6 Tips for Reducing Food Waste
Jennifer Raskin - 23rd September 2021
As a student, learning how to budget is an important life skill. Making your food last is part of that. Everyone has had to throw out food at some point or another. Perhaps you forgot about those takeaway leftovers or had fresh produce fall by the wayside. Whatever the case, these 6 tips will help you reduce your food waste so you make your budget count and keep your stomach full!
1. Only buy what you need
Buying in bulk is great for foods that last longer, like packages of dried beans. But if you buy too much of something that has an expiration date without any proper place to keep it, you’ll waste food. If you frequently find yourself throwing out more food than you’re eating, it’s time to cut down what you buy.
2. Check the expiration dates
Speaking of expiring foods, always check things like eggs, milk, and other dairy before you load it in your trolley. You don’t want to buy yoghurt on sale only to find that the whole lot of it expires tomorrow!
3. Plan ahead with meals
In addition to making a food list for shopping, plan ahead with your meal menu for the week. Make part of that plan include uses for leftovers. Meats can be used again for sandwiches, soups, and even to top off a salad.
4. Maintain the proper fridge temperature
Your fridge should be set to between 0-5°C. This will keep your food at the right temperatures and prevent it from going bad sooner.
5. Use your freezer
The freezer is a wonderful place to stow fully cooked meals. Be sure to package them properly, then label them with what’s inside and the date so you’ll use it in time. You can also freeze fresh ingredients. If corn is on sale at Aldi or Tesco for example, you can put it in freezer bags to enjoy for the next few months.
6. Deals aren’t always ideal
Supermarkets use buy-1-get-1-free deals to tempt you. If something you need on your list is on a deal, go for it! But if you see something you want rather than need, skip it. You’ll have a bigger budget if you stick to what you need instead.
Now that you know how to reduce food waste, you can put these plans into action. Not only will you help the environment by cutting down on your own waste but you’ll also make a better budget for yourself. Perhaps you’ll save enough to enjoy a nice pint as a treat!
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