5 Leftover Foods You Should Never Reheat

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Although reheating leftovers is common, reheating some types of food can be hazardous to one's health. Here are five foods that should never be reheated.

1.   Celeries, spinach and beets

Eating copious amounts of vegetables is said to be good for the health. However, Woman's Day states reheating these veggies is an absolute no-no.

According to the website, warming up these vegetables for a second or third time changes the chemical composition of the nitrates inside, turning them into carcinogens. The source advises removing these vegetables prior to reheating the dish.

MSN says other vegetables that should be eaten raw and never reheated include butter lettuce and turnips.

2.   Chicken

Compared to red meats, chicken contains more protein. The structure of protein changes when heat is applied.

Health Tips Portal says eating reheated chicken can cause digestive problems. Even eating the chicken the following day can be dangerous for one's health.

When reheating any chicken dish, the source suggests doing over low heat for a long amount time. To avoid this problem altogether, MSN advises preparing chicken meat cold, such as placing strips in a salad or sandwich.

3.   Rice

The Food Standards Agency says rice contains bacteria. Cooking the rice does not remove these spores.

However, it's not the reheating process which causes a problem but how the cooked rice was stored before being reheated. Leaving the rice in room temperature actually allows the spores to multiply.

Even reheating the rice won't remove these spores. The agency recommends cooking enough to last for one meal.

If there is more than enough rice, place the rice dish inside the fridge within an hour. You can keep the rice stored inside the fridge for a day at the most.

4.   Potatoes

Similar to rice, how you store the root crop after a meal has significant effects. Leaving potatoes at room temperature can encourage the growth of botulism.

Reheating the dish in a microwave or over the stove won't kill the bacteria. The women's publication advises refrigerating the potato dish immediately after the meal to prevent bacteria from growing or multiplying.

5.   Oil

Some types of oils derived from fruits and nuts such as flaxseed, hazelnut, grape seed and walnut have low smoke points, says MSN. Reheating the oils causes them to become rancid.

The low smoke point makes these oils unsuitable for cooking. Use them sparingly or just use the oils to enhance the flavor of your dish.