This happens to everyone of us from time to time: you cook in plenty or you simply buy too much and afterwards, you have to throw away half of it. But if you consider it carefully, this actually really is a pity. Per year, millions of tons of groceries worth billions of Euros are disposed despite the fact that people are starving elsewhere. That is why we will show you a few simple tricks today that will help you stop wasting food:

It might sound trivial, but more efficient purchasing already starts with a thorough scheduling of the week. Creating a list of meals that you want to prepare in the following days in advance, helps to avoid unnecessary impulse purchases. If you only buy ingredients that you need therefor and that you do not already have at home, you have to throw away less superfluous groceries in the end. Furthermore, you should take the utilisation of leftovers into account beforehand so that you do not have to dispose them.

Aside from that, many groceries are just not stored correctly. Apples should be kept separate from other fruits, for example, as they ooze ethylene which accelerates their ripening process and lets them rot quicker. Also organising your refrigerator efficiently keeps groceries from perishing. Products which expire earlier than others should be put in the front of your fridge so that they are always in your field of view and you remember to consume them faster. Additionally, many things can be freezed like fresh minced herbs which you will then always have at hand.

Last but not least you must not be put off by the best-before date and do not throw away everything which has exceeded this benchmark. Many groceries are still enjoyable days afterwards. You should simply rely on your senses and your good judgement, then you will notice immediately what is fine and what really has to be disposed.

Should you once again have cooked too much or have groceries in the fridge before vacation despite of these tipps, you could share your food with other people.