When we eat certain foods, we often throw parts of them in the trash, like the core of an apple or the skin of kiwi. But it turns out that a lot of that food, the “leftovers” that we routinely throw away, are actually edible and good for us. The next time you eat these foods, especially if you buy organic, be sure not to throw away certain vegetable waste, such as leaves, peels, and stems of fruits and vegetables that you can continue to eat and are healthy.
Vegetable waste you could be taking advantage of
Not only for economic savings, but to increase your good health, you may need to pay attention to the following information that will make you take full advantage of the vegetables that commonly form a large amount of waste in the form of peels, seeds and stems wasting their benefits and various uses in the kitchen, health and beauty.
Broccoli stems and leaves
Most of us only eat the broccoli florets, but the stems even have the best in nutrients. As for the broccoli leaves, they are especially healthy because they contain carotenoids, which are converted into vitamin A. Just add the leaves with the rest of the broccoli when it is cooking.
How to use:
- Cut the stems finely and add when sautéing
- In soups
- Brocoli salad
- Juice recipes in extractor
Orange peel and pith
Orange peels, as well as the white part between the peel and the fruit, are very healthy, contrary to popular belief. They contain flavonoid antioxidants, including hesperidin. Hesperidin is a powerful anti-inflammatory and can also help lower cholesterol levels. The antioxidants in orange peels are also powerful histamine suppressants and can help with lung cleansing and allergies. There are a lot of recipes that call for an orange peel.
How to use orange waste in the form of a peel:
- Orange peel tea
- Desserts and foods that call for orange zest
- Kitchen cleaners
- Deodorizer
- Insect repellent
Celery leaves
Celery greens may not be crisp like the stalks, and peanut butter cannot be spread on them for a healthy snack, but they are not to be thrown away either. Celery leaves contain more magnesium (5 times more) and calcium than stalks, as well as vitamin C and antioxidants.
How to use celery waste in leaf form:
- Just like you would use celery – soups, stir fries, fresh juices, etc.
- Use as a garnish
- Chop and mix into sauces
- Add a handful in mixed salads
Potato skins
According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics , potato skins have more nutrients than the rest of the potato. Like the skin, it contains about half the fiber of the potato, and it also contains calcium, B vitamins, vitamin C, iron, and other nutrients.
How to use:
Only leave the skin on when making baked or mashed potatoes
Pumpkin and zucchini seeds
Pumpkin seeds (also known as pepitas) are considered a superfood. They are rich in iron, Omega 3, zinc, magnesium, fiber, calcium, B vitamins, and a host of other nutrients. They contain a large amount of tryptophan, so they can be good for helping you fall asleep and improve your mood (tryptophan is converted to serotonin in the body). Pumpkin seeds are also anti-inflammatory and can reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and arthritis.
How to use squash waste:
- Roast and eat as a snack
- Eat them raw straight from the squash or zucchini
- Put them in salads
- Put them on homemade bread
Apple peel
Apple peel contains more fiber than the rest of the apple (4.4 grams of fiber in a medium unpeeled apple versus 2.1 grams when the apple is peeled). Apple peels are also rich in vitamins A and C.
Another reason to eat whole apples is that they contain an antioxidant called quercetin that is mainly found in the peels. This substance improves lung function and breathing problems, and can also fight cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. If you are overweight, you will be happy to know that apple peel contains ursolic acid, which increases muscle mass and “brown” fat, thus boosting your metabolism.
How to use:
Eat the whole apple, peel and all.
Beet, turnip and carrot greens
If you buy your root vegetables at a local farmers market, then chances are that you buy them with the leafy greens still. Don’t throw them away. As with other vegetables, the leafy greens of these vegetables contain nutrients such as calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, B vitamins, vitamin K, antioxidants, and much more. Oh, and if you’ve heard rumors that carrot greens are poisonous, you can ignore this myth. Carrot leaves are perfectly safe to eat.
How to use beet waste in leaf form:
- Steamed, sautéed or stir-fried
- In juicer juices
- Green smoothies
- For the soups
- Carrot leaves can be finely chopped and used as a garnish or in salads
Watermelon rind
It turns out that the inner white part of the watermelon rind contains citrulline . Citrulline is an amino acid that dilates blood vessels and therefore improves blood circulation. Because citrulline is converted to L-arginine in the body, it is often taken as a performance-enhancing nutrient and is said to fight impotence. Evidence for its efficacy in this matter is scant, but there is no reason not to get an extra dose of its nutrients and reduce food waste by eating the bark.
How to use:
- Just gnaw deeper into the watermelon when eating it
- Carve the white crust and use it in smoothies or cocktails
- Canning with watermelon rind
Watermelon seeds
Watermelon seeds are rich in iron, magnesium, zinc, copper (which is why they are used for hair and skin enhancement), as well as other important nutrients.
You can buy watermelon seeds in some specialty stores.
How to use:
- If possible, do not spit them out when you eat watermelon
- Grill and eat them as a sandwich with lemon and chili powder
- Add the roasted seeds to salads
- Grind them and put them in your smoothies or sprinkled in meals
Banana peels
Banana peels are a great source of fiber and actually contain more than the meat within them. But the really great thing about banana peels is that they contain a lot of tryptophan , which means that they can help you sleep. Tryptophan is converted to serotonin in the body, and studies have found that consuming 2 banana peels for 3 days can increase blood serotonin levels by 16%. Since serotonin is our “happy chemistry,” it’s no wonder that other studies have found that banana peels can help ease depression.
How to use banana peel waste:
- Put them in a jar and cover with water. Then use the water to water the plants.
- Eat them fried, sautéed
- Making banana peel chutney
- Eat them to treat depression or insomnia
- Leave on face to hydrate or fight acne
- Rubs on natural teeth as a whitener
- Put on the skin for insect bites, poison ivy or rashes
- Used for polishing leather or silver
- To fertilize the plants
- To make you