🛑 3 Foods You Should Never Reheat
1. Rice
It might surprise you, but reheated rice can cause food poisoning if not stored and reheated properly.
Cooked rice can harbor Bacillus cereus, a bacteria that survives cooking. When rice is left at room temperature, the bacteria multiply — and reheating doesn’t destroy the toxins they produce.
Safer choice: Eat rice freshly cooked, or refrigerate it immediately and consume within 24 hours cold (in salads or sushi rolls).
2. Eggs
Scrambled, boiled, or fried — reheated eggs can lose nutrients and develop compounds that are hard to digest. More importantly, they may harbor bacteria if left out for too long before reheating.
Especially for adults over 60, whose digestive enzymes are less active, reheated eggs can lead to stomach upset or foodborne illness.
Safer choice: Cook fresh eggs when you need them; they only take a few minutes!
3. Chicken
Chicken is rich in protein — but when reheated, those proteins can break down differently and become tougher to digest. Worse, if it’s not reheated evenly, bacteria like Salmonella or Campylobacter can survive.
Safer choice: Eat chicken cold in a salad or sandwich, or reheat it thoroughly to at least 165°F (74°C) only once. Avoid reheating multiple times.
✅ 3 Foods You Should Reheat (They Get Healthier!)
1. Potatoes
When cooked, cooled, and reheated, potatoes develop resistant starch — a type of carbohydrate that supports gut health and stabilizes blood sugar.
Tip: Roast or boil potatoes, let them cool overnight, and reheat them the next day for a fiber boost that’s great for digestive and heart health.
2. Pasta and Rice (When Stored Properly)
Just like potatoes, properly refrigerated pasta and rice gain more resistant starch after being cooled and reheated. This means they digest more slowly and help control blood sugar spikes — especially beneficial for people over 60 managing diabetes or metabolism issues.
Tip: Store leftovers in the fridge (below 40°F / 4°C) and reheat only once.
3. Leafy Greens Like Spinach and Kale
Surprisingly, reheating greens (in soups or stir-fries) can actually make some nutrients, like iron and calcium, more bioavailable.
However, it’s crucial to reheat gently — avoid microwaving for too long or using high heat, as it can destroy vitamins and produce nitrates.
Tip: Reheat greens quickly in a pan with olive oil for a nutrient-rich boost.
Bonus Safety Tips for Reheating Food
- Always cool leftovers quickly and store them in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking.
- Use a food thermometer — reheated food should reach at least 165°F (74°C).
- Never reheat food more than once.
- When in doubt — throw it out!
