severity of food waste

The festival of Thanksgiving is famous for delicious food and time spent with family, but it also comes with a serious problem, which is food wastage. According to one study, more than 320 million pounds of food may be wasted during Thanksgiving in the US this year.

Tips to Reduce Food Waste

Experts believe that a little planning and creative use of leftover foods can reduce this problem. Health experts have warned that the habit of staying hungry before main meals can have a negative impact on the digestive system.

Concerns about food waste at Thanksgiving

According to a report from a non-profit organization called ReFED, 320 million pounds of food could end up in the trash this year on Thanksgiving alone. The most wastage is of turkey and dairy products. Chef Joel Gamorn suggests that just a quarter pound of cooked turkey and a half cup of side dishes is enough for each person. Determining the correct quantity can reduce wastage.

Tips for Cooking a Whole Turkey

Chef Gamorn said people can cook a whole turkey, but still be sure to plan how the leftovers will be used later. He suggested that a delicious turkey stock could be made from leftover turkey bones. Simply boil the bones in cold water and cook for two hours and the stock can be used in soups or mashed potatoes.

Creative use of leftover materials

According to Gamorn, not only the turkey, but also leftovers from side dishes should not go to waste. As-
• Use carrot leaves as herb
• Turn potato peels into crunchy chips
• Roast onion and garlic peels in the oven and make their powder.
• Prepare umami vinegar by marinating squash peels in vinegar.
By these methods food wastage can be reduced to a great extent.

Why is it harmful to be hungry before a heavy meal

People often starve themselves before a heavy meal at Thanksgiving, but according to scientists this is harmful to health. According to Scientific American, suddenly consuming heavy food after being hungry for a long time puts pressure on the digestive system, which can lead to problems like bloating, gastric reflux and regurgitation.

Make the festival resourceful

Experts believe that the Thanksgiving meal conveys not only a delicious feast but also a message of wise use of resources. If families prepare meals with a little planning and use leftover foods creatively, this festival can save millions of pounds of food.