So, instead of putting the leaves in my composter, I hit Google and found out that Brussels sprout leaves are damn delicious and nutritious. Very little is written about the leaves that accompany the small green vegetable that Americans are obsessed with. Though I did find one thing: A short blurb on the Food Network’s site saying you can bake them or saute them as you would collard greens. I got to work, picking, cleaning, and cutting the leaves. I sprinkled on some garlic and onion powder, along with a few secret spices that will be taken to my grave with me (this is my discovery, sorry I’m not sharing it), and popped them in the oven at 425 for 20 minutes. What emerged was a crispy, garlicky treat that most certainly rivaled expensive kale chips. And that got me thinking—what else am I wasting? It turns out I am wasting a lot. And so are you. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, one-third of the food produced in the world for human consumption every year is wasted. That accounts for approximately 1.3 billion tons of food. Worst of all, fruits and vegetables—all the healthy things we should be consuming—have the highest wastage rates of any food. It’s time we change that. Here are seven food parts—like the mighty Brussels spout leaf—you should be eating instead of wasting. “You can expect three grams of fiber in two tablespoons of zest, five times more vitamin C in the peel than flesh, and other essential vitamins and minerals, including riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B5, vitamin A, calcium, iron, potassium, zinc, and magnesium,” Lauren Popeck RD, LD/N, told Reader’s Digest. Try this recipe featuring a dash of lemon zest. According to a 2011 article published in the Journal of Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, banana peels have “various bioactive compounds like polyphenols, carotenoids and others.” “Banana peel is eaten in many parts of the world, though [it’s] not very common in the West,” Laura Flores, a San Diego-based nutritionist, told Live Science. “It contains high amounts of vitamin B6 and B12, as well as magnesium and potassium. It also contains some fiber and protein.” Instead of biting into plain banana peels, try baking with them. RELATED: Classic Banana Bread Recipe This spaghetti recipe uses the entire broccoli. “Pineapple contains bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme; it has anti-inflammatory properties, can reduce nasal and sinus inflammation, and it can mitigate arthritis and muscle pain,” Popeck additionally shared with Reader’s Digest. “It also has anticoagulant properties, meaning it breaks down the blood clotting protein fibrin, for a potential cancer-fighting effect.” Not sure how to use it? Here are 16 fresh pineapple recipes to help you be less wasteful and get as many nutrients in your body as possible.
