I can eat the same thing over and over and over again. It is how I am wired. Well. There is an exception to that. I have to “like” what I’m eating.
As I thought about this, I wondered about other people and the subject of leftovers. So I did some research.
– Surveys show most Americans eat leftovers at least once a week, and many rely on them to save time and money.
– That said, people are split emotionally. Some see leftovers as a bonus meal, others as “second-rate food.”
– Interestingly, foods tied to comfort (like pasta, casseroles, soups) are more likely to be enjoyed the second time around.
So there it is in a nutshell. From the information I found.
But if all that is true, I wondered what the most common leftovers might be. And here is what showed up again and again in studies and food polls:
– Pizza (no big surprise there)
– Pasta dishes
– Roast chicken or turkey
– Rice and stir-fry
– Soups and stews
– Casseroles
– Takeout (especially Chinese and Italian)
And here is another thing about leftovers. Some foods are widely considered better the next day. Things like chili, lasagna, and stew. It is probably because the flavors have time to deepen.
Of course, we can’t keep leftovers forever. That’s just bad form. So how long to they last?
– Most cooked leftovers: 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator
– Freeze if you won’t eat them in time (they can last 2–6 months depending on the food)
– Reheat to 165°F (steaming hot) for safety
But we don’t really need these guidelines, because we know the truths of all truths. When in doubt, throw it out. And this. If it smells bad, it probably is.
So as I mentioned, first thing, I can eat the same thing over and over again. Which again made me wonder why. What I found is actually a bit fascinating.
– Some of us do it out of habit and efficiency. That’s right. They just don’t want to think about food decisions every day. So rinse and repeat.
– Others do it for comfort. Having a familiar food reduces mental load. It is easy, it’s predictable, and it is safe.
– Personality. This is me. Research suggests people who like repetition tend to score higher in routine-driven behavior. My OCD in full tilt.
Then there is this. “Food neophobia” vs. “food neophilia”
– Neophilia. Some people love variety and trying new things all the time.
– Neophobia. Others have a fear of trying new things and prefer sticking to what they know. This is definitely NOT me. I love trying new things.
But all in all, most people get bored with having the same taste or flavor over and over again.
Again. Not me.
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“The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.” — Samuel Johnson
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“People don’t resist change. They resist being changed.” — Peter Drucker
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“Life is a balance between holding on and letting go.” — Rumi
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