Eat Smarter

THE FREEZER IS YOUR FRIEND

Don’t feel like eating the same thing two days in a row? When you have a large batch of leftover food, freeze it in individual portions which you can eat over a longer period of time. Be sure to label and date everything so it’s all easier to manage.

TAKE IT HOME

Once it’s on your plate, a restaurant can’t reuse uneaten food and must throw it away. So when eating out, always ask for a takeout container if you have any leftovers.

SHARE THE LOVE

If you have big amounts of leftover food (like from an event), look for a local donation programme which gets it to hungry people who can’t afford it.

If these programmes are running in your area, ask restaurants, grocers and event caterers to be part of it. A good suggestion can go a long way!

FAMILY-STYLE FOR THE WIN

Ever eaten out in a big group and seen plates cleared from your table with food left on them? Most restaurants offer standard portion sizes - which may not fit different-sized appetites.

When you’re in a group, it’s best to opt for family-style servings. You’ll tend to order less and everyone in your group - both big eaters and small eaters - will get just the right portion.

DON'T FORGET SCHOOLS

We don’t usually see them as such but some of the biggest ‘restaurants’ are school canteens. They serve large amounts of food daily and the potential for waste is significant. If you have kids in school, you may want to enquire about education programmes around food waste; and initiatives to donate uneaten canteen food to people in need.