My dad had a simple approach in his relationship to food. Somewhat of a health nut, I can’t help but feel that he was scornful of my own approach (see: cheese burgers, milkshakes and snacky weekends) – albeit silent in his judgment.

He’d say: “If you’re hungry, eat an apple. If you don’t want an apple, you’re not really hungry.”

While I can’t say we ever settled the debate, one thing’s for sure, he had a healthy respect for food and hardly ever threw something out.

After hearing these truisms for over 30 years, I hear his voice whenever I find myself teetering on the edge of chucking out some food. It’s meant I eat EVERYTHING in my fridge which means I end up saving a pretty penny on my groceries each month because I don’t buy anything unnecessary.

• Keeping an eye on the ‘best before’ date. If I know I won’t use the item in time, I give it away.
• I try to store food creatively to make it visible. Each week, I check the fridge and cupboard to keep tabs on what I have.
• I try to plan my meals on a weekly basis so that I don’t prepare too much and end up wasting. Plus, I can freeze what’s extra.
• I’m a big fan of going for seconds rather than heaping my plate.
• I try to eat the whole item from top to tail. Vegetable skins make amazing broths and soup bases while offal (e.g. heads, organs, hooves) can be used in pet food.