Meal planning is a popular strategy people use because of its benefits to the environment, personal finances, and health. In fact, 34% of US consumers plan their meals one or two days before making them.
Food waste has a severe effect on the environment, which is why meal planning is one of the best ways people can do their part in minimizing it. If done right, it can reduce waste, help you save money, and help the environment in a big way.
But how can you effectively plan your meals to get the most benefits?
In this meal planning guide, we’ll tell you all about what meal planning is, as well as why and how you can do it. Let’s dive right in.
What is meal planning and why is it important?
Meal planning is all about organizing your meals ahead of time, be it for a few days or even the entire week. It has tons of benefits and allows you to use your produce more efficiently. On top of that, it helps you avoid impulse buys and prevent food spoilage before you eat it.
Not only does meal planning help you do your part in reducing food waste, but it helps you save time and money. It has an effect both on your grocery shopping and cooking processes, helping you eat healthier and better meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Unfortunately, food waste accounts for 1/3 of all human-generated greenhouse gas emissions every year. That’s one of the biggest reasons why all of us have the responsibility to help reduce it. So, let’s talk about how you can do it yourself.
7 ways to cut food waste and save money
Managing food waste through meal planning can be complicated for beginners. To help you get started, we’ve compiled 7 great ways you can plan your meals, cut the amount of food you waste, and save money in the process. Let’s get started.
1. Plan meals around what you already have
One great way to use almost all the products you buy and avoid throwing things out because they expired is to know what you have. Once you take inventory of your kitchen, that’s when you should create a shopping list.
Prioritize using ingredients that are close to their expiration date or products that are hiding in the back of your fridge. Build your upcoming meals around these products. This simple trick can help you use almost everything you buy and reduce the risk of your food spoiling.
2. Create a weekly meal schedule
Schedule some time each week to create a simple meal schedule. If you plan your breakfast, lunch, and dinner in advance, you’ll be able to make fewer last-minute decisions. We all know that these decisions can lead to ordering costly takeout or wasting food.
So, create a clear plan and only buy what you need for the week. You’ll cut down on waste and save money. It’s a win-win situation.
3. Make a shopping list (and stick to it)
This step requires a bit of impulse control and willpower. However, if you can create a well-thought-out grocery list, you’ll be on the right track.
Once you create the list, the next step will be to make sure to stick to it. Avoid the temptation to buy products on a whim. Sadly, they might end up being thrown out later.
4. Incorporate leftovers into future meals
Of course, eating the same thing every day can be tiring. However, if you use your leftovers in a creative way, you can keep your meals exciting and reduce the amount of food you waste.
For example, roasted vegetables from last night’s dinner can be reused in a hearty soup for lunch. Your leftover rice can become a stir-fry the next day. Ultimately, you’ll give new life to your leftovers and love the meals you eat.
5. Batch cook and freeze meals
Try cooking in larger batches. It will help you save time on cooking and reduce the waste you generate. Freeze the extra portions you make, and you’ll extend the shelf life of your meals to enjoy them later.
This trick makes sure that your food will not go bad before you have the chance to eat it. Plus, it’ll allow you to take advantage of bulk buying.
6. Store food properly
The 6th strategy we recommend is to store your food properly to prevent it from spoiling unnecessarily. Learn the best ways to store different types of food so that they last longer in case you’re not in the mood to eat them yet.
For example, you can keep your herbs in water, store your root vegetables in cool, dry places, and even wrap your greens in a damp towel in the fridge to keep them fresh for longer.
7. Compost what you can’t use
Last but not least, let’s talk about a strategy for making the most out of the waste that you generate. Despite all your best efforts, a bit of food waste is inevitable. But it doesn’t mean that it needs to end up in a landfill. This is where composting comes in to save the day.
Composting is one of the most sustainable ways to throw away your food scraps without actually throwing them away. This includes everything from vegetable peels and eggshells to even coffee grounds.
It doesn’t only reduce the methane emissions from landfills, but it also creates nutrient-rich soil that you can use to create a garden. You will end up helping the environment and will pick up a new hobby at the same time.
Conclusion
To wrap it all up, let’s remember that meal planning is a simple but influential strategy to cut your food waste, save money, and much more.
If you are intentional about your meals, how you store your food, and make an effort to start composting your food scraps, you will play your part in helping the planet. On top of that, you’ll take control of your kitchen.
So, start today and you’ll immediately notice the benefits of less food and time wasted, as well as more savings on groceries.