Your questions answered! I love eating food leftovers, however, there are a few guidelines one needs to follow, as it is possible to get sick from eating some.
Here is my quick reference guide.
Raw Fruit + Veg
All raw fruit and veg need to be thoroughly washed in clean water before you eat it (yes even organically grown!). The shelf life of fresh: 3-5 days. The shelf life of cooked, leftover vegetables stored in an airtight container: 3-7 days in the fridge.
Bread
Bread can last for approximately 3 days at room temperature if it is homemade. Store-bought can last for 5-7 -always check for mould and do not eat it if you see any.
Cooked Pata + Grains
Cooked pasta and grains can keep for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container and then put in the fridge when cooled properly.
Cooked Rice
Cooked rice is the exception to the above rule as this type of grain can carry the bacteria Bacillus cereus that can cause food poisoning. So to avoid this, store and cool the rice within 1 hour of cooking and then eat it within 3 days max.
Ground Meat + Poultry
Ground meat and poultry that has been cooked to a safe temperature can last for 1-2 days so long stored in the fridge at or below 5 degrees centigrade.
Other Meat + Poultry
Other meat and poultry, such as steaks, fillets, chops, and roasts, last 3-4 days if stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
Deli Meat
Meat from the deli counter and cold deli salads that use animal protein in them, need to be stored in the fridge and eaten within 3-5 days.
Cooked Eggs
Cooked eggs are another food that has a high risk of food poisoning. Shelled hard-boiled eggs need to be eaten within 7 days of being cooked and stored in the fridge once cooled.
Soups + Stews
Soups and stews, with or without meat, last 3-4 days in the fridge.
Restaurant Meals
Restaurant meals are tricky because you don’t know how fresh the ingredients are at the time you ate them. Always consume these faster than homemade equivalents, so typically within 3 days. Unless the leftover meal contains raw fish or vegetables, which then needs consuming within 24 hours.
Source: Health Line
