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Cooking for one person without wasting food

If you are alone, some products from the supermarket are packed too large. Yet you don't have to throw anything away. We give tips to waste as little food as possible.

The facts
Three-quarters of consumers are concerned when food is thrown away because the packaging is too large. Yet in one third of the cases it is the reason for food waste. A small package is usually more expensive in comparison, so many people still buy a large package with the result that they cannot finish everything.

Tip 1. Freeze what you can't use right away You can freeze leftovers, blanched vegetables, meat, bread or sauce. But there are many more products that you can simply freeze, such as grated cheese and butter.

Tip 2. Create a weekly menu
By planning what you'll be eating this week at the start of the week, you can make it easier to use up the ingredients you'll be using at the start of the week later in the week. After you have devised a weekly menu, you can make a shopping list and do very targeted shopping.

Read also:The benefits of a weekly menu

3. Be creative Using up leftovers doesn't mean you eat the same thing all week. Get creative with leftovers. Process them in a soup or pasta sauce, make an omelette or casserole or process leftover cauliflower into cauliflower rice. You can also make too much on purpose to freeze the rest in portions or eat the leftovers from your dinner for lunch the next day.

4. Measure and weigh
Most recipes are based on the ingredients for four people. It works nice and fast to adjust the quantities based on feeling, so that you sometimes make too much. Start by weighing your ingredients and you will quickly discover how many grams of pasta, vegetables or meat you need for one person.

5. Eat with someone more often
Invite others to dine with you and share the 1+1 free offers with your single neighbor.

6. Use your senses
Don't just throw away products because the expiration date has passed. Less perishable products usually have a best before date (best before date), after the date the quality will deteriorate, but you can often still use them. If the product still smells good, then it is often good.

7. Have well-stocked kitchen cupboards
Get a good basic stock at home, so that you can easily turn your leftovers into something delicious. Tomato sauce, pasta, eggs, dried herbs… Reserve space for storage containers to keep leftovers and leftovers tightly closed.

What are your best tips against food waste?