Cereal is one of the most popular choices when it comes to what people want for breakfast. It is easy, convenient, and delicious, and it contains some important nutrients such as vitamins. As we all focus more than ever on taking steps to reduce our impact on the planet, knowing how to reduce food waste, including cereal waste can make a difference. Carry on reading to find out more.
What causes food waste?
It is estimated that globally around one-third of all the food that is produced around the world goes to waste. That equates to around 1.3 billion tons of vegetables, fruits, grains, meat, dairy and seafood and includes all the food waste that is thrown away in hotels, restaurants, or at home in your kitchen. In fact, if food wastage was a country, it would be the third largest emitting country in the world.
Based on recent data from the World Wildlife Foundation, global food waste contributes 10% of our global greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to nearly twice the annual emissions produced by all the cars driven in the US and Europe.
As the world’s population continues to grow, the threat of increased food waste will only continue to grow along with it. The food that is wasted could help tackle global food insecurity and could mean we don’t need to produce better to feed more people.
The challenge now lies in making sure that we reduce our food waste. There are many things that we can do to make sure we are wasting less of the food that is produced and bought. Freezing food, composting where possible, and also shopping smarter are a few simple tips anyone can try.
How to reduce food waste
There are a few creative and easy ways to reduce food waste that you can start doing instantly. Here are 3 easy and smart ways to reduce food waste.
1. Use leftovers to your advantage
Before heading to the shop to get your next weekly load, have a root through your fridge/freezer and see what you have in there.
This is also the same for cupboard products. It is all too easy to miss that box of cereal at the back of your cupboard and end up buying another. Making sure you use all of your opened cereal, and other foodstuffs before buying new will make for much less food waste.
2. Use your Freezer
Of course, most of us prefer to eat fresh food, but frozen food can be just as nutritious. One of the very best ways to reduce the amount of food you waste is to cook your favourite recipes and freeze the leftovers. Meaning you can make your food last longer, and it will still taste great when you come to defrost it at a later date. This is the same for cereal – even though it has a long shelf-life in the cupboard.
3. Make sure you plan your meals and only buy what you need
We know that it is all too easy to put things in your basket that you don’t need when walking around the supermarket. But making sure you go with a plan, and a full stomach, will enable you to get the food you need without ending up with food you don’t, and then ultimately wasting it. Not only could this help your family reduce food waste, but it could also help save you money by not buying food you don’t need.
Reducing cereal waste: How to keep it fresher for longer
Having delicious-tasting cereal isn’t only about great taste, but it is also about having that satisfying crunch. But keeping your cereal airtight, to avoid it becoming stale, is all part of reducing cereal waste.
The best place to store your cereal is in a cool, dark and dry place. Humidity and moisture are a cereal’s worst nightmare. Keeping your cereal in a pantry that is free from moisture is a great choice.
Do not put your cereal on top of the fridge
There are many people that tend to have their open cereal boxes on top of the fridge. It may seem like the ideal place, high up, away from any moisture, and in plain sight. However, this is quite the opposite. Having your cereal on top of the fridge can block the heat that escapes from the fridge, making it have to work harder to stay colder. The heat from the fridge can also make your cereal go soft, and therefore shorten its shelf life.
Do not throw the “bottom of the box” cereal away!
We all know that the bottom of the boxed cereal is just the crushed-up remnants of what we have been enjoying for breakfast, however, there are many recipes that these can be used for.
Ever thought of other ways to make breaded chicken? Or give your meals a little extra crunch? Well, cereal does just that, all you need to do is cover your chicken or vegetarian alternative in crushed-up cereal and bake it.
There are also numerous delicious cake creations you can make with bottom-of-the-box cereals too, simply crush them up and sprinkle them on top, or you can use cereals as a substitute for flour! All you need to do is pop the remainder of your cereal in a blender, and blend until it forms a soft-like powder. Then simply use as you would flour!
Cereals are not just used for cakes and savoury toppings, but they can be used to create smoothies, quick and easy on-the-go snacks and balanced bites too.
How portion sizes reduce cereal waste
Cereal serving size matters. Not only does it help us make the most of our cereal, but they also make sure we are consuming the right amount as part of a healthy balanced diet.
The standard serving size is based on the weight of the cereal, not the amount that you want in your bowl. The denser the cereal, the smaller the serving may look. However, don’t let this deceive you. Just because it doesn’t look like there is much in your bowl, doesn’t mean it isn’t enough for you to start your day.
The correct storage of your cereal enables you to make the most out of it, without having to spend your money buying more than you need. Making sure you have the right amount in your bowl will benefit you, not only in making sure you don’t waste any cereal due to there being too much in your bowl, but also goes towards a balanced diet.
Portion control is an approach that is followed globally, to ensure we are doing our best at reducing our food waste. People are constantly receiving larger food portions, and are not able to finish them, therefore resulting in food waste. That is why portion control is important when trying to reduce food waste. It also stops people from consuming more than they should.
