Food waste
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Pour a small amount of milk into a separate glass to smell it, rather than smelling the bottle neck, to avoid false positives from residue.
Residue in the neck or opening can smell sour even if the milk inside is fine.
- Does not apply to Canadians.
3 people, independently
Do not reuse cheesecloth.
The cost of the cloth is less than the risk of food poisoning.
one person who lived it
Add stale bread or cheese scraps (like Parmesan rinds) to soup to reduce waste and add depth of flavor.
Cheese scraps add a nice depth of flavor; stale bread can be used to make dumplings.
one person who lived it
Buy single-serving Parmalat boxes instead of large lactose-free cartons if you do not drink much milk.
They are cheaper than other lactose-free options.
- Only applies if you are not lactose intolerant.
one person who lived it
Dilute regular canned coconut milk with an equal amount of water to create 'light' coconut milk.
It saves money compared to buying pre-diluted versions, which often cost the same but contain much less actual coconut milk.
4 people, independently
Store shelf-stable cartons of plant-based milk in the pantry until opened.
It saves fridge space and reduces waste; unopened cartons can last for a year.
one person who lived it
Use water instead of milk in scrambled eggs to make them fluffier.
Milk makes eggs creamier but denser.
one person who lived it
Use milk instead of creamer in coffee to reduce waste.
You can drink the excess milk straight or use it for other things, making you less likely to dump it.
one person who lived it
Use powdered milk for long-term storage as a substitute for liquid milk.
Powdered milk lasts a very long time.
one person who lived it
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Try a different brand if your milk consistently smells off upon opening.
The issue may be specific to the brand you buy.
one person who lived it
Share the cost of office creamer with coworkers by taking turns buying it.
This ensures the creamer is used up quickly.
one person who lived it
Use heavy cream as a replacement for milk in macaroni and cheese.
It's so good
one person who lived it
Pour milk into a glass before drinking rather than drinking directly from the carton.
It is more hygienic.
one person who lived it
Use Nestle Everyday powdered milk for tea and hot chocolate.
It is described as amazing in these drinks.
one person who lived it
Use smaller Tupperware containers to store chopped produce and small leftovers throughout the week.
It reduces plastic bag use and food waste.
one person who lived it
Froth egg whites or whole eggs before cooking to create fluffy scrambled eggs or omelets.
This technique mimics diner-style fluffiness without needing a blender.
one person who lived it
If you live alone or with few others, buy smaller sizes of milk so you use it up before it goes off.
3 people, independently
Understand that skim milk has a higher percentage of sugar relative to fat, though total calories are lower.
There is less fat and fewer overall calories.
one person who lived it
Wash your hands and avoid contaminating surfaces that contact food.
This prevents contamination and helps food last much longer.
one person who lived it
Buy salted butter instead of unsalted.
Most recipes calling for unsalted butter also require added salt, and the salt content in salted butter is usually enough for sweet baked goods.
one person who lived it
Use powdered milk for occasional dairy needs to ensure zero waste.
It provides reliable dairy when needed without spoilage issues.
one person who lived it