Leftovers

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Leftovers are surplus foods remaining unconsumed at the end of a meal, which may be put in containers with the intention of eating later. Inedible remains like bones are considered waste, not leftovers. Depending on the situation, the amount of food, and the type of food, leftovers may be saved or thrown away.

The use of leftovers depends on where the meal was eaten, the preferences of the diner, and the local culture. Leftovers from meals at home are often eaten later. This is facilitated by the private environment and convenience of airtight containers and refrigeration. People may eat leftovers directly from the refrigerator, reheat them, or use them as ingredients to make a new dish.

At restaurants, uneaten food from meals is sometimes taken by diners for later consumption. In the United States, a once common term for the containers the leftover food was put into was "doggy bag", with the food being notionally to feed to pets, whether or not it is in actuality.