Let’s face it – Fridge organizations aren’t just about Instagram worthy of appearance. It can create and destroy the ability to maintain a healthy diet. A well-organized refrigerator can also help you save money and reduce food waste.3, 4).
As a nutritionist, I have worked with so many clients who go grocery shopping with the best intentions. The only problem is that I forget about the fresh produce that is found behind my refrigerator at home. And we can all be related to unrecognizable science experiments that reveal from behind the fridge.
Here’s what I’ve learned: A confused fridge can lead to last minute takeaways as you can’t find what you need. It’s a double whammy for your wallet: you spend money on takeout and waste money on rotting groceries before you use them.
A little strategy will make your food visible and create a system that is fresh and ready to go.
Here are some of my favorite tips to help you organize your fridge, reduce waste, and set yourself up for a healthier, stress-free diet all week.
The science of refrigerator organization
How to store food in the fridge can be used to make it fresh or break it. This can have ripple effects on your health and your wallet (4). Foods like fruits, vegetables and dairy products all have different ideal storage conditions. Putting them in the wrong place can make them worse faster (1).
For example, very perishable items, such as milk, are best stored on a central shelf where the temperature is most consistent (5). Vegetables, on the other hand, do their best with crisp drawers with more humidity (5). Having this in mind and keeping your fridge organized will help you stay fresh. This will help prevent the food from getting worse than it should be (5). But there’s just a little about that.
Organized refrigerators can also tweak you to make healthier choices (2). If you can see fresh, ready-to-eat snacks like cut-out vegetables, hummus, or Greek yogurt and easily accessible, you’re much more likely to grab them rather than reach for less nutritious options (2).
About the experts
Samantha Cassetti, MS, RDa nationally recognized food and nutrition expert, media personality, nutrition consultant and author. Cassetty is former nutrition director at Good Housekeeping and co-author of the book Sugar shock.
Dennis Hernandez, Lord, I am the food data curator for MyFitnessPal. Dennis earned her Masters in Nutrition from the Texas Women’s University. Her focus areas include weight management for adults and children, nutrition for women, and chronic disease management.
Meal Preparation – Fridge Organization Connection
Meal planning and fridge organization are closely related.
When the fridge is clean and organized, it’s easy to see what you have.2).
Plus, healthy eating is more convenient. If you can easily grab a catch of your go-to snacks and meal staples, you are less likely to reach the processed options.
One tool that often combines with refrigerator organization is MyFitnessPal. This helps you track your diet and make mindful choices. Set yourself for success by planning ahead (that’s what a meal planner does!) and leaving the prepared ingredients in the fridge in stock and organized.
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Meal preparation and storage tips
- Uses transparent stackable bins. Store staple ingredients such as cooked grains, proteins, and roasted vegetables in easy-to-read containers for quick meal assembly. “This makes it easier to see what you have and find what you need,” says Denise Hernandez, MS, RD, LD, MyFitnesspal Nutritionist.
- Try a container with a compartment. These are great for preparing the whole dish, aiding partial control and preventing food from mixing.
- Keep healthy snacks at eye level. Place a small container of fresh fruit, sturdy eggs, or guacamole to be seen first, making it easier to grab nutritious things while avoiding food waste.2).
- Labels and dates remainder. A simple sticker or dryer erm marker helps you track what you need to eat first and reduce food waste.
With a little planning and organization, a refrigerator can become a tool to support health goals instead of a chaotic black hole of forgotten materials.
The fridge zone explained: Where to store various foods
A proper refrigerator organization helps keep your food safe and fresh while still finding what you need (1).
“We divide the refrigerator into sections for different types of food, including fruit, vegetables, dairy products, protein, and leftovers. This will help you find what you need and prevent food from being lost behind other foods,” Hernandez said.2).
This is a breakdown of the best ways to organize your fridge.
Top shelf
This is the warmest shelf in the fridge, making it perfect for ready-to-eat foods (5):
- Perishable drinks
- nuts
- Nut Butter
- seed
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Central shelf
This area maintains a consistent cool temperature, making it ideal for certain perishable foods (5):
- milk
- cheese
- yogurt
- Cottage cheese
- egg
- Prepared food
- leftovers
Lower shelf
This is the coldest part of the fridge, so it’s where raw food belongs. Always store raw food in a tray or leak-proof container to prevent juice from dripping down on other foods or causing cross-contamination (5).
- Raw meat
- Raw chicken
- Raw seafood
A clear drawer
These drawers control humidity levels and help keep fruits and vegetables fresh for longer (5). This is how you sort your produce (5).
- Use high humidity drawers for easily wilted vegetables, such as lush greenery, broccoli and carrots.
- Store fruits such as apples and berries in low-humidity drawers.
Door shelf
The refrigerator door is the warmest area (6). Even if the fridge contains egg compartments in this zone, it is not suitable for temperature sensitive items such as milk and eggs (6). Instead, use the shelf ()6):
- seasoning
- Non-rotten drink
Smart storage solutions to prevent food waste
While labeling and dating food containers may feel like an extra step, they can be very helpful in reducing waste and reminding you of the order in which you should eat certain items (7).
You clearly mark what the inside is and know that when it is prepared or purchased, it must be used first (7).
It brings me First, the first out method. It involves organizing food so that old items are placed on the front and new items are stored in the back (7). This will encourage you to use old food before opening new ones, preventing items from being forgotten and expired (7).
Another system I use is Group similar items together. The walnuts are stored next to cashew nuts. All individual yogurt containers go to the same place. Grouping these items together will help you quickly see what you have at hand.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is the ideal fridge temperature for food safety?
The ideal refrigerator temperature is below 40°F (1). This range keeps perishable food fresh while slowing down the growth of harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne diseases.1). Use a fridge thermometer on the central shelf to make sure you are maintaining the proper temperature.
How often do I need to clean my fridge and which cleaning products should I use?
Wipe away the spill as soon as it occurs using a dish cloth using mild soapy water or a solution of water and vinegar (1). Other than that, there are no rules set, but you need to clean it regularly to prevent odors and prevent bacterial growth (1).
How long can I store leftovers?
Many leftovers can usually be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days (7). Mark them when you go home, paying attention to the dates they need to eat (7).
Shouldn’t it be in the fridge?
Foods like tomatoes, potatoes, onions, garlic and whole melons will never go into the fridge. Coldness can affect the flavor, texture, or the aging process (8). Instead, store them in a cool, dry place for the best quality. Bread is another item that is best to stay away from the fridge as it is faster and more stationary.8). Can be stored at the counter or in the freezer (8). Also, do not put honey in the fridge as it can form crystals (8).
Conclusion
Think of your fridge like a well-organized closet. If you have a designated location, it’s easy to find what you need, put together your meals effortlessly, and remember what you already have.
Just as messy closets lead to forgotten outfits and last minute purchases, a confused fridge can overlook fresh ingredients, leading to food waste and unnecessary takeaways (7).
But there are some simple systems – you can store food in the ideal zone, use clear bottles, and create a refrigerator that works for you and your goals, following the first method (7).
These storage strategies will help you to enjoy a simple, delicious meal and make it easier to achieve weight loss and wellness goals.
How to organize your fridge is to avoid getting lost or wasted on MyFitnessPal blog first.
