13x this keeps the bin
empty longer
Did you know that in the Netherlands we throw away about 1000 million kilos (yes indeed, 1000 with six more zeros behind it) of food? Only a third of that is unavoidable and/or inedible waste like bones and peels. Shocking, right? And yes, me too. But we have control over that food waste, and it starts in the supermarket. The smarter you shop, the less food you waste. Less waste is not only better for Mother Earth, it is also better for your wallet and your peace of mind. If we all get to work with these thirteen tips, the bin will stay empty a bit longer from now on.
1. Choose shelf-stable products
I am a huge fan of fresh fresh fresh, but only if it gets used up. Take herbs. Nothing better than fresh basil. Not only because your kitchen turns into an Italian cucina in no time, but also because your homemade caprese suddenly increases in value. But what do you do with the rest of the fresh plant after picking those ten leaves that end up on the soft mozzarella? Well, in the ground or in your freshly made pesto. Only choose fresh herbs if you use the whole plant at once or when you can plant it in a nice spot in the garden.
2. Choose versatile vegetables
Go for vegetables that you can use in both your smoothie and your dinner. In other words: vegetables that you can eat both raw and cooked.
3. Easy to shove
Short on time in the kitchen? Skip the difficult and labor-intensive fresh produce like artichokes or salsify. Choose easy and quick vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, or vegetables that you can grill quickly.
4. Eat what you buy
Make what you have at home, even if you don't feel like it. Yeah, it's that simple.
5. Be aware
Look at and write down what you throw away to gain insight into the quantity and what you throw away. This way, you won't make the same mistakes in the future, and there may be food items you better not buy anymore.
6. Make conscious choices
Nowadays, more and more new products are coming onto the market. Try not to always follow the hype but spread new products over a longer period. This way, you avoid overcrowded kitchen cabinets with products you've only tried once.
“I have shelves full of cookbooks. All favorites.”
7. Make what you have in the fridge and ignore cookbooks
I have shelves full of cookbooks. All favorites. But often I buy all kinds of ingredients for a dish that I then never look at again. Bottles of fish sauce, jars of curry paste, a stray HP sauce, or a wilted chives plant. Open your fridge and see what you can make with its contents. This way, you never have to throw things away.
8. Basic
Buy products that are long-lasting like rice, quinoa, oatmeal, and noodles. Use those as a base and add fresh to them.
9. Hunger
Never go grocery shopping when you're hungry because you always buy more than you actually need. Just opening that bag of nuts on the way home while you plan to get back on your diet the next day, and the bag of nuts suddenly ends up in the trash.
10. Well-stocked pantry
If you've filled your kitchen cabinet with long-lasting products, make sure you only need to buy a few fresh products each week.
11. Make a standard shopping list
Make a standard list of products you use daily. Reuse this shopping list so you always have what you actually use at home.
12. Freezing
Do you have just one portion of your meal left? Fill your Tupperware container and freeze it. Take it out of the freezer on a day you know you'll be home late, and you'll save on a visit to the snack bar.
13. Ripe fruit
Bought a bit too much fruit? Freeze it and use it as a base for your smoothie. And uh, those just a bit too black bananas are the absolute best base for your , why don't we do more with it?.
