As the cost of fresh fruits and vegetables continue to rise, we tend to think of how to buy less. Food wastage has become an important issue. As a dietitian, I share with my clients how to better use foods that we already have.
The Toronto Food Policy Council states households in Canada on average waste $28 worth of food each week. This is equivalent to $1456 annually.
Tips to limit food wastage and help save more of your money:
- Buy
- Write a meal plan on a weekly basis
- Be more conscious of what you buy. Remember don’t buy bulk if you don’t need to. This can end up being more expensive if you throw most of it away.
- Storage
- Keep your fridge organized. Keep foods easily accessible. This will ensure that you don’t find containers of moldy food at the back of the fridge.
- Cook
- Use what you have. If a recipe calls for an ingredient you don’t have try finding a substitute that’s already in your fridge.
- Serve smartly. Don’t over serve. If people want more they can go for seconds.
- Leftovers
- Safely store your leftovers. Make use of your freezer.
- Wash, prepare and freeze fruits or vegetables before they spoil.
- Be creative. Use leftovers in new ways. Try making wraps with leftover meat and vegetables or blending cooked veggies into pasta sauce for added nutrients.
Comment below and share your tips and ideas with us. Tell us how you and your family use leftovers.
