How to Prevent Excessive Food Wastage? Practical Advice
Julia Wójcik
2026-03-23
6 min. read
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2036
The statistics on global food wastage are alarming and should prompt reflection. According to FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), approximately 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted each year, with around 40-50% consisting of fruits and vegetables. In Europe, an average of between 95 and 115 kg of food per person per year are wasted. It's not just about money, it's also about nutrients contained in food. A study by M. L. Spiker and colleagues found that the average American wastes about 300 mg of calcium, 85 mg of magnesium, and 880 mg of potassium daily, as well as many other nutrients. How can we effectively combat this problem?
Meal planning and utilization of the shopping list
Planning is a useful habit, especially when it comes to shopping. A wide range of products available on the market can lead to unnecessary expenses. Therefore, we recommend preparing a shopping list before visiting the store. Our rule is: avoid shopping in a state of hunger. It's easier to plan for the near future, therefore, more frequent visits to the store, such as three times a week, are more effective than a single purchase for the whole week. This way, it's easier to estimate the required quantities of products for meal preparation. Within a few days, we can also consider the state of our supplies and use them in the next dishes. Let's not forget to check the contents of our freezer to avoid buying the same products again. If we plan our meals, there is a high probability that we will prepare them in the right amount, so that there is enough for everyone and not too many leftovers. However, we should pay attention to food leftovers that often lie in the fridge for a longer period. It's worth paying more attention to them, packing them in glass containers for food storage and placing them so that we don't forget about them. If they look appetizing, they will certainly tempt us to eat them. Such dishes can be eaten the same day for dinner or used the next day, for example, as a lunch for work.
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