Alarming new research shows Americans may be wasting a third of the food they buy. Data shows people waste waste $240 billion worth of food annually, or an average of roughly $1,900 per household. This waste can have negative affects on health, food security and climate change.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization says food waste is the third largest emitter of carbons after the US and China. Researchers looked at 4,000 homes which were part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey, the FoodAPS. Biological measurements of the participants were also collected to determine metabolic rates and calculate the energy required for household members to maintain body weight. A difference between food purchased and the amount needed represented uneaten and wasted food. They also found households with higher income generated more waste. Households with healthier diets with more perishable fruits and vegetables wasted more food.

Food waste can be curtailed through weekly meal prep.

Other research has previously noted 30 to 40 percent of the food supply in the United States goes to waste. Households with less food waste also had greater food insecurity. These were homes participating in the federal SNAP food assistance program, commonly known as food stamps. Other homes with lower waste were homes where shopping lists were used and where the supermarket was much further away. Putting together a shopping list and making weekly meal prep a habit can not only lead to less food wasted, but also a healthier lifestyle. Contact me today to find out more about how to get your diet back on track with healthy meal planning.