Reheating leftovers is a common habit in many homes—just warm up yesterday’s sabzi or rice, and lunch is ready.
But not all foods are meant to be reheated. Some change in structure, others lose nutrients, and a few can even affect digestion.
It’s not just about taste—your stomach and health can suffer too. Here are four everyday foods you may want to avoid reheating
1. Spinach
Palak is a nutrient-dense green, packed with iron and nitrates. But when you reheat cooked spinach, those naturally occurring nitrates can convert into compounds that are hard to digest and even harmful in excess. It’s better to cook spinach fresh or enjoy it at room temperature. Leftover palak paneer? Best eaten cold or repurposed without heating.
2. Rice
Plain rice seems harmless, but once cooked, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria if not stored properly. Reheating doesn’t always kill these bacteria, especially if the rice was left out too long. This can lead to food poisoning and stomach upset. If you must reheat rice, make sure it’s been refrigerated right away and heated thoroughly only once.
3. Potatoes
Potatoes in curries or as a dry sabzi tends to lose its texture and flavour when reheated. But beyond that, cooked potatoes stored at room temperature can grow bacteria that aren’t always destroyed by heating. This can lead to bloating or indigestion. To avoid waste, try turning leftover potato dishes into a cold chaat or sandwich filling instead
4. Eggs
Boiled, scrambled, or curried—eggs are rich in protein and best eaten fresh. Reheating them can break down their protein structure, making them tough and harder to digest. In some cases, it may even reduce their nutrient value. Cook just enough to finish in one sitting, or eat the leftovers cold in a salad or wrap.
