Food waste is one of the larger problems facing developed countries. Humans throw away 108 billion pounds of food in the United States every single year. But there are better ways we can face excess food than by throwing it all away. Here are ways to cut back on food waste in your kitchen.
Use Your Leftovers
Sometimes, you just don’t get to your leftovers again in time. This can lead to lots of waste, depending on how many leftovers you tend to make. But you don’t just have to use your leftovers as just leftovers; you can use your leftovers to make other things.
Let’s say you had some leftover green beans; rather than just trying to use them as a reheated side of green beans, you can throw them into a soup, or casserole, or maybe even a frittata or omelette if you wanted to get creative. If you open up your mind to possibilities, you’ll find there are many ways to use your leftovers in creative and fun ways.
Preserve Your Food
There is nothing more frustrating than buying meat or seafood at the grocery store, putting it in your fridge, and then when it comes time to use it, discovering that it has gone bad. But if you want to keep your food for longer in the fridge, there are better ways. One of the best ways to preserve your food for longer is by freeze drying.
Freeze drying can remove up to 99% of water from food. Food hydration is the biggest culprit for molds and other spoiling of food. That is why dry foods like flour and pasta last much longer than meats, cheeses, and milk. Give freeze drying a try to make your fresh foods last longer in your fridge.
Only Buy What You Need
It can be easy to overdo your shopping at the grocery store. Walking through aisles and aisles of food can spark your creativity and inspiration to cook something new. But this can also lead to food waste, if you buy more than you need. Try pre-planning your week’s meals and only buying what you need for those. It’ll save some food in the process.
There are a lot of ways to help prevent food waste. The first place you should start is your own kitchen. With these tips and tricks, you’re equipped with some great methods to prevent food from going to waste in your home.
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