Pulled out some deli meat from fridge. My mother-in-law says it’s wasteful not to use it, but it looks bad to me. What should I do?

But what about “wasting food”? How to handle the guilt

This is where the arguments usually start. One person worries about health, the other worries about throwing food away.

Here’s the reality: the money is already spent. Keeping unsafe food in the fridge doesn’t “save” it – it just increases the chance that someone gets sick.

If it smells weird, feels slimy, or looks off, the safest move is simple: throw it out. You’re not being wasteful; you’re being responsible.

If you want to reduce waste long-term, focus on buying smaller quantities, freezing portions you won’t use quickly, and planning your meals better – not forcing yourself to eat something that’s clearly sketchy.