Let’s realize that organization in the refrigerator is not just about an insta-worthy look. It can do or break your ability to maintain a healthy diet. A well -organized refrigerator can also help you save money and cut down on food waste (3, 4).
As a dietitian, I have worked with so many clients who go to the grocery store with the best intentions. The only problem is that they forget the fresh products stored at the back of the fridge at home. And we can all relate to the unknown science experiment we reveal from the back of the refrigerator.
Here’s what I’ve learned: An unorganized refrigerator can lead to takeout at the last minute because you can’t find what you need. It’s a double whammy for your wallet: You spend money on takeout and waste money on groceries that destroy before using them.
With a small strategy, you can create a system that keeps your food visible, fresh and ready to go.
Here are some of my favorite tips to help you keep your refrigerator organized, reduce waste and set yourself up for healthier, stress -free meals all week.
The science of refrigerator organization
The way you store food in your refrigerator can do or break its freshness. This may have a ring effect on your health and wallet (4). Food like fruits, vegetables and dairy all has different ideal storage conditions, and placing them in the wrong place can make them go badly faster (1).
For example, very perishable items like milk are best stored on the middle shelf, where the temperature is most consistent (5). Meanwhile, vegetables do best in the sharper drawers where there is more humidity (5). Organizing your refrigerator with this in mind helps maintain freshness so that food does not go bad before it should (5). But more about all that.
An organized refrigerator can also push you toward making healthier choices (2). When fresh, ready to eat snacks like carved vegetables, hummus or Greek yogurt are visible and easily accessible, you are far more likely to grab them instead of reaching less nutritious options (2).
About the experts
Samantha Cassetty, MS, RDis a nationally recognized food and nutritionist, media personality, nutrition consultant and author. Cassetty is a previous nutrition director for good household and co -author of the book Sugar shock.
Denise Hernandez, Rd, is a food data curator at MyFitnessPal. Denise ended his master’s degree in Nutrition from Texas Woman’s University. Her focus areas include adults and childhood weight management, women’s nutrition and chronic disease management.
Meal Prep refrigerator organization connection
Meal planning and refrigerator organization goes hand in hand.
When your fridge is neat and organized, it is easier to see what you have, plan meals around these ingredients and avoid overbuying (2).
Plus, it makes healthy eating more practical-if your go-to snacks and meals are easy to get hold of, you are less likely to reach out to processed options.
A tool that fits well with the refrigerator organization is MyFitnessPal, which helps you track meals and make attentive choices. By planning ahead (that’s what meal planner is doing!) And keeps your fridge in stock and organized with prepled ingredients, you set up for success.
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Tips for meals and storage
- Use clear, stackable trash cans. Store staples ingredients such as cooked grains, proteins and toasted vegetables to easily see containers for fast meal unit. “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 space. These are good for meals that punch whole dishes, help with portion control and preventing food from interfering.
- Keep healthy snacks at eye level. Place fresh fruit, hard -boiled eggs or small containers with guacamole where you first see them, making it easier to grab something nourishing while avoiding food waste (2).
- Label and date residue. A simple sticker or dry marker helps you keep track of what needs to be eaten first, reducing food waste.
With a little planning and organization, your refrigerator can become a tool that supports your health targets instead of a chaotic black hole with forgotten ingredients.
Refrigerator zones Explained: Where to store different foods
Proper refrigerator organization helps maintain food safety and freshness while making it easier to find what you need (1).
“Divide your refrigerator into sections for different types of foods, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, 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 collapse of the best way to organize your refrigerator.
Top shelf
This is the hottest shelf in the refrigerator so it is best for ready to eat foods, including (5):
- Non-perishable drinks
- Nuts
- Nut butter
- Seed
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Medium shelves
This area maintains a consistent, cool temperature, making it ideal for certain perishable foods such as (5):
- Milk
- East
- Yogurt
- Cottage Cheese
- Egg
- Prepared foods
- Remains
Bottom shelf
This is the coldest part of the fridge, so this is where your raw foods belong. Always store your raw foods on a tray or in a leakage container container to prevent juice from dripping on other foods and causing cross contamination (5).
- Raw meat
- Raw poultry
- Raw seafood
Crisper drawers
These drawers control moisture levels to help fruits and vegetables stay fresh longer (5). How to sort your products (5).
- Use the high moisture drawer for vegetables that will easily, like leafy vegetables, broccoli and carrots.
- Store fruits, such as apples and berries in the low -pedal drawer.
Door shelves
The refrigerator door is the hottest area (6). It is not appropriate for temperature -sensitive objects such as milk or eggs, even if your refrigerator contains an egg room in this zone (6). Instead, use the shelves for (6):
- Spices
- Non -Perdikable drinks
Smart storage solutions to prevent food waste
Labeling and dating your food containers may feel like an extra step, but it is super useful to reduce waste and remind you of the order in which certain items should be eaten (7).
By clearly marking what is inside and when it was prepared or purchased, you know what to use first (7).
It brings me to First in, first out -metode. It involves organizing your food so that older items are placed in front and newer items are stored behind them (7). This asks you to use the older food before opening something new, which prevents items from being forgotten and expiring (7).
Another system I use is Grouping similar items together. The walnuts are stored next to the cashews. All individual yogurt containers go to the same place. Grouping items like this allows you to quickly see what you have on hand.
Frequently asked questions (frequently asked questions)
What is the ideal refrigerator temperature of food security?
The ideal refrigerator temperature is on or below 40 ° F (1). This range keeps perishable foods fresh, while the growth of harmful bacteria can cause food -borne disease (1). I use a refrigerator thermometer on a middle shelf to make sure it keeps the right temperature.
How often should I clean my fridge and what cleaning products do I need?
Wipe down any waste as soon as they occur using either a dish with mild soapy water or a water and vinegar solution (1). Outside of this, there are no fixed rules, but you need to clean it regularly to ward off odor and prevent the growth of bacteria (1).
How long can I store leftovers?
Many leftovers can typically be stored in the refrigerator for three to four days (7). Mark them when you get home and notice the date they need to be eaten by (7).
What foods should never go in the fridge?
Food such as tomatoes, potatoes, onions, garlic and whole melons should never go in the fridge. The cold can affect their taste, texture or maturation process (8). Instead, store them in a cool, dry place for the best quality. Bread is another item that is best to leave the fridge because it stalls faster in there (8). You can store it on the counter or in the freezer (8). Also, do not put honey in the refrigerator because it can form crystals (8).
How do I prevent leafy vegetables from wicking too quickly?
Store them in a container lined with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture (9). Also store them in the crispier drawer in your refrigerator (5). For pre -washed greens, simply line the container with a dry paper towel to maintain freshness.
The lower line
Think of your refrigerator as a well -organized closet. When everything has a designated place, it’s easier to find what you need, put together meals without any problems and avoid forgetting what you already have.
Just as a messy closet can lead to forgotten clothes and purchases at the last minute, an unorganized refrigerator can make you overlook fresh ingredients, leading to food waste and unnecessary takeout (7).
But with a few simple systems – such as storing foods in their ideal zones, using clear trash cans and after the first out -method – you can create a refrigerator that works for you and your goals (7).
With these storage strategies, you spend less time searching and more time enjoying light, delicious meals, making it easier to reach your weight loss and wellness target.
The post how to organize your refrigerator so that nothing is lost or spilled appeared first on the MyFitnessPal blog.