What Can I Eat?
Leftovers
How Can Leftovers Help?
• Saves money. You aren’t wasting food.
• Saves time. You only cook once.
• Reduces stress. On a busy day, you don’t have to cook.
Tips
• Double recipes so you will have extra for the next day.
• Choose healthy “batch” recipes that make a lot like
soup, chili, stew, or pasta.
• If you won’t eat leftovers within a few days, freeze
them so they will keep longer.
• When you eat out, portions can be very large. Wrap
up half of your meal for the next day.
• Use leftovers to make other meals. See examples on
this sheet.
Chill Foods Safely!
• Refrigerate or freeze leftovers within 2 hours.
• Divide leftovers into shallow containers for quick
cooling.
• Keep your refrigerator at 40 F or below.
• Keep your freezer at 0 F or below.
Thaw Foods Safely!
Never thaw foods at room temperature. You can:
• Thaw foods in the refrigerator the day before using.
• Thaw foods by covering with cold water in a bowl or
sink.
 Change the water every half hour to keep the water cold. Cook right after thawing.
• Thaw foods in the microwave. Cook right after
thawing.
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Ways to use Leftovers
Example # 1: You roast a chicken for dinner and have
it with boiled potatoes and green beans. Here’s how
you can use the extra chicken:
• Have it on top of a salad.
• Toss it with pasta and veggies.
Write down your ideas:
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Example #2: You cook a pot of beans to make rice and
beans. Here’s how you can use the extra beans:
• Make veggie tacos. Mix beans, cooked veggies, salsa,
and a bit of cheese. Wrap it all in a corn tortilla.
• Use the beans to make chili.
Write down your ideas:
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2._______________________________________________________
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For more information visit diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES
What Can I Eat?
Your ideas
What are some foods you often have leftover? Write down ways you could use them.
Food
Meal Ideas
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Looking for healthy recipes and food tips?
Sign up for our FREE online resource,
Recipes for Healthy Living at diabetes.org/recipes.
1-800-DIABETES
(1-800-342-2383)
www.diabetes.org
© 2015 American Diabetes Association
3/2015