk is properly stored, it will last for 7 days beyond the sell-by date listed on the container. Whole milk may only last 5 days after the expiration date. However, lactose-free or fat-free milk may last as many as 10 days after the expiration date.
1 person likes this
@nela13 (58720)
• Portugal
26 May 23
@dgobucks226 yes, it always depend on the food.
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@dgobucks226 (35716)
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23 May 23
That's a good rule of thumb to follow. Some sources say 3-4 days tops depending on the food.
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@LindaOHio (181321)
• United States
20 May 23
I always watch very carefully how long I keep food...my husband does not. He eats food way past the time that I would. Have a great weekend.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181321)
• United States
21 May 23
@dgobucks226 I prefer freezing extra quantities; but my husband prefers to keep them in the fridge and eat them...sometimes longer than a few days.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35716)
•
20 May 23
-They say as a general rule leftovers should only be eaten for three to four days after initial preparation. Depending on what it is of course.
Fun fact:
-Freezing leftovers will allow you to wait up to 3-4 months before having to enjoy eating them.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35716)
•
20 May 23
-They say as a general rule leftovers should only be eaten for three to four days after initial preparation. Depending on what it is of course.
- If milk is properly stored, it will last for 7 days beyond the sell-by date listed on the container. Whole milk may only last 5 days after the expiration date. However, lactose-free or fat-free milk may last as many as 10 days after the expiration date.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
20 May 23
@dgobucks226 That sounds like a good rule for sure. Some thing like casseroles are good after a few days.
@RasmaSandra (80635)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
19 May 23
Right now I don't drink milk. I make only food I can eat right away,
1 person likes this
