Rice, Potatoes & Other Foods You Should Not Reheat

Reheating leftovers is common, but not all foods are safe to warm up again. Some can lose nutrients, develop harmful bacteria, or cause digestive problems when reheated

All images from Canva

Knowing which foods to avoid reheating can help protect your health and prevent food poisoning. Here are five foods you shouldn’t reheat

When reheated, especially in a microwave, chicken’s protein structure changes, which can upset digestion and sometimes cause stomach discomfort

Cooked rice can develop Bacillus cereus bacteria spores if left out too long. Reheating doesn’t always destroy these toxins and can lead to food poisoning. Always refrigerate rice promptly and reheat only once

Mushrooms have delicate proteins that break down quickly. Reheating can change their composition, potentially causing stomach issues and loss of nutrients. Eat them fresh or cold if already cooked

Cooked potatoes left at room temperature can encourage the growth of Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Reheating doesn’t reliably remove the risk

Cooked eggs, especially scrambled or boiled, can become rubbery and develop harmful compounds when reheated. They also lose much of their nutritional value. It’s best to cook only what you’ll eat right away