The Top 10 Most Commonly Wasted Foods, According To New Survey
It's discouraging to look into the trash and see hard earned money being thrown away in the form of spoiled groceries. Most of us have good intentions when we fill our carts, but there are many reasons why food ends up neglected in the fridge.
A new survey from HelloFresh has identified the specific foods that most families struggle to finish and why.
Why do Americans waste so much food?
HelloFresh teamed up with OnePoll to survey 2,000 American adults about their food waste habits. According to their findings, there are a couple of different reasons why food gets wasted in an average American household.
38% of respondents claimed they throw away food because they don't feel like eating it. 35% claimed to forget about the leftover food. 22% admitted that they're unsure of how to properly store food to maintain its freshness.
As a result of this survey, here are the 10 most commonly wasted foods in America:
10. Carrots
14% of survey takers admitted to tossing out carrots. This could be because they often become rubbery and bendable when they lose their internal moisture in the fridge. However, they're still perfectly safe to eat and don't need to be thrown out in this condition.
You can revive them by cutting off the ends and placing them in a jar of cold water for a few hours. They'll soak up the liquid and become crisp.
9. Meat
About 15% of respondents claimed meat as one of their most commonly wasted foods. Meat is one of the most expensive items to waste in any household budget. If your plans change and you can't cook the meat you bought, move it to the freezer immediately.
Raw meat shouldn't sit in the fridge for more than two days. Labeling your freezer bags with the date will help you keep track of your stock.
8. Eggs
16% of survey takers admitted to letting eggs go to waste. Eggs are often wasted because people are cautious about the dates printed on the carton. Most eggs stay fresh for weeks in a cold refrigerator regardless of the label.
You can perform a float test in water to check their quality before tossing them out. Hard boiling older eggs is a great way to use them up before they go bad.
7. Deli items
16% of respondents said they often let deli items go to waste. Prepared deli meats and salads have a very short shelf life once they're opened. We often buy large amounts that we simply can't finish before they spoil.
Try to purchase only what you need for two or three days at a time. If you have leftovers, prioritize eating them for lunch the next day so nothing goes bad.
6. Avocado
17% of survey takers claimed avocados as one of their most commonly wasted foods. The window of time for a perfect avocado is notoriously small and easy to miss. Once your avocado feels soft to a gentle touch, you should move it into the refrigerator to slow down the ripening process.
This can buy you several extra days of freshness. If it gets too soft, mash it up into a quick batch of guacamole.
5. Bread
21% of survey takers tend to toss bread before it can be eaten. Bread is a staple that unfortunately molds or goes stale very quickly in a humid kitchen. To avoid waste, you should only keep out what you will eat in two days and store the rest in the freezer.
Frozen bread toasts perfectly and tastes just as fresh as a new loaf. Stale pieces are also excellent for making homemade French toast.
4. Apples
21% of respondents named apples as an often-wasted item. Apples can lose their crispness and become mealy if they sit on the counter for too long. Instead of throwing them away, you can peel and slice them to make a simple applesauce or a warm cobbler.
Cooking the fruit breaks down the grainy texture and brings out the natural sugars. Storing them in the refrigerator also helps them stay firm.
3. Milk
21% of survey takers admitted to letting milk go to waste. Milk is frequently poured down the drain because the date on the carton has passed. It's important to remember that milk is often still good for several days after the sell by date.
If you find yourself with too much, you can use it to make a creamy soup or a batch of pudding. You can even freeze it.
2. Bananas
The second spot on this list belongs to bananas, with 23% of survey takers naming them as a commonly wasted food item. Many people toss bananas once they develop a few brown spots on the skin. These overripe fruits are actually at their sweetest point and are perfect for baking.
If you can't use them right away, peel them and store them in a freezer bag. They work beautifully for smoothies or as a natural sweetener in homemade oatmeal or pancakes.
1. Lettuce
27% respondents admitted to wasting lettuce, giving it the top spot on this list. Lettuce is often the first thing to turn slimy in the crisper drawer. This happens because moisture gets trapped in the plastic bag.
You can prevent this by placing a dry paper towel inside the container to absorb the extra water. If the leaves are just slightly wilted, a quick soak in ice water can often bring back the crunch.
Reducing food waste is a journey that starts with small changes in how we shop and store our groceries. By being more mindful of these common items, you can save a significant amount of money and help the environment at the same time.
Every small effort to save a meal makes a difference.