Focus on food this Earth Day and beyond

This piece is sponsored by Avera Health.

April is a great month to think about ways to waste less, and what better place to start than in your kitchen?

Food, packaging and how far away your items travel before they land in your kitchen are all things to consider.

Up to 40 percent of food is wasted in the United States. A majority of that waste is produce. The average family could save nearly $3,000 by throwing less food away.

The Avera dietitian team compiled tips to reduce and save money. You’ll notice these tips are similar to many we give to eat healthier, whole foods. That’s a win, win, win in our book.

Steps to stop food and packaging waste

Here are a few great places to cut food waste and lower the effect on the environment.

• Plan menus. Not only can menu planning improve the nutritional quality of our meals, it also can help cut our food budget. Walking into the store with a list reduces impulse buying.
• Portion your protein. Producing meat and seafood is tougher on the environment. Plan for 4- to 6-ounce meat portions per person per serving, and consider adding a vegetarian night to the menu.
• Buy in-season. Produce shipped from across the globe is not only harder on your wallet this time of year but also on the environment. Shop farmers markets to help stock the freezer for the winter months.
• Sip smart. Beverages have significant impacts on our health and waistline, and the bottles and cans they come in have a significant impact on the environment. Recycle whenever possible, and kick the bottled-beverage habit. Stick to water, coffee or tea in a reusable cup.

Additional methods to make more from less

Once you have the basics down, work in more ways to cut waste. Here are a few that can help:

• Packaging matters.The less packaging, the better, so avoid items that have two or three layers of plastic and paper to get to the food. Try to find products packaged in recycled or renewable materials like paperboard instead of plastics and Styrofoam.
• Choose whole foods. Some of the healthiest whole foods are also the most sustainable. Make sure to include whole grains like brown rice, dried beans and barley. Fruits and vegetables, especially those found at the farmers markets or through local community supported agriculture programs, are nutrient-rich, eco-bargains.
• Pass on the processed foods. Processed foods hurt our health and our environment. They usually are much higher in sodium and sugar, which can lead to diabetes and heart disease. In addition, the long list of international ingredients and multiple manufacturing steps for the food and its packaging usually lead to a much larger carbon footprint.
• Stop using plastic bags. Invest in cute canvas bags to tote your groceries home. They almost guarantee that you will never again hear the sound of shattering glass on your garage floor because plastic and paper bags will fail. If that’s not an option, make sure to recycle your plastic bags. It can take up to 1,000 years for a plastic grocery bag to break down in a landfill.
• Store foods properly. Food purchased earlier or with earlier expiration dates should be stored toward the front so it gets used sooner. Always follow storage directions on the packaging. When it comes to produce, there is no shortage of tips to improve lifespan.

Repurpose old foods

Two-thirds of residential food waste is still edible, so consider if something more worthwhile can be done with your scraps before you toss them in the garbage. For example, if you are cleaning out cupboards because you are starting a new weight-loss program, consider donating to the food bank or soup kitchen as long as expiration dates haven’t passed.

Can you repurpose old bread to make breadcrumbs? Use soft apples to make apple sauce or vegetables that are wilting for a broth.

Can your 4-day-old leftovers be used to feed animals? Do you have any agriculturally invested family or friends who would compost your food scraps for you? If it’s produce, consider composting to make dirt for your garden.

Get more health and wellness tips at Avera.org/Balance.