Leftovers show up in many different forms. Sometimes it’s a smaller portion of the meal you made the night before. Sometimes it’s a random condiment and half a box of rice from takeout. However they look, they still have value and can be used towards creating your next meal. Here are a few tips on making the most of your leftovers.

#1. Eat leftovers as leftovers. Sometimes no additional work is needed to change your leftovers into another meal. Cold pizza for breakfast anyone? For food safety, chill leftovers quickly after a meal and reheat to 165°F if reheating.

#2. Make it into a salad. Introducing fresh greens to the dish makes the meal feel fresh and new. Smaller portions of grains or proteins or even cooked vegetables make great toppings for salads.

#3. Toss it in a stir fry. Like salad, stir frys are a great catch-all for small portions of odd leftovers. Use rice or pasta and add low-sodium soy sauce, some scrambled egg, and any vegetables you have on hand to round out the meal.

#4. Create a signature sandwich. Place your leftovers on bread, a wrap, or a tortilla. Now you have handheld leftovers that make an easy lunch or supper! Consider adding your favorite sandwich toppings to boost the flavor.

#5. Change the flavor profile. Sometimes adding new spices or another condiment is all it takes to make a meal feel brand new. Consider the existing flavors and choose something complementary to what’s already there.

Other considerations: Restaurant portions are often much larger than what we would normally eat at home. Set an intention to bring some of the meal home with you to be enjoyed again later. Similarly, restaurant meals often are heavy on starch and proteins and light on fruits and vegetables. Pair your leftovers with an extra serving of vegetables or some fresh fruit to make a more nutritionally balanced meal. Lastly, reusing your leftovers for another meal helps keep food out of the landfill. With a little creativity, we can help reduce food waste!

Could you use more help in creating balanced meals to eat throughout the week? Reach out to me at (785) 560-2566 or rdn@manhattannutritionclinic. I’d love to help!