How to properly store food in the refrigerator: 5 useful tips

If your refrigerator is constantly full of food and it seems like there is nothing to eat, it is worth thinking about and reconsidering your habits. Proper storage organization will not only extend the shelf life of food, but also help you make healthier choices. If you always have fresh fruits and vegetables in the house, you’ll be less likely to want to snack on something unhealthy. These five tips will help foods retain their flavor and health benefits longer.

Containers and individual bags

If you store food together and without packaging, it can spoil more quickly. If one apple or tomato starts to rot, bacteria can spread to neighboring fruits and vegetables. In addition, odors are mixed in this way, and the refrigerator smells unpleasant.

You can solve this problem with the help of special containers. Today in stores there is a wide choice: plastic, glass and even wooden ones. Sealed bags with a clasp are also suitable. They take up less space than containers and cost less.

However, some foods should not be stored in bags. Meat, chicken, fish and cheeses should be transferred to containers or wrapped in foil.

Greens, vegetables and fruits together with paper

Many fruits and vegetables rot quickly in the refrigerator. This happens due to the increased humidity level, as not all refrigerators provide a special zone for storing these products. Therefore, to prolong their freshness, you can put paper napkins to them or even store herbs, vegetables and fruits in paper bags. They will absorb condensation and prevent moisture from accumulating.

Vegetables and fruits should also be stored separately if possible. Many fruits (apples, pears, peaches, etc.) produce ethylene gas, which accelerates the deterioration of vegetables. Carrots, broccoli, asparagus and lettuce are particularly sensitive to it.

Separate zones for different foods

Few people think about the fact that the temperature inside the refrigerator is different and different zones are provided for different products. So, the warmest place is the door. Although some people are used to storing milk and sour cream here, it is better not to do so. Leave the door for juices, sauces, jams and preserves – they don’t need a particularly low temperature to stay fresh.

The top shelves are also warm enough. Here you should store foods that are ready to eat – like butter or yogurt – and leftovers from cooking. The middle shelves are suitable for milk, cottage cheese, cheese and eggs. The lower shelves are usually the coldest: meat, fish, chicken and other perishable foods are best stored here, but they must be packaged.

In addition, many modern refrigerators are equipped with the so-called zero zone. It is designed specifically for storing fruits, vegetables, herbs and fresh herbs.

Regular “revision” and cleaning

If you prefer to buy food in advance and load your fridge, for example, once a week, it’s worth doing a regular ‘audit’. Check not only the expiration date, but also the condition of the food: sometimes it can spoil, even if the date on the packaging says otherwise.

Also, do not forget to thoroughly clean your refrigerator. This way the food will stay fresher longer, and the device itself will maintain temperature better and consume less electricity.

Not for the refrigerator

It would seem that the shelf life of any products increases if you store them in the refrigerator. However, this is not entirely true. On the contrary, some foods retain their flavor and freshness better if kept at room temperature. These include potatoes, watermelons, melons, garlic, onions, as well as chocolate, tea and coffee. You can also store apples and unripe fruit without refrigeration so they can ripen after purchase.

More about five more five lifehacks that will help you lose weight without training, see in the video “Championship”.

If you properly store food and cooked healthy food, the temptation to eat something harmful will appear less often. After all, when there is tasty and healthy food in the refrigerator, you will not want to break your diet for the sake of a fat bun or chips.