One of the biggest challenges that many households face nowadays is trying to save money on groceries while also minimizing food waste.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, roughly one-third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted globally. Not only does this wasteful behavior contribute to environmental problems, but it can also hurt our wallets in the long run. To help solve this issue, we have compiled a list of three clever hacks you can use to avoid leaving food uneaten.

1. Mix and Match Ingredients in Your Meals

One of the most common reasons why people end up leaving food uneaten is that they buy ingredients but end up not using them all. To avoid this, try mixing and matching ingredients in your meals.

For example, if you have leftover vegetables from a previous meal, you can add them as a topping for a pizza or mix them into a soup. Additionally, if you are not sure what to do with an ingredient, try looking up recipes that use that ingredient. Websites such as Pinterest or Allrecipes.com are great resources for finding recipe ideas that use specific ingredients.

2. Learn How to Properly Store Food

Another reason why food often goes to waste is due to improper storage. Food that is not properly stored can spoil quickly, leading to a higher likelihood of being thrown away. Some tips for proper food storage include:.

Use airtight containers to store dry goods such as rice, pasta, and cereal
Refrigerate food promptly after cooking or purchasing
Organize the fridge and pantry so that older items are used first
Freeze food items that are nearing their expiration date, such as bread or meat

By taking the time to learn how to properly store food, you can extend its shelf life and reduce the chances of it going to waste.

3. Portion Your Meals and Leftovers

Portion control is another helpful hack to avoid leaving food uneaten. Instead of cooking in large batches and having to eat the same meal for several days in a row, try portioning your meals and leftovers.

For example, if you are cooking a large pot of soup, portion it out into individual servings and freeze whatever you do not plan to eat right away. Additionally, if you have leftovers from a restaurant, try bringing them home in a to-go container and portioning them out into single servings once you get home.

This will help ensure that you are not left with large amounts of food that you are unable to finish.

Conclusion

By utilizing these clever hacks, you can minimize food waste and save money on groceries. Try mixing and matching ingredients, properly storing food, and portioning your meals and leftovers for a more sustainable and frugal food lifestyle.