Did you know that by 2035 there will be more than 5 million people living alone in Spain? Specifically, more than 5.7 million households in Spain will be formed by a single person in 2035, which means that, in 15 years, almost three out of ten households will be single-person households, according to the 'Household Projection 2020-2035' from the National Institute of Statistics (Opens in a new window) (INE).
Every year on November 11, Singles' Day is celebrated, a date that has been celebrated since 1993 for not having a partner. In order to manage the shopping for those households where only one person lives and avoid waste, Jaume Giménez (Opens in a new window), a nutrition expert from Nutritional Coaching and advisor to Dia, has compiled a list of five tips to organize your meals:
- Opt for canned products. Foods like legumes, sardines, or tuna can be a great option because they usually come in adjusted portions and due to their preservation method, their nutrients and nutritional properties remain intact for a long period of time.
- Freeze what you won't use. Doing so is a good strategy to avoid food waste. This way, you will prevent the loss of nutrients and extend their shelf life. You can freeze bread, meat, fish, and even fruits to prepare delicious smoothies. Another option is to buy frozen food directly, just make sure to choose fresh frozen products like vegetables, fish, or fruits. These maintain all their properties and are an excellent way to plan meals and avoid waste.
- Make use of leftover food to incorporate them into new recipes. Don't throw anything away! Using leftover vegetables to make a homemade broth, create a salad, or even for composting is a good way to reduce food waste. Another option is to make stir-fries, fillings, or creams where you can include some of these ingredients and get excellent results.
- Don't forget about expiration dates. Food rotation is an excellent strategy to avoid waste, consume what you have at home before going shopping or place the foods that have been in your fridge or pantry the longest at the front. You can also include a label indicating when you opened a product, this will help you with your organization.
- Plan your meals weekly. Making a shopping list will help you avoid unnecessary purchases and reduce food waste. If your time organization allows it, opting for more frequent shopping at your local supermarket, instead of making large monthly or bi-weekly purchases, will also help you choose wisely.