What To Do with Leftovers
If you can never seem to use the whole head of cabbage or bunch of parsley, we are here to help. Even the best meal planners will wind up with some leftovers! Here are some creative ways to make the most of them.
Freeze leftover herbs
Chop herbs to fill about three-quarters of each compartment of an ice cube tray. Cover with cold water or olive oil and freeze. You can use these cubes in soups, stews, sauces, and more.
Freeze for smoothies
You can add just about anything to a smoothie, from herbs to lettuce. Use your produce fresh or freeze it for a smoothie at a later time.
Freeze produce for chicken stock
Homemade chicken stock tastes so much better than store-bought and is more nutritious. Freeze produce scraps and leftover pieces of vegetables to make your own. This is a great use for chicken bones, too.
Gut health benefit
Simmering chicken and bones releases beneficial nutrients for gut health, such as collagen, amino acids, and minerals into the liquid. These nutrients support the health of the gut lining, which is key for maintaining gut health and preventing leaky gut. Glutamine, an important amino acid, is especially beneficial for gut health as it plays a major role in repairing and rebuilding the mucosal lining of the GI tract. Add in lots of vegetables for prebiotics and spices and herbs for an extra anti-inflammatory boost to support the microbiome.
Juice leftover produce
Juice is another versatile option. You can juice everything from celery to parsley to create a nutrient-dense drink using your remaining produce. If the juice is too bitter, try adding a bit of apple to the mix for sweetness.
Gut health benefit
Juices are hydrating which supports motility. They are also high in anti-inflammatory compounds that support the overall health of the gut, mitigating inflammation. The more variety of plants that you can add in the better! Diversity = a more robust microbiome.
Dehydrate
You can dehydrate most fruits and vegetables to create snacks or garnishes for your meals. Leftover blueberries are delicious added to oatmeal and trail mix, while leftover herbs can be dehydrated and stored in glass jars for later use.
Gut health benefit
Dried fruits and herbs may have a more concentrated antioxidant content than their fresh counterparts, making this a convenient way to pack in more antioxidants.
Make Salads
A variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs are a great addition to salads. You can also use your herbs in a flavorful citrus-herb dressing by combining 2 parts oil and 1 part citrus juice with chopped herbs, salt, and pepper.
Gen La Rocca
Chef Gen is a professionally trained recipe developer and culinary school graduate. She is also the owner of the California-inspired recipe site Two Cloves Kitchen. She is a certified holistic chef, and offers 1:1 culinary and health coaching through genlarocca.com. As the creator of Meal Planning Pro, Chef Gen develops flavorful recipes that boost gut health. Featured in major publications like Food & Wine and Woman’s World, she emphasizes the importance of proper digestion and delicious food for overall wellness and personal nourishment.
Sophia Deahl, MS, RDN
Sophia Deahl, a registered dietitian and owner of Collective Wellness, advocates for ‘food as medicine’ and lifestyle medicine. She guides clients to optimal health through a holistic approach, addressing root causes. With a background in Nutrition, Healthspan, Longevity, and Psychology, Sophia offers programs using functional testing and dietary interventions. She promotes an 80/20 mentality for a healthy relationship with food. Sophia also speaks and consults for brands, leveraging over 6 years of experience in brand partnerships and marketing.
Great tips!