New Year, New You! How to Organize Your Fridge to Prevent Food Waste!
By Megan Roosevelt, RDN and Founder of
HealthyGroceryGirl.com
If you keep healthy food in your house, you will eat healthy food! The trick is to make sure you can
see your options and that they don’t spoil before you get to them! In today’s post I’m sharing how to organize your fridge to prevent food waste and make it easier to reach for nourishing choices. Organizing the refrigerator may seem tedious but it can help prevent food waste which translates to saving money, and that alone can be worth the extra effort!
On Top Of Your Fridge
Place cookbooks or kitchen appliances here if you must, but never food or beverages. It is common to add items such as bread, wine, cereal boxes and produce on top of the fridge however this can cause items to spoil due to the heat that naturally rises up from the refrigerator.
Fridge Upper Shelves
Upper shelves are perfect for food and beverage items that
do not require cooking. Keep leftovers, drinks and ready to eat foods here. Store fresh herbs on the top shelves as well, up right in glass jars with water to prevent wilting.
Fridge Lower Shelves
The lower shelves are the coldest space in your refrigerator and are perfect for foods that
do require cooking such as proteins and any raw ingredients.
Fridge Door
The door is the warmest section of the refrigerator and ideal for condiments or items that do not perish easily.
Fridge Crisper Drawers
Keep fruits and vegetables separate. If you have two drawers, designate one crisper drawer for fruits and one for vegetables. As fruit ripens it produces ethylene, which can speed up the ripening of other produce, even causing some to rot or sprout. It’s true that it only takes one rotten apple to ruin a whole bunch! To prevent this from happening separate your fruits and vegetables and do not overcrowd. If you notice any produce item starting to go bad, quickly remove it!
Optional Refrigerated Items:
Did you know that some items should not be placed within the refrigerator? Some foods will turn mealy or become flavorless when refrigerated.
Keep These Items At Room Temperature:
- Tomatoes
- Potatoes
- Garlic
- Onions
- Pumpkin
- Squash
- Melon
- Avocado
- Olive Oil
- Coffee
General Healthy Fridge Tips:
- Don’t overcrowd your refrigerator.
- Clean often! Wipe down shelves and the inside of crisper drawers with an all-natural cleaner. Using cleaners with harsh chemicals, artificial ingredients and fragrance can leave behind a nasty residue, which can then be absorbed into your food! Try a simple natural cleaning solution such as vinegar and water! Use 3 parts hot water and 1 part vinegar to make your cleaning solution.
- Keep the refrigerator at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
For more tips, healthy recipes, cooking videos and nutrition plans, visit Megan’s website at
healthygrocerygirl.com
