Have you ever looked in your food-waste bin? It's estimated that families in the U. K. create more than six million tonnes of food waste each year. "Food waste" means food that could have been eaten but instead is thrown away. Apples, bananas, bread, potatoes and salad are the most common items that are binned.
With food prices rising, it's a good time to become a "food-waste warrior". Not only will it save money, but it is good for the environment. After all, growing, packaging and transporting food use a lot of Earth's resources such as energy and water. First, it's a good idea to find out just how much food goes into your bin. Keep a diary and note down the foods that get chucked out most often—and why. Planning meals for the week with your family can save time and money. For instance, meat from a Sunday roast could go into sandwiches on Monday.
Weigh out pasta or rice you need before you cook it（there are portion sizes on the packet but they are for adults, so adjust them）, and before you pile your plate, check how hungry you are so you don't end up leaving food because you're too full.
Your freezer is a good way to save food. Keep a sliced loaf in there; you can put frozen slices straight into the toaster. You can freeze leftovers in a sealed container for another day. It's hard to keep track of food that's gone to the back of the fridge. You could label a shelf an "Eat me first" spot for anything that has been there for a while.
Finally, use your senses. Some U. K. supermarkets have taken "best before" dates off fruit and vegetables. Ask an adult to help. Don't forget to update your diary to see how much change you can make.
A. Cooking the correct portion size helps too.
B. However, heat defrosted leftovers thoroughly before eating.
C. Fruit that looks bad can be made into a juice for a Friday treat.
D. Potatoes and carrots, however, last a long time if kept in a cool, dark place.
E. Here are some simple tips that can help your family become food-waste warriors.
F. This is done to decide whether something is still fine to eat with your noses and eyes.
G. It may sound unpleasant but in fact it tells you how much food your family throws out.
