Minimizing food waste

In the U.S. we throw away approximately 38 million tons of food each year. Not only is this waste expensive, but it is also an unnecessary addition to landfills. By reducing food waste at home can save money and cut back on the amount of garbage you put out every year.

One great start to limiting food waste is by planning your meals ahead of time. By having a week’s worth of meals already planned out, you can better purchase the correct amounts needed and throw away less food at the end of the week.

Fresh produce is often the culprit because it doesn’t last long after it’s been purchased and buying only what you need for the week will help a lot. Buying frozen, rather than fresh foods, is also a good option.

Many people don’t use all of their fresh produce and it gets thrown out before it can be eaten. Frozen is a good option because it lasts much longer and it has the same nutrient quality as fresh. Plus, you can always throw some frozen peas or corn into salads, soups, and many other recipes to bump up your vegetable intake.

Another simple way to reduce food waste is to have a day each week that you utilize your leftovers. It doesn’t have to be a cohesive meal, sometimes there might be meatloaf and stir-fry at dinner but at least you will have more room in the fridge and in the garbage can. You can also have a plan for leftovers before they are leftovers, such as cook an extra chicken breast for your lunch the next day.

For people with yards, you can also compost and grow a garden. By using the compostable waste in your fridge, you are throwing away less but you are also making the soil more rich for growing your own vegetables. Growing vegetables (even just a single plant in a pot) can help reduce the amount of produce you buy. You will also be able to pick only the amount needed and limit some food waste that way.

Just by doing a few simple things every day, you can reduce your food waste at home. By planning ahead, knowing what you’ll actually use, and eating leftovers, you can reduce the amount of food you throw away each day.

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Lenna Ahlers, RDN, LD, is a dietitian in long-term care and a graduate of the University of Idaho Dietetics program.