Posted on 04/08/2021 9:19:37 AM PDT by mylife
s putting leftovers into the fridge a useless endeavor? New research shows the majority of leftovers Americans cook winds up in the trash uneaten.
It’s not for lack of trying however, according to the new study. In fact, 61 percent say they always refrigerate their leftovers, but never get around to eating them.
The poll of 2,000 Americans asked respondents about their cooking habits and being a solo chef. Researchers find 66 percent say when they cook for themselves, they always accidentally end up making enough food to feed a family. It’s no wonder then that three in five respondents constantly feel like they’re wasting food when they fly solo in the kitchen.
Cooking solo has pros and cons cooking for oneConducted by OnePoll on behalf of Gilbert’s Craft Sausages, the survey reveals the hardest part of cooking for one is having the self control to even do it. Nearly half the poll (48%) say they constantly struggle with the urge to order delivery or takeout instead of cook.
Respondents also admit they feel like their food never stays hot enough by the time they sit down to eat (43%) or they feel too stressed after cooking the meal to truly enjoy it (38%). Forty-six percent say finding healthy options for single serve, ready-to-eat meals is another struggle they often face.
Cooking for one isn’t all bad though, as 66 percent of respondents say this is the perfect opportunity for them to have creative freedom in the kitchen. Nearly three in four Americans (73%) agree that a top perk of cooking for just themselves is being able to make their food exactly how they like it.
Conversely, when they cook for others, 64 percent feel like they always have to adapt
I love to cook but hate leftovers. Fortunately, I have a teenager that eats at odd hours.
Leftovers get eaten the next day for lunch.
Or else they go out in the trash. Or given to our two rescue dogs.
After my kids all grew up and moved out on their own I had this problem. After 20 years of grocery shopping for four people I had to switch to 1.
So I solved it by making something and eating it until it was gone. Otherwise I was just buying groceries to throw out three fourths of it.
I gradually learned to make smaller portions. Or make a large portions and freeze it immediately, So I wasn’t having to cook every single day.
meh you work it in new dishes
dogs first!
...and to think this goes on while people are STARVING in China.
Well, not anymore, we solved that problem by making them an economic and military superpower.
Eat the dang leftovers, people. Good grief.
Regards,
>>Researchers find 66 percent say when they cook for themselves, they always accidentally end up making enough food to feed a family.
Nope.
I may eat it for 2 - 3 meals but I just don’t have the budget to make a “big batch” especially if something is going to possibly be thrown out.
More likely I’ve bought produce in bulk (more than I wanted to buy but wasn’t given an option on size) and some of all of it has gone bad before I’ve had a chance to cook/eat it. It’s why I try to buy perishables only on the day that I plan to use them. Let them expire on someone else’s shelf.
Invest in decent tupperware or some such (microwavable) and take leftovers to work the next day as lunch. Typically cheaper and healthier than cafeteria or fast food.
Have your 20-something son "bounce back" to stay with you for a few months while finishing up school and starting a new job. Leftovers evaporate. Particularly when said son is into fitness and weight training.
Get interested in cooking, trying things out. You find yourself just making a modest amount of dish xyz in case you don't like it. So far so good, but I've determined via empirical means that Gordon Ramsay and I have very different takes on the meaning of "simple" dishes. ;-)
why is buddha so damn fat?
Are people ever worried that when they go to a homestyle restaurant (like one called “Ma’s Diner”) that the waitress will just bring out the leftover portion that you didn’t finish the last time you were in there?
The bottomless crockpot of stew...
My wife is a great cook, and I’m good with the outside grill and making omelets and grilled sandwiches with the inside stove/grill
Both of us love left overs, and seldom if ever, do any left overs ever get thrown away.
I’m cleaning out my parents house right now. My father died last year at 90, and my mother at 92 just moved into an adult care facility.
they were preppers. Not only are there 15 boxes of “mormon food” (no, they were not mormon), but many bags of beans that expired 16 years ago. I’m living on the canned food in the pantry, much of which “expired” ten years ago. But canned food is pretty indefinite. The expiration date is really just the date they guarantee the flavor and texture. So far I’m doing fine. :)
I could survive a couple of months on that canned food.
Gee, such a problem! Idiots.
You plan your meals. And how hard is it to scale down your recipe? There are even websites that help you do such. Or you can freeze some portions.
This isn’t difficult. It just takes organization and planning.
Damn it Homer! you just ate!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.