Health & Fitness

How to Safely Store Your Holiday Leftovers

Four tips for keeping your leftovers fresh and your stomach settled this holiday season

By Wellness Matters /

Credit: Flickr / Kristen Taylor

Don’t let spoiled leftovers ruin your winter holidays

With all of the holiday soirees and family get-togethers, there will be an abundance of food. Here’s how to store your leftovers safely

Nausea, diarrhea and vomiting aren’t always indicators of the flu – they’re also common symptoms of food poisoning caused by consuming improperly stored leftovers.

Foodborne illnesses are a particular concern this time of year; eating a sandwich or a bowl of soup made from turkey, stuffing, etc. that’s been left at room temperature for too long can have you laid up, hugging a waste bin for your winter vacation. 

Help keep this holiday season a healthy one by sticking to these basic tips.

Tips for Safely Storing Leftovers

  • Refrigerate (or freeze) all leftovers within two hours of serving – sooner if possible.
  • Keep all leftover foods in separate, sealed containers. Date them and eat within two days.
  • Refrigerate fast-food leftovers as soon as possible and eat within one day. Also, be sure to reheat them thoroughly. 
  • Store regular leftovers in the freezer for no more than three months. 

Remember, if in doubt, throw it out.

Originally published in Wellness Matters, Canada Wide Media’s quarterly newsletter on health and wellness.