Not wasting food can help a healthy heart (From Smallholder)

Not wasting food can help a healthy heart

1:30pm Monday 3rd May 2010 in

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Many of us throw away fruit and vegetables that are starting to look a bit sorry for themselves without thinking, even though they’re still edible. In the UK, we throw away a staggering 13.2 million grapes, 4.4 million apples, and 2.8 million tomatoes everyday.

Just because it looks a bit wrinkly or overripe doesn’t necessarily mean it’s no good. Fruit and vegetables that seem past their best still contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre that are an essential part of a heart-healthy diet. Using them up will reduce waste and save you pennies too.

• Use tomatoes to make your own pasta sauce with garlic and herbs or a refreshing summer salsa with red peppers and some olive oil.

• Add anything that’s looking past its best to whatever dish you’re cooking: apples can be sliced and cooked in parcels with pork steaks and orange slices will add a zing to chicken.

• Heat up grapes, kiwis and bananas that look a bit worse for wear, in a pan with some orange juice and spices for a warm and spicy fruit salad.

• Make your own scrumptious banana and walnut bread with bananas that have black spots on the skin.

• Turn leftover vegetables into a mouth-watering soup and freeze in tubs to eat another day.

Don’t let them go to waste, eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day and exercising daily will help keep your heart and arteries healthy.

For more information and advice about healthy living, contact Heart Research UK on 0113 297 6206 or email lifestyle@heartresearch.org.uk