Practising thrift at dinnertime: mealtime leftovers, sacrifice and family membership

More sociological contributions, most notably social practice theory, have provided an additional, complementary lens on the issue of food waste.

“In response, more sociological contributions, most notably evolving around social practice theory, have provided an additional, complementary lens on the issue of food waste”

Families with children find it difficult to predict whether their children will be eating at home at all.

“Second, families with children find it difficult to predict whether their children will be eating at home at all (Cappellini and Parsons, 2012;Evans, 2011a;Ganglbauer et al., 2013;Porpino et al., 2015).”

Especially households with children generate more waste from meals, given the rather unpredictable eating patterns and preferences of children.

“Some studies suggest that especially households with children generate more waste from meals, given the rather unpredictable eating patterns and preferences of children (Cappellini and Parsons, 2012;Evans, 2011aEvans, , 2012)).”

Family members might not like new recipes.

“also, family members might not like new recipes (Cappellini and Parsons, 2012;Evans, 2012b;Farr-Wharton et al., 2014).”

Cooking with what is found in the fridge requires time, knowledge and cooking skills to better utilise food creatively.

“A barrier to 'food waste cooking' is that cooking with what is found in the fridge requires time, knowledge and cooking skills to better utilise food creatively; also, family members might not like new recipes (Cappellini and Parsons, 2012;Evans, 2012b;Farr-Wharton et al., 2014).”

Eating leftovers is frequently associated with feelings of sacrifice and thrift for the good of the family.

“Also, eating leftovers is frequently associated with feelings of sacrifice and thrift for the good of the family (Cappellini, 2009;Cappellini and Parsons, 2012).”

Using parts of the old dish and make a completely new one out of it often requires too much time and efforts.

“Using parts of the old dish and make a completely new one out of it often requires too much time and efforts (Cappellini and Parsons, 2012).”

Serving leftovers is less acceptable when guests are invited for a meal as it is important to present the family in the best possible light.

“Finally, serving leftovers is less acceptable when guests are invited for a meal as it is important to present the family in the best possible light (Cappellini, 2009;Cappellini and Parsons, 2012).”