How To Reduce Food Waste & Save Money

Did you know Australians throw away up to 20% of their groceries every year? 🤯 Often because we buy too much or aren’t sure what to do with leftovers. 

Try these simple ways to reduce your household food waste -  and save time and money!

Plan your meals in advance

Planning your meals is one of the most effective ways to prevent food waste, plus save time and money. It’ll also help you to cook healthier meals for your family and say goodbye to last-minute meal ideas which, let’s face it, can be recipes for disaster! Plan your meals easily with THE BOD Meal Prep Planner and stick it to the fridge so it’s easy to refer back to. Knowing what you'll be eating throughout the week helps keep you on track with your fitness goals, too! With everything planned and written down, you're less likely to choose unhealthy snack options. If you don't know where to begin when it comes to meal planning, THE BOD Nutrition & Training programs include 6-week meal plans designed to work alongside your training regime.

Create a shopping list & stick to it

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's the easiest way to avoid buying items you don’t need and won’t use. How many times have you gone food shopping without a list and ended up stocking up on things you already have? Three cabbages in the crisper, an overload of snacks in the cupboard, and enough toilet paper to last until 2023 - sound familiar? Always take a look in your fridge and pantry before leaving home and write a shopping list - or use the interactive shopping list in THE BOD app so you can tick off each item as you go. 

Store food properly

Correct storage can add days, weeks and even months to your food. Make sure dry goods are stored in air-tight containers to avoid moisture, freeze leftovers and remember that not all fruit and veg should be stored in the fridge – sometimes it will make them go off quicker.

Utilise leftovers

Leftovers contribute over a quarter of food waste but there are plenty of creative uses for them. They mean you cook once and eat all week! Make a bulk base, like our Chilli Con Carne (find the recipe in THE BOD app) and eat it five different ways all week - stuffed sweet potatoes, wraps, with rice or in a toastie.

Grow your own herbs

Herbs can make almost any dish tastier, however they can be expensive to buy and a lot of the time we only use half of what we buy. A simple herb garden is easy to set up in the kitchen and means you will always have a fresh supply on hand and can snip the perfect amount for your dish! And don't stop there, why not grow your own organic veggies in the garden if you have space? 

Utilise the freezer

Cook a bulk meal like our Eggplant and Chicken Lasagne (find the recipe in THE BOD app) then cut into individual serves and freeze so you can defrost, heat and eat in minutes. Pre-made frozen smoothie bags are also a great way to make breakfast a breeze. When you’re unpacking your groceries, chop and pack apple, spinach, cucumber, ginger and pineapple - or fruits and veg of your choice - into ziplock bags and freeze. Next morning, throw a glass of water and a smoothie bag into the blender, blitz and you’ve got a glass full of micronutrients in minutes.

Portion, prepare and pack as you unpack your groceries

Measure out your veggies, pop them in bags or containers and they’ll be ready to grab when it’s time to cook. Or if you’re buying meat in bulk, weigh and portion into servings before freezing.

Compost your waste 

Put potato peels and wilted veggies to good use by throwing them in your garden as a nutrient-rich fertiliser. Keep a small bin in the kitchen for food scraps and a compost bin outside, in the direct sunlight if possible to help waste break down faster. 

Get the family involved

This one is a win-win. Children learn essential food skills and are more likely to eat the meals you prepare because they’ve helped make it. When it comes to the meal itself, allow family members to serve themselves, so everyone gets the portions they want.

Preserve seasonal produce

Preserving is a great way to enhance flavour to in-season fruit and vegetables by adding salt, vinegar and spices, making it possible to enjoy your favourite foods year round.

Try going meat-free 

Meat can be the most expensive component of a meal. Consider some vegetarian or vegan meals every so often. Reducing the portion size of meat can also be an easy way to reduce the amount of money we spend on meat. Need some delicious plant-based meal options? Head on over to THE BOD app for some yummy recipes and meal plans!

What are your top tips to help reduce food waste and save money? Let us know in the comments below!