Here's how you can avoid wasting so much food

Food waste is a serious issue in the world, and it is not only sad that tons of food end up in the trash every day, but it also directly harms our wallets. To prevent food from being discarded, we offer some simple steps to be more mindful and make better use of our resources.It all starts with shoppingThe first step, and perhaps the most important, is to plan your shopping correctly. Before making your grocery list, check what you have in the refrigerator. Sometimes there are treasures at the bottom of the vegetable drawer that can be turned into a delicious soup before too much time passes. Use that ham from last week for some croquettes, and if you have too much leftover, consider buying a little less next time.We recommend trying this recipe for Potato Croquettes with Ham No distractionsRemember, if you go shopping hungry or thirsty, you will put much more in your cart than you need. Stick to your list and the planning you have done for the week. Once you get home, pack and store everything properly so it has a longer shelf life.Make the most of ingredientsMany times when preparing a recipe, we only use a part of the fruits and vegetables we bought. For example, with celery: if you use the stalks for a salad, use the leaves in a soup, and the white part of the base to add more flavor to your broth. You can also do this with mushroom stems or the thick stems of broccoli, which make a delicious soup or salad. Bananas that are very brown are perfect for making banana bread or adding them to pancake batter. If you don't have time to prepare it soon or don't have enough quantity, don't worry, freeze them until you are ready.If you have pieces of different cheeses, it’s the perfect time to make a delicious sauce for your favorite pasta. And in the pantry, check the expiration dates on cans and sauces monthly, and use them in time.Watch the portionsTo avoid waste, it is much better to serve small portions, and if someone wants more, they can serve themselves later. If there is leftover food, remember to cool it quickly and store it properly so it lasts longer.Smartly manage leftoversOften, our refrigerator becomes a prelude to the trash can due to having small amounts of leftovers that go unused. If you made too much food, remember to store what’s left in appropriate containers, always marking the contents and the packing date, so you are aware of when you should consume it.On the other hand, you can also give new life to leftovers. For example, if there was roasted chicken, shred the leftover for some tacos; chopped cooked vegetables can be mixed with cold pasta and vinaigrette, or with tuna and mayonnaise for a salad; refried beans with tomato sauce and broth take on a new life in a soup. Or simply fry that white rice with chopped vegetables, meat or shrimp cubes, and soy sauce for a light Asian dinner... Use your imagination and give different twists to those containers with leftovers. At the end of the month, you will feel the improvement in your wallet.