The most commonly wasted foods and how to save them
We know that wasting food wastes our money, but do you know which are the most wasted ingredients?
We’ve compiled a list of some of the most wasted ingredients and a few tips on how to avoid them from going in your bin.
Potatoes
Daily waste in British households: 5.8 million whole potatoes
Our top tips:
Store this staple ingredient in a cool, dark place to help them last longer. If your potatoes start to sprout, just cut off the sprouting bits, they are still good to eat.
Become friends with your freezer. Cook them up, portion them in sandwich bags and freeze them to use in a meal later.
Don't forget to love the skin your potatoes are in, they are packed full of dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals! There’s no need to peel, even mashed potatoes can have the skin on. If that’s a step too far then use the peels to make a tasty alternative to crisps or a delicious stock.
Bread
Daily waste in British households: 20 million whole slices of bread
Our top tips:
Bread doesn't have a long shelf life. If you find yourself with a stale loaf, why not make your own breadcrumbs?
Using your freezer is a great way to make your bread last longer. Simply slice it, wrap it well and defrost as needed. It can stay in your freezer for up to three months.
Milk
Daily waste in British households: 3.1 million glasses’ worth of milk
Our top tips:
Firstly, remember to trust your senses (smell it!) and don't always rely solely on milk 'Best Before' labels. Milk freezes well, so if you're heading away, freeze the remainder in an ice tray and add the cubes to your next brew. Or of course blend it with some leftover fruit for a delicious smoothie.
Meat and Poultry
Daily waste in British households: 2.2 million slices’ worth of ham
Our top tips:
Store meat correctly! To maximise your leftover meat make sure you store it correctly by keeping it in an airtight container in the fridge.
Love your left overs! Left over meats are great to add into other recipes that ask for something similar – get creative and consider what might taste nice. Could you use leftover sausages instead of meatballs? Or leftover roast chicken instead of ham in a sandwich?
Carrots
Daily waste in British households: 2.7 million whole carrots
Our top tips:
Store carrots in the fridge – making sure they are loose and not in a plastic bag. Storing them this way will extend their life and keep fresh for a few weeks.
Eat the skin there’s no need to peel. Carrots skin are full of nutrients and are soft, so they the skin can be eaten raw or cooked. Not only does this benefit your diet but it saves you time!
Buy carrots loose so you only buy what you need, as opposed to buying a large bag that you won’t use all up. Bags of carrots often don’t work out any cheaper than buying individually, so check the price per kilo when you’re next shopping.
