Is it wrong to throw away leftovers?

Question

I caught my boyfriend throwing away a small bowl of leftovers from yesterday's lunch. Another day, he throw away my rice too and I got upset. I stated my views and in my opinion doing that is throwing your own money down the trash.

You're throwing away food that could've been used in other version or even apply for salads. Secondly, it saves you form cooking a new meal and therefore less work in the kitchen.

WindAtMyBack · Accepted Answer

I normally don't throw away leftovers unless it's gone bad, or if I keep putting off eating it and know I never will. Every now and then I'll just go a cleaning spree and throw stuff out.

People vary a lot on this. Some people just don't eat many leftovers, or none at all. I'm not sure I would necessarily call it wrong.

I'm a pack rat myself. It's hard for me to throw things of value away. I don't mind giving them away, but not tossing them. Being a pack rat is probably not a good habit. So maybe it's the same with food.

Just out of curiosity, are you a pack rat? Is he?

Vencam · Accepted Answer

I don't really see why would it be OK to do so, if one understands the basics of "not being wasteful"
It really doesn't take much more then some imagination to put them to good use (it's also how I discovered quite a few recipes too) so the only reason I see to throw them out is laziness really 🤔
E. g.: putting in the oven a new, pre-cooked meal rather then cooking a new one to which add the leftovers and find out how to have them go well together.

flamiE · Accepted Answer

I really hate throwing away food. I try to make a menu for the week so I know what I’m gonna need and then I meal prep, i cook every 2-3 days, in most cases i’d cook every other day cause after day 2 the food tastes kinda weird. But leftovers from the day before should be edible so I don’t see why would someone throw it away. It honestly saves so much time 😅 I don’t understand the whole cooking everyday concept.

___nik · Accepted Answer

i hate throwing away leftovers too, but i genuinely think your boyfriend may have thrown it away because he doesn't like the food. that's why most of the people i've met throw away edible food. . .

kkirk4442 · Answer

It sounds like you and your boyfriend are used to treating left over differently. Perhaps if he understood, and you told him kindly, how useful left overs can be, and that you will use them, he will change what he does with left overs. Keep in mind, this is a paradigm shift for him, and that doesn't necessarily happen immediately. it can take time to change, just as you take time to change some things about you.

cth96190 · Answer

My idiot mother throws away food after two days.
She appears to have not grasped the purpose and function of a refrigerator.
When I have leftovers that have passed a use by date, I offer the food to the multitude of wild animals with whom I share my rural property.
Consequently, nothing is wasted.

COMMODOREII · Answer

I agree with you. I like leftovers especially certain foods since it tastes better the second time around but i do they to eat them quickly because over time if you find something you forgot it ain't leftovers anymore but a science project. Lol

Inquisitive3 · Answer

I find it insulting when people leave any of my food on their plate since I'm a pretty good cook. It also just irks me. Seems a waste in a world that is so lacking in food.

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

I think its stupid if the food is still good to eat.

andreasderjuengere · Answer

Our leftovers go into the compost - so that they produce plant life later on.
But we make sure that this amount is at a low rate.
I think, it's wrong when it's done out of carelessness or disrespect for (own, or global) resources.

Madhatter920 · Answer

It's certainly wasteful to throw away perfectly good food.

Aakash_Hangargi · Answer

Well it depends on the quantity like how much really was it.

Also what kind of food it is, was it going to rot or something?

And honestly plain rice can be reused so yup it was stupid to throw that out.

at least it. Could have been given to those who are in need

FakeName123 · Answer

I think it is wrong to throw away good food. No point in doing it other than decadence. It's disrespectful and a waste of money. Not to mention that a lot of foods taste better after a day.

DizzyDesii · Answer

Leftovers are good for the next day but should be thrown away the day after that

psychoticanimallover · Answer

No, but it is wrong to throw away someone else’s leftovers.

KimmyWhimmy · Answer

I try to eat all my leftovers because it could have fed some boy in Somalia. If you throw away food that isn't bad then that's not good. There's no reason to throw away perfectly good food.

locutus9999 · Answer

well that depends. If younuse or. not the left overs, personally once i cook I do not waste. i cook justbenough for the moment. and yest isna waste of money. some rice can be repurpose, and so.

FatherJack · Answer

If it is perfectly edible , then yes , it's a waste

Anonymous · Answer

Yeah since it’s still good it’s foolish, I never like throwing away leftovers

pingiluv · Answer

I was raised not to waste food. I actually meal prep each week so technically I’m eating leftovers al the time 😅

sheikalana · Answer

I hate throwing away food in general it makes feel like I've sinned really badly. I would only throw it away if it was spoiled.

Iron_Man · Answer

It is don’t ever waste food people starving in China

RingOfFire · Answer

Who is paying for the food? If it's his money he can do whatever he wants with it. If its your money he can't.

pleasestopthis · Answer

I hate it when people waste edible food like that. I usually use yesterday's leftovers to cook something new.

Is it wrong to throw away leftovers?

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