Let us honestly his fridge organization is not just about an insta-worthy appearance. It can make or break your ability to maintain a healthy diet. A well -organized refrigerator can also help you save money and reduce food waste (3” 4).
As a dietitian I have worked with so many customers who do shopping with the best of intentions. The only problem is that they forget the fresh products at home in the back of the fridge. And we can all relate to the unrecognizable science experiment that we discover from the back of the fridge.
This is what I have learned: an unorganized refrigerator can lead to last-minute collection because you cannot find what you need. It is a double whammy for your wallet: you spend money on picking up and wasting money on groceries that spoil before you use them.
With a small strategy you can make a system that visibly, fresh and ready to make your food.
Here are some of my favorite tips to help you keep your refrigerator organized, reduce waste and to work all week for healthier, stress -free meals.
The science of the refrigerator organization
The way you store food in your fridge can make the freshness or break. This can have a wrinkle effect on your health and wallet (4). Foods such as fruit, vegetables and dairy products all have various ideal storage conditions, and placing in the wrong place can cause them to become bad faster (1).
For example, very perishable items such as milk can best be stored on the middle shelf, where the temperature is the most consistent (5). In the meantime, vegetables do best in the sharply drawers where there is more moisture (5). Organizing your refrigerator with this in mind helps to maintain freshness, so that food does not go badly rather than it should be (5). But more about that a bit.
An organized fridge can also push you to make healthier choices (2). When fresh, ready-made snacks such as cut-up veggies, hummus or Greek yogurt are visible and easily accessible, you are much more likely to grab them instead of achieving less nutritious options (2).
About the experts
Samantha Cassetty, MS, RDis a nationally recognized expert in the field of food and food, media personality, nutrition advisor and author. Cassetty is a former food director for Good Housekeeping and the co-author of the book Sugar shock.
Denise Hernandez, RD, is a food data curator at MyfitnessPal. Denise completed her master’s degree in food from the University of the Texas Woman. Her areas of attention include weight management of adults and children, nutrition of women and the management of chronic diseases.
The meal preparation fridge organizational connection
Meal planning and fridge organization go hand in hand.
When your fridge is neat and organized, it is easier to see what you have, to plan meals around those ingredients and to prevent you from being overburned (2).
In addition, healthy eating makes your go-to snacks and meal subjects easy to grab, you can reach less quickly to processed options.
A tool that combines well with the refrigerator organization is MyFitnessPal, which helps you follow meals and make it aware of choices. By planning in advance (that is what meal planner does!) And keep your fridge in stock and organized with prepared ingredients, you are for success.
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Tips for meal preparation and storage
- Use clear, stackable bins. Save non-ingredients such as boiled grains, proteins and roasted vegetables in easy to see containers for a quick meal composition. “This makes it easier to see what you have and find what you need,” says Denise Hernandez, MS, RD, LD, MyfitnessPal Nutritionist.
- Try containers with compartments. These are great for preparing whole dishes, helping with portion control and mixing foods.
- Keep healthy snacks at eye level. Place fresh fruit, hard -boiled eggs or small containers from Guacamole where you see them first, making it easier to grab something nutritious while avoiding food waste (2).
- Label and date leftovers. A simple sticker or dry erasemmarker helps you to keep up with what should be eaten first, reducing food waste.
With a little planning and organization, your refrigerator can become a tool that supports your health goals instead of a chaotic black hole of forgotten ingredients.
Refrigerator zones explained: where different foods are stored
A good refrigerator organization helps to maintain food safety and freshness, while it becomes easier to find what you need (1).
“Divide your fridge into sections for different types of food, such as fruit, vegetables, dairy products, proteins and leftovers. This will make it easier to find what you need and prevent food from being lost behind other foods,” says Hernandez (2).
Here is a breakdown of the best way to organize your fridge.
Top shelf
This is the warmest shelf of the refrigerator, so it is best for ready-made foods, including (5):
- Non-perishable drinks
- Crazy
- Note Butters
- Seed
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Middle shelves
This area maintains a consistent, cool temperature, making it ideal for certain perishable food, such as (5):
- Milk
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Hüttenkäse
- Egg
- Prepared food
- Leftovers
Bottom shelf
This is the coldest part of the fridge, so it is where you belong raw foods. Always store your raw food on a tray or in a leak -proof container to prevent juices from dripping on other foods and causing cross -contamination (5).
- Raw meat
- Poultry
- Raw seafood
Sharpen
These drawers arrange the humidity to help fruit and vegetables stay fresh for longer (5). Here is how you can sort your products (5).
- Use the drawer with high humidity for vegetables that easily wilt, such as leafy vegetables, broccoli and carrots.
- Save fruit, such as apples and berries in the drawer with low humidity.
Door shelves
The door of the refrigerator is the warmest area (6). It is not suitable for temperature -sensitive items such as milk or egg, even if your refrigerator contains an egg compartment in this zone (6). Instead, use the shelves for (6):
- Spices
- Non -Definitely drinks
Smart storage solutions to prevent food waste
Labeling and dating your food containers can feel an extra step, but it is super useful to reduce waste and remind you the order in which certain items must be eaten (7).
By clearly marking what is in it and when it is prepared or purchased, you know what should be used first (7).
That brings me to the First, first method. It is about organizing your food so that older items are placed at the front and newer items are stored behind it (7). This is what you use to use the older food before you open something new, so that items are forgotten and expired ((7).
Another system I use is Grouping together items together. The walnuts are stored next to the cashew nuts. All individual yogurt containers go to the same place. By grouping items like these, you can quickly see what you have at hand.
Frequently asked questions (frequently asked questions)
What is the ideal fridge temperature for food safety?
The ideal fridge temperature is on or below 40 ° F (1). This range keeps perishable food fresh while the growth of harmful bacteria slows down that can cause diseases transferred by food (1). I use a fridge thermometer on a middle board to ensure that it retains the correct temperature.
How often do I have to clean my fridge and which cleaning products should I use?
Wipe any leaks as soon as they happen using a vascular cloth with mild soap water or a water and vinegar solution (1). Apart from that there are no fixed rules, but you have to regularly clean it to ward off scents and prevent the growth of bacteria (1).
How long can I save leftovers?
Many leftovers can usually be stored in the fridge for three to four days (7). Mark them when you get home and state the date where they should be eaten (7).
Which food should never go in the fridge?
Foods such as tomatoes, potatoes, onions, garlic and whole melons should never go in the fridge. The cold can influence their taste, texture or ripening process (8). Instead, keep them in a cool, dry place for the best quality. Bread is another item that is best in the fridge, because it disturbs there faster (8). You can store it on the counter or in the freezer (8). Also do not put honey in the fridge because it can form crystals (8).
The Bottom Line
See your fridge as a well -organized cupboard. When everything has a designated place, it is easier to find what you need, effortlessly put together meals and to prevent you from forgetting what you already have.
Just like a messy cupboard can lead to forgotten outfits and last-minute purchases, an unorganized refrigerator can ensure that you overlook fresh ingredients, which leads to food waste and unnecessary collection (7).
But with a few simple systems – such as storing foods in their ideal zones, the use of bright trays and following the first in, first out of method – you can make a fridge that works for you and your goals (7).
With these storage strategies you spend less time searching and enjoying more time of simple, delicious meals, making it easier to achieve your goals for weight loss and well -being.
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