21 foods and drinks you throw away but shouldn't

You'll think twice about throwing these foods away after reading this...

These common leftovers are often discarded but you could be throwing away nutritional goodness, natural remedies and even cleaning products. Find out about the food and drink scraps you could be reusing.

Pineapple core

The core of a pineapple is high in bromelain (‘nature’s aspirin’) which reduces pain and inflammation. There’s also plenty of fibre as vitamins and minerals. The core can be a bit hard and unappetising so you can stick it in a blender for a smoothie or boil it to reduce it to stock to consume its goodness.

Celery leaves

The leafy green tops of celery sticks are a goldmine for health benefits. They are low in fat and calories but high in vitamins (K, C, B6 and A), minerals and fibre. The leaves are good for your liver, can help control blood pressure, reduce inflammation and help prevent ulcers.

Corn silk

Corn silk – the fine threads on corn on the cob – can be made into tea which has been used to treat an array of health issues. Most commonly, corn silk is used to treat urinary tract infections due to its properties as a diuretic. The liquid can also be used to lower and control blood pressure due to it not having side effects like many over-the-counter medicines. Corn silk tea can also relieve persistent itching around the area of a bite or a rash.

Chicken bones

Instead of being discarded, chicken bones can be boiled and used to make a stock.

Pickle juice

Although good to throw down the sink due to its cleaning properties, pickle juice can be helpful in various ways. The vinegar in pickle juice can help cool sunburn and remove the stinging sensation from the affected area when pressed there as well as soothing aching joints and muscles. Pickle juice is also apparently a great hangover cure.

Strawberry leaves

The leaves of strawberries can be brewed in tea and used to alleviate gastrointestinal problems such as a stomach ache. The leaves can also help improve digestion. Strawberry leaves can reduce pain and inflammation of joints as they are a diuretic, which helps the body drain out excess water.

Watermelon seeds

According to Mello – a watermelon company – the blank seeds inside the watermelon that we all spit out are actually full of nutrition. Once seeds have been sprouted, dried and shelled, 100 grams of seeds give you 34g of protein as well as magnesium and help strengthen your bones. The rind of watermelon can be used to improve blood flow because it is high in citrulline.

Onion skins

After peeling an onion (and drying your eyes), the onion peelings very often end up in the bin. But if you are suffering from hayfever, these peels could be the key to controlling the allergy. This is because onions are naturally anti-histamines. They are also high in quercetin which can help prevent heart problems and high blood pressure. In order to extract the goodness from the onion scales, simply boil the onions without peeling them. When it begins to simmer, let it cool and peel it.

Pumpkin seeds

Pumpkin seeds are high in magnesium which is important for bone density, heart health and an array of other things. Seeds can also be used as a cue for insomnia because they contain tryptophan which the body converts into melatonin, which triggers sleep.

Sour milk

If you are a cheese-lover, instead of throwing sour milk away you can use it to make cottage cheese. All you need is to add vinegar to the heated soured milk and homogenise the liquid as you normally would to make cheese. Once the curds are separated, rinse through a colander. If using sour milk to cook sounds unappealing, pouring it onto flowerbeds in the garden gives the earth more calcium to grow.

Banana skins

Like pumpkin seeds, banana peels can help sleep due to levels of tryptophan. However, if eating banana skins seems unappealing, they can act as a moisturiser and be rubbed on spots and burns to help heal them. No preparation is required for this either, just remove the fruit from its skin and keep the peel in its natural form.

Broccoli stems and cauliflower stalks

Both broccoli stems and cauliflower stalks are as good for us as the florets and yet many discard the stems. They are high in protein, sodium, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and Vitamin A.

Orange peel

Reducing your discarded orange peels to oil can help reduce the feelings of depression and anxiety by acting as a relaxant. Oranges can also settle your stomach, help you fight a cold or relieve you of some stress. And the peels can also be used to light a fire, in case you find yourself camping without wood but with a few oranges.

Lemon peel

Lemon peels can be a great source of flavor for both food and drink. You can also use them to make a cleaning vinegar to help clean your household appliances or rub lemon peels on coffee stains to remove them from mugs.

Eggshells

The shells of eggs are rich with calcium which our bodies need to stay strong and healthy. Our teeth need calcium to be protected from sugary drinks and foods – eggshell toothpaste can be a perfect way to replenish the enamel worn away over time and even whiten teeth.

Stale bread

Stale bread can be torn into cubes, drizzled with oil and then put in an oven to make croutons. Croutons can be a great addition to salad and soups as well as a quick snack on their own. Stale bread can also be used for making stuffing and breadcrumbs to accompany main meals or even as a pudding.

Potato skins

Potato skins are often served as starters in restaurants with an array of dips but many dispose of them at home after peeling potatoes. Potato skins have plenty of fibre, nutrients, protein, iron and potassium packed within them. So next time think before you peel.

Lettuce

The stem of the lettuce can be used to grow more lettuce if it is cared for properly. After eating the delicious parts of the lettuce, the chopped down stem can be placed in fresh water directly in sunlight. The heart of the lettuce will begin to sprout new leaves after a few days and then transferred to soil to grow into a whole new lettuce.

Avocado

If you find your avocado is too big to eat, don’t just throw the rest away. Ripe and ripening avocado can be mashed up and condensed into an oil to make your hair appear shinier.

Wine

If you’re faced with an abundance of leftover wine or even corked wine, you can use it to make a vinegar instead of throwing it down the sink. Simply pour it into a jar, cover it and put it in a dark place for a couple of months. In the winter, leftover wine can be mulled for drinking.

Have you got any other suggestions for food and drink we usually discard? Let us know in the Comments below.

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