This Is How You Avoid Wasting Food

Wasting food is something that we’re all guilty of from time to time. Whether it’s letting produce go bad in the fridge or throwing out half-eaten leftovers, it’s a habit that can have a serious impact on our wallets and the environment. Luckily, there are many ways that we can avoid wasting food. Here are a few tips to help you get started.

Plan Your Meals in Advance

This will help you to know exactly what you need to buy at the grocery store and avoid buying things that you won’t end up using. It can also help you to use up ingredients before they have a chance to go bad.

Meal planning can also help you to cook larger meals and save leftovers for later in the week. You can even freeze extra food for your lunch the day after or for a quick and easy meal later on.

Shop Smart

Don’t go to the grocery store when you’re hungry and have a shopping list with you so that you know exactly what you need to buy. This will help you to avoid impulse purchases of things that you don’t really need.

It’s also a good idea to buy items that are in season as they will be cheaper and of better quality. You can even buy frozen fruits and vegetables if you’re looking for a bargain.

Pay Attention to Expiration Dates

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s easy to forget about the expiration dates on food items. Paying attention to these dates can help you to use up perishable items before they go bad.

You can also extend the shelf life of some foods by storing them properly. For example, you can keep herbs fresh for longer by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and placing them in a resealable bag in the fridge. If you want to store potatoes, keep them away from fruits that release ethylene gas as this will cause them to spoil more quickly.

Don’t Be Afraid of Frozen Foods

Frozen fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious as fresh ones and they can last a lot longer, which means you don’t have to worry about them going bad before you have a chance to use them.

You can also freeze leftovers, bread, and even milk if you know you won’t be able to use it all before it expires. Just make sure to label everything so that you know what it is and when you should use it by.

Use Up Your Scraps

There’s no need to throw out those vegetable scraps! You can use them to make homemade vegetable stock or add them to your compost pile. If you have leftover meat, you can use it to make a tasty soup or stew.

Even bread crusts and cheese rinds can be used to flavor soups and other dishes. Nothing needs to go to waste when you’re getting creative in the kitchen.

Don’t Be Afraid to Get Creative

If you have some ingredients that are close to their expiration date, don’t be afraid to get creative and use them up in a new dish. You can search for recipes online or come up with your own concoction. This is a great way to use up food that you might otherwise throw away. And, who knows, you might just end up with a new family favorite.

You can also repurpose leftovers into new meals. For example, you can turn last night’s roast chicken into a delicious chicken salad or make a frittata out of leftover vegetables.

Composting

Composting is a great way to reduce food waste. You can use your compost pile to fertilize your garden or potted plants. This way, you can save money on store-bought fertilizer and reduce your environmental impact at the same time.

You can also make your own compost bin using a plastic container with a lid or even an old garbage can. Just make sure to punch some holes in the bottom for drainage and put it in a shady spot in your yard. Then, you can add your food scraps to the bin and let nature do its thing.

The Bottom Line

There are many ways to avoid wasting food, but these are just a few of the most effective. By following these tips, you can save money, reduce food waste, and help the environment all at the same time. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!