Can Leftover Food From The Previous Day Be Consumed During Pregnancy?

Posted on Thu, 17 Aug 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 17 Aug 2017 Answered on

Wed, 6 Sep 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I'm 23 week pregnant...is it OK to have food prepared for dinner to have in next days lunch... I work and for me it's difficult to cook food in d morning.... I heard many people telling to avoid previous day food...

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
As below

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
It is alright if the food is stored at proper temperature and reheated thoroughly.
Non vegetarian food cannot be safely consumed this way.
In cities with extreme heat and humidity too it's not safe as bacterial growth occurs in the food.
Best is to find a way out and eat fresh.
All the best
Please feel free to discuss further

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (8 hours later)

Thanks for reply..
In pregnancy why we need to have fresh food...
I usually cook food for dinner and then for lunch I keep same sabji in fridge... morning I prepare fresh Chapati and heat sabji at office in microwave...

I have another que... At office when ever I sit for more than 1hr, once I get up and walk I feel pain at lower abdomen near uterus... if I walk for 5 min then I will b comfortable and there won't b any pain

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
As below

Detailed Answer:
With old or reheated food, bacteria may grow leading to food poisoning.
Also freshly prepared food has more nutrition for the baby.
As pregnancy advances, and the uterus grows in size ,some amount of pain is normal.
Don't worry about it.
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T