How much of your money gets gobbled up by food?

If you don’t know, you should be using a free tracking service like PowerWallet to find out. But however you discover what you’re spending, don’t be surprised if it’s hard to swallow.

For example, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Making Health Easier site has a sobering statistic: In 1960, about a quarter of what Americans spent on food was for meals out of the house. By 2011, food eaten away from home swallowed half the average food budget.

Since restaurant meals are typically more expensive and less healthy than home-cooked, one way to salvage both budget and waistline could be less eating out.

But dining in can also be problematic. According to a study from the Natural Resources Defense Council , from farm to fork, waste consumes up to 40 percent of American food annually. Within a household, the council says, “ About two-thirds of household waste is due to food spoilage from not being used in time, whereas the other one-third is caused by people cooking or serving too much.”

There are two ways to radically reduce food-related expenses: Spend less eating out, and waste less food.

But that’s just the beginning. Depending on where your money’s going now, it’s possible you could slice your food-related expenses by up to half. Check out these ideas:

1. Buy discounted meat, poultry and fish

What most of us do is create a menu, then go to the store and buy the ingredients. A better way might be to plan our menus around what’s on sale.

One of my local grocery stores, Publix, puts different cuts and types of meats on sale every week. Grab what’s on sale. If it’s your favorite, stock up.

2. Eliminate soda and sugary drinks

Not only is this good for your health, it’s good for your wallet. Last year, a Gallup poll showed that nearly half of Americans drink soda every day.

Stick to water whenever possible; it’s nearly free. Need more variety? Buy powdered drink mixes or tea and make it yourself.

3. Opt for whole instead of cut produce

A container of fruit salad at my grocery store can cost $5. But when I buy the fruits separately and slice them myself, the same money will pay for a week’s worth. Slicing fruit isn’t rocket science.

4. Try Meatless Monday

Monday isn’t a requirement, but consider joining the Meatless Monday movement. Less meat can mean less fat, clearer arteries and lower expenses. If you can’t imagine a meal not centered on meat, look online for recipes. There are thousands upon thousands.

5. Buy only food

Do you grab home essentials at the grocery store, where laundry detergent and deodorant cost more? You’re paying extra for convenience. Stores like Walmart and Walgreens have much better deals. See The 10 Best Things to Buy at Drugstores and learn how you might find some items super cheap, even free.

6. Make your own snacks

Cheez-Its, Goldfish and all manner of snacks are a quick pick, but they add up when you check out. Pack lunches and after-school snacks with fresh fruit, carrots or homemade granola, and you’ll lower your calories and spending. Strung out on Goldfish? You can make them yourself.

7. Visit farmers markets

Big-box grocers offer a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, but variety doesn’t translate to inexpensive. Visit your local farmers market, which may be less expensive, or go straight to the farm. See 7 Ways to Score Cheap Locally Grown Food for more.

8. Buy generic

From flour to salt to pasta, you can save 30 percent or more with store brands. This works for practically everything on your grocery list. But even if you hate generics, it’s hard to argue it’s worth paying more for these seven things.

9. Make more

If you’re stocking up on meat and veggies, why not cook extra? Roast a chicken with veggies at the beginning of the week and use leftovers for chicken salad, tacos or a pasta dish. Stretch your meals.

10. Make essentials yourself

When it comes to staples like bread, pasta sauce, soups and stock, save by making them yourself. There won’t be any mysterious or unpronounceable ingredients, and you can create the flavors you prefer.

11. Make lists — lots of them

I use Wunderlist for my grocery list, and share it with other members of my household. They can add items when we run out, and it means I don’t have to be the pantry police. I build my list from my meal plan for the week, which is based on what’s on sale and what I already have on hand.

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