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The Secret Life of Leftovers

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Re: The Secret Life of Leftovers

#31

Post by xboxnolifes »

mc32 wrote: post #6
helpfulmandrill wrote: post #2

As someone who has sometimes used "food waste" as an excuse to overeat, I find the concept of "metabolic food waste" useful. That is, food that you over eat is still wasted food. If you bought or cooked too much food, that was the point at which you made a mistake, and that mistake cannot be undone by proceeding to stuff your face.

So what about people who overeat just to work off the calories later? Is that food waste too? In other words is leisure exercise above that which helps keep the body fit, exercise that leads to food waste?

Its not overeating if they worked it off.

Re: The Secret Life of Leftovers

#32

Post by GoodbyeMrChips »

pertique wrote: post #29
GoodbyeMrChips wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I can't imagine wasting food from a restaurant -- I always have taken my leftovers home and eaten them later. Is this a thing where you are from? I suggest here in Blighty, the waiters would be rather confused by such a request; not to mention something of a social faux pas.

It's very common in the US, at least the parts I've been. It depends on the restaurant, of course, but most places will provide a takeout box to take home uneaten food if you ask. In fact, it's not uncommon for the waiter to offer a box unprompted if you have a fair amount of leftover food.

> in the US

Ah, this makes sense.

I recall eating in US restaurants and being given ridiculously large portions... something we half-joked - half-seriously suggested was down to the size of some of the patrons. Presumably is it instead the expectation that some of the food is taken home.

Re: The Secret Life of Leftovers

#33

Post by GoodbyeMrChips »

EricE wrote: post #18

Awesome article. If there is one takeaway for everyone from it is the myth of the "expiration date". Boggles my mind that food banks routinely reject *canned* food that is even one day out of date.

> the myth of the "expiration date"

We (UK) have use by dates, and best before dates.

They mean exactly what they say.

i.e. Raw chicken will have a use by date, eat it beyond this and you risk getting the shits. On the other hand all fruit, veg, tins and most dairy simply have best before dates.... meaning use your eyes and nose to see if it is OK.

Re: The Secret Life of Leftovers

#34

Post by asdff »

GoodbyeMrChips wrote: post #32
pertique wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's very common in the US, at least the parts I've been. It depends on the restaurant, of course, but most places will provide a takeout box to take home uneaten food if you ask. In fact, it's not uncommon for the waiter to offer a box unprompted if you have a fair amount of leftover food.

> in the US Ah, this makes sense. I recall eating in US restaurants and being given ridiculously large portions... something we half-joked - half-seriously suggested was down to the size of some of the patrons. Presumably is it instead the expectation that some of the food is taken home.

For some types of food if I order takeout and I finish the entire portion in one go, I'm extremely disappointed

Re: The Secret Life of Leftovers

#35

Post by MarkSweep »

ciphol wrote: post #15
helpfulmandrill wrote: post #2

As someone who has sometimes used "food waste" as an excuse to overeat, I find the concept of "metabolic food waste" useful. That is, food that you over eat is still wasted food. If you bought or cooked too much food, that was the point at which you made a mistake, and that mistake cannot be undone by proceeding to stuff your face.

Or as I heard it, "better to destroy your food than destroy your body".

Or “better to go to waste than go to your waist”.

Re: The Secret Life of Leftovers

#36

Post by euroderf »

EricE wrote: post #18

Awesome article. If there is one takeaway for everyone from it is the myth of the "expiration date". Boggles my mind that food banks routinely reject *canned* food that is even one day out of date.

Foods' resilience vis-á-vis expiration dates varies. For example: yogurt seems unaffected even a week after "expiration". Manufacturers by law have to set a date, but it ain't a law for end-consumers.

Re: The Secret Life of Leftovers

#37

Post by euroderf »

notacoward wrote: post #17

I don't think I'll go dumpster diving any time soon, but I do take significant pride in using up leftovers. In fact, the poutine example is particularly relevant to me. Just the other night I made a kind of poutine from old pasta, random bits of cheese from the drawer, and leftover KFC gravy. It was delicious. "Daddy casserole" made from whatever I can find in the fridge is not only tolerated but eagerly consumed in…

At our grade school, "Cowboy Shortcake" was what they called Leftovers Surprise.

Re: The Secret Life of Leftovers

#38

Post by nyc_pizzadev »

Benlights wrote: post #10

Reading about food waste has always bothered me. Growing up in a Jewish orthodox household wasting food was verboten. There is even a mitzvah (commandment) regarding wasting food and or resources[1]. I think that mindset drove me to be named the "leftovers king" by my extended family, as I repurpose leftovers into delicious meals. There are a couple techniques that can help turn fridge leftovers into really good meal…

Yup, I would say a lot of families are very conscious about not wasting food. These habits are still being passed down to future generations. But as this article points out, the biggest sources of waste are producers, distributors, and sellers. Not sure what can be done to remedy that waste.

Re: The Secret Life of Leftovers

#40

Post by ValentineC »

Arrath wrote: post #24
EricE wrote: post #18

Awesome article. If there is one takeaway for everyone from it is the myth of the "expiration date". Boggles my mind that food banks routinely reject *canned* food that is even one day out of date.

This is a fight I am still waging with my girlfriend, who feels that an expiration date is law.

I feel like I'm constantly at loggerheads with many of my friends too because of this. It's silly how so many of them unquestioningly obey expiration dates.

The silliest though are people who do so, but happily leave a pack of opened UHT milk in the fridge for months because it wouldn't expire for another year or so.

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