Food waste is not a local problem anymore. It is a global issue that affects our temple – the body, and the only home we have for now – planet Earth. In a capitalistic society, food is a mere commodity, much like the physical objects we own. Contrary to them it can go bad and then land in landfills and from there in the air, the earth and back in our body through various sources. Thus, reducing food waste can address the climate change problem, conserve resources we are using to the limit and improve our diets. This article will explore practical tips and strategies to minimize food waste, that can benefit our home and our body.
Understanding Food Waste
Food waste does not only occur when people buy food that goes wrong and throw it out. It starts at the production stage. The more people consume, the more the restaurants, the factories and else need to produce. The opposite is also true. The more different businesses in the food industry use marketing to persuade people to buy, the more people consume and push increase in production.
The food thrown out usually ends up in the landfills where it starts releasing methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to global climate change. A report by the World Resources Institute from 2023 states that about 10% of global emissions is due to food waste. This is indeed the time in which innovative food waste management practices are needed.
The Benefits of Reducing Food Waste
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Environmental Benefits:
As we mentioned, one consequence is the release of methane attributed to the general greenhouse gas emissions levels. Thus, reducing the food waste can significantly lower these, conserve the land and underground water in which debris of the waste also go and reduce water and energy used in the global food production. Waste also reduces the need for agricultural expansion, the main enemy of natural habitats and forests.
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Economic Benefits:
One should not exclude the monetary benefits that the reduction of household food waste can have on people around the world. Not to forget business organizations. The World Resources Institute estimated that if we manage to reduce consumer food waste by 20-25%, that will consequently result in saving of $120-$300 billion (about $920 per person in the US) annually on a global scale.
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Health Benefits:
When talking about health, we certainly agree that we address both – mental and physical. Money is one of the factors that affects mental health negatively and reducing money problems can work its magic the opposite way. Initiatives that can encourage the consumption of fresh, unprocessed foods, proper meal planning and storage are also the ones that can reduce food waste and prevent overeating and consequent diseases, some of the most common ones – insulin intolerance, diabetes type 2 and diabetes-related consequences according to research by the Aspen Diabetes and Endocrine Clinic.
Top 5 Practical Tips to Reduce Food Waste
We went over the main negative effects of food waste on the environment and our body and the benefits its reduction can have. Now, it is time to point out a few food waste management practices that can have a big impact on the planet and on our body.
1. Meal Planning and Shopping List
Planning meals according to individual dietary needs and creating a shopping list can help prevent impulse purchases and overbuying. Going to the store with a full stomach can also help with that, as well as purchasing online so you do not fall prey to the supermarket tactics for over consumption. Some of them include releasing appetizing smells from the food corner or positioning different items at the cashier register so that people can grab them last minute before paying.
2. Proper Food Storage
Carefully read the conditions under which food needs to be stored even before buying it so you decide whether you have the space. A good tip is to keep your refrigerator at 40°F or below and your freezer at 0°F. Use good, airtight containers for leftovers and if needed follow online advice on how to store food properly.
3. Proper Understanding of Food Labels
Some labels can be confusing and there are consumers who do not make much of a difference between “sell by,” “use by,” and “best if used by.” The last one signifies the period in which the product is at its best to be consumed. However, for some products that does not mean that a few days after that date they will be bad or can cause food poisoning. Once you learn which foods from your list are like that, you can reduce your food waste even further.
4. Leftovers Repurposing
Not all leftovers need to become a food waste. Especially if they are not bad. Repurposing them into new meals can be a challenging and fun task and, in the end, can even increase appetite and improve taste. You can for example use leftover vegetables in different soups or stir-fries, and add leftover meat to salads, sandwiches and other things. People even freeze leftovers to preserve them for longer time.
5. Excess Food Donation
There is also a solution even if you have slipped and bought more than needed. Shelters and local food banks always need donations. In this way you can also contribute to a good cause for those that cannot afford to buy their own food. Local supermarkets regularly have campaigns that encourage people to leave packaged goods and non-perishable items.
Using these tips is just a start and you may consider it a small step. But if everyone takes these small steps for health change, we have the chance to reduce health problems and still be able to live on our planet.
How Food Waste and Health are Related?
As mentioned before, food waste relates to the overconsumption of predominantly processed foods that are not that rich in the nutrients our body needs. In this section we will examine more closely the health outcomes of food waste reduction:
Nutritional Value
Unprocessed foods such as vegetables and fruits are the first to be discarded in a household. People may overbuy such goods but when not planning their weekly meal, they also throw them out and their nutrients do not reach the body. Planning better their purchase and consumption can turn this trend around.
Dietary Habits
Mindful eating encourages better dietary habits. The Internet is rich in advice and easy recipes that each of us can prepare with just a few ingredients in lower quantities. When we realize the effects of food waste and purposefully aim to reduce it, we plan to make more balanced meals and avoid unhealthy, processed foods.
Food Security
Wasting less food means more can be available for those in need. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), around one-third of all food produced globally is wasted. If we manage to use it more efficiently, it can reach undernourished populations and improve their health significantly.
By understanding how the overconsumption of processed food and the waste of nourishing, fresh food can affect our health, we can make more informed choices for our body and for our home.
Conclusion
We explored how food waste can affect, and its reduction benefit our body, mind and planet. The ways that each one of us can contribute are not limited to the tips we examined. The only way to limit food waste is to start and to take it one step at a time. Even if you only plan your meals for this week or reuse your dinner from last night and not go organize a nationwide food donation campaign, you have contributed to reducing the food that goes into the landfills. You have contributed to reducing greenhouse gasses emissions. In the end all that has also helped preserve your mental and physical health and helped us stay on this planet a little longer.
About the Author
Bailey Ramsey is a writer at Shapiro Enterprises, an organic waste management and recycling company. She specializes in the content creation of education health and environment-related articles for various sectors.
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