Food for Thought

Waste not

Stop throwing away these surprisingly nutritious foods.

Food waste is a major issue in Aotearoa New Zealand. According to Love Food Hate Waste NZ, Kiwi homes throw away 157,398 tonnes of food per year, all of which we could eat.

We often discard things like produce skins and stems, which are not only edible but also a great source of additional fibre and nutrients. Curb food waste in your household by adding peels and stems you would normally throw away into nutritious, delicious recipes.

Cucumber skin

As cucumbers contain 95% water and are low in calories, they are a refreshing, nutritious and incredibly versatile addition to any diet. The skins of cucumber are rich in vitamin K and phytochemicals and also contain magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, manganese, pantothenic acid, molybdenum and insoluble dietary fibre.

To gain the maximum nutritional benefits, eat cucumbers with the skin on, as peeling reduces the amount of dietary fibre, along with some vitamins and minerals. The skin of a cucumber contains more vitamin K than the flesh, which supports bone health and blood clotting.

Often eaten raw, cucumbers make great low-calorie snacks, perfect with hummus, olive oil, salt or your favourite salad dressing. Slice or grate, skin on and add to salads and smoothies.