So many people tell me they do not like or eat “leftovers.” I honestly don’t get that. It is was good today, it will still be good in a day or two. But that’s not what I wanted to highlight here. There are certain foods that are actually healthier when eaten as “leftovers.”
I’m talking about grains like rice and pasta and starchy veggies like white and sweet potatoes as well as legumes.. Simply by cooking, cooling, refrigerating overnight and then gently reheating to eat the next day, more of their starch content is changed to resistant starch.
Why does this matter? Resistant starch has numerous benefits including healing leaky gut, helping to minimize bone loss, improving insulin sensitivity and helping with weight loss. You can read about all the benefits here.
This means by simply doing this, you can boost the nutritional value of foods that are already healthy (think sweet potatoes or beans) and make those that are not thought to have the same nutritional value (white potatoes, pasta) even healthier! It may take planning your meal ahead, but the benefits are sure worth it.
Are you familiar with resistant starch? How do you feel about eating leftovers?
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We love leftovers so we should be pretty good. I typically cook enough for us to at least have lunch the next day and have always thought some things tasted better the next day. When I first married my husband he claimed he did not like leftovers, but now he appreciates them and actually looks forward to eating them for lunch the next day. Also, I have learned to recycle leftover food into other things like soups, tacos, stir fries, and casseroles. I puree leftover veggies and use them in meatloaf. My picky teenager who “hates” veggies loves my my meatloaf. It is so nice to know that there is also nutritional value in eating leftovers.
Absolutely Rochelle. I have always done the same thing and have had to be a “stealthy” cook for one of my children when
they were small and for my husband (still!) who are the picky ones and don’t realize they actually like beans and veggies!
Now I know why I always make more bean soup than I should! It’s actually better for me as the week goes on! 🙂 I’ve often wondered if my wife and I are the “King and Queen of Leftovers” or it’s because we just never learned to prepare less. 🙂 Turns out, we’re eating healthier this way.
Yes! I have always done the same thing and you are right on both counts!!
I’ve read this before. I’m wondering if you’ve written about potatoes before. Either way, I love leftovers. There’s nothing like making a huge pot of chili and having meals for most of the week. I also love to make things, like rice, in huge batches to use over multiple meals. Such a great reminder. And I agree, when people say they don’t like leftovers, I’m like, HOW???!
Haha Oh Holly I’m with you!!
I love leftovers. My great aunt who lived to be a healthy centenarian said people don’t eat enough cold foods as in leftovers. :-). Good to know about the starch.
Your great aunt was definitely on to something, obviously!! Thanks for sharing Debbie.