The Holistic Health Warrior

Food Waste – Ain’t nobody got time for that!

The reality is, most families have a fair amount of food waste. In fact, statistics show the average amount of food waste is about 20 – 30%.  Another study showed Americans throw away an average of 20 pounds of food each month—costing them each between $28 and $43.  No one would intentionally shove dollar bills down the disposal or take a bag full of loot to the dump, but that’s virtually what happens when we let food go to waste.  But, you can eliminate most if not all of your food waste by following these simple tips.

1. Plan Your Meals

Check your grocery store flyers ahead of time to see if you can meal plan around the sale items for the week. If you know what meals you want to cook based on the sales, what you have on hand, and what’s in season, you’ll waste less and save money. Don’t go shopping without a list and a plan.

2.  Conduct Inventory Regularly 

Before shopping, always check what you have available and what is getting ready to expire so that you can create dishes using those ingredients that you already have on hand.

3. Buy the Ugly Veggies 

Check with your grocer to see when they sell the strange shaped or “ugly” produce. This not only costs less but by buying you help eliminate the grocery store’s waste.

4. Use the Oldest First 

As you put food away, put new behind the old so that you make sure to use the old items before you use the new items. For items that are shelf stable until opening, like mayonnaise, keep out of the fridge until the old is used.

5. Freeze Leftovers 

When you have leftovers and you know you won’t be eating them in the next couple of days, even small amounts put them away in the freezer. Even small amounts of cooked veggies, for instance, can be used later to make veggie soup. (Please Continue Reading Below)

6. Don’t be picky 

Sometimes we don’t eat leftovers or other things that are on hand because we just don’t “feel like it”. Hence those cucumbers and celery sticks and more will go bad before you know it.

7. Have a Leftover Day

Speaking of left overs, at least once a week, have a day where everyone only eats leftovers.  You can heat it all up and serve it buffet style or let each person fight over the entre they want the most.

8. Use Scraps Wisely  

When you have food scraps there are things you can do with it, such as use it to make compost. Or ask around. Many people have animals that will glad consume your tid bits.

9. Use Proper Storage Techniques 

There is a right way, and a wrong way, a right place, and a wrong place to store each item that you purchase. Especially if you buy in bulk. Do your research and learn how to store everything correctly to get the most use out of it.

10. Preserve Your Own 

Can it, pickle it, or freeze it if you realize you’re not going to have time to eat it before it goes bad. For example, fermented cabbage is an excellent way to use up cabbage that is getting close to expiring. Plus sauerkraut is packed full of healthy probiotics.

11. Eat Expired Food 

Most food,(except for perhaps meat and dairy) has expiration dates that aren’t really when the food “goes bad” but rather when it must be sold by. Most food is fine for at lease 2- 7 days past the expiration or sell-by date. Most items in a box or can are still good for much longer as well. HOWEVER…. you know what they say…. when in doubt, throw it out. Better safe than sorry.

With a little thought and some planning, you can eliminate most food waste. If somehow you still end up with extra food because you couldn’t say no to a sale, you can save the day by donating to charity or sharing it with a family in need. 

To Great Health!

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