Crossword Genius

Spare food for Jack Sprat (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lean

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'spare' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'food for jack sprat' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'food' could be 'e' (E is an example) and 'e' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'lan' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lean that I've seen before include "Spare - list" , "Spare - incline" , "Without excess flesh" , "Containing little fat" , "With no fat; slope" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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