Throw Out Your Leftovers Day – November 29, 2024

History
Timeline
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate

Throw Out Your Leftovers Day is celebrated each year on November 29. The goal of the day is to get all of us to throw away the leftovers that are rotting in the fridge and frankly too far gone for consumption. Stocking up is one thing but hoarding food, especially leftovers are not just bad for your fridge but also detrimental to your health. Eating days-old leftovers regularly can rob your body of important nutrients because when food is kept away for a long time, the nutrition levels go down and some food items may even become toxic. So do your gut a favor and throw out your leftovers!

History of Throw Out Your Leftovers Day

With our busy schedules, cooking fresh food every day can get rather hectic. Storing food in containers or wrapped up in plastic foils is pretty common these days. While it’s all well and good, sometimes we simply forget that there is food in the fridge! This results in food getting
spoilt, going to waste, and ultimately stinking up the fridge. There’s no real reason why Throw Out Your Leftovers Day originated except to remind us to clean up our fridges.

But how do we end up hoarding leftovers? Other than forgetfulness, it is often a poor personal habit. The most common of which are poor food shopping habits. Many of us struggle with estimating how much we should cook for our families, and therefore end up overdoing it. This is very common when we have guests over and don’t know how much food will be consumed during a meal. To prevent embarrassment, we often overcompensate and cook way beyond what is consumed. When we inevitably end up with too much food, the extras go in the fridge, followed by us forgetting about them.

Another thing we should be concerned about is how good the old food is for our health. In most cases, the taste isn’t compromised much yet you can feel the difference between freshly cooked food and your leftovers. However, some argue that the nutritional value of leftover food is far lower than freshly cooked food and it’s best not to consume them over long periods. Throw Out Your Leftovers Day is the perfect opportunity to not just clean out your fridge but also evaluate your habits.

Throw Out Your Leftovers Day timeline

1834

Refrigerator

Jacob Perkins builds the first refrigerator system — paving the way for modern refrigeration.

1910

Aluminum Foil

An Industrialist, Robert Victor Neher, invents aluminum foil.

1933

Saran Wrap

Ralph Wiley accidentally discovered Saran wraps while having trouble washing his beakers.

1946

Tupperware®

Earl Tupper creates innovative plastic containers that are lightweight and non-breakable.

Throw Out Your Leftovers Day FAQs

What can I do with leftover food?

Compost the food or have it the next day. Another method is freezing it to enjoy at a later stage or adding them to a new dish of your own invention.

Is leftover food safe to eat?

Leftovers can be kept for three to four days in the refrigerator. Eat them within that time — the risk of food poisoning increases thereafter.

Can I eat leftovers after five days?

According to the F.D.A. Food Code, all perishable foods that are opened or prepared should be thrown out after seven days.

Throw Out Your Leftovers Day Activities

Do the obvious
Throw out your leftovers on Throw Out your Leftovers Day. Get rid of that old food that has been lying there for a week and replace them with fresh vegetables and fruits. This is the best way to celebrate the day!
Clean your fridge
Take the day to also give your fridge a good do-over. Air it out, deep cleanse it, and more to remove all the stink from the leftovers.
Be mindful of your habits
Learn how to shop and cook in the right amounts to prevent leftovers from piling up. This is also a great way to reduce wastage.

5 Facts About Tupperware® That Will Blow Your Mind

The lid design
The lid design was inspired by a paint can — the partial vacuum seal keeps food fresh.
Tupperware® parties back then
Tupperware® parties started after the products failed to make sales in stores.
Tupperware® parties today
One Tupperware® party is held every 1.4 seconds around the globe.
It’s an expensive business
Tupperware® makes almost two billion dollars annually.
It is one of mankind’s greatest inventions
Tupperware® was hailed as one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century.

Why We Love Throw Out Your Leftovers Day

Finally, time to get rid of leftovers
We love Throw Out Your Leftovers Day because it’s finally time to be rid of the leftovers that have created a mess in your refrigerator. This holiday also encourages us to lead a healthier lifestyle.
Makes you mindful
Throw Out Your Leftovers Day also makes you aware of the food that goes to waste in your home. It allows us to change our bad habits and teach ourselves and our kids' good personal habits.
Reduces wastage
Food wastage is a serious issue that concerns every one of us. When you cook the right amount of food, you ensure that none is going to waste. This day aims to make people realize the importance of food and why one must not waste it.