How To Manage Your Fridge So Nothing Will get Misplaced Or Wasted

[ad_1] <img width="800" height="534" src="https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fridge-organization-tips-1024x683.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="How to organize your fridge for optimal freshness | MyFitnessPal" decoding="async" srcset="https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fridge-organization-tips-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fridge-organization-tips-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fridge-organization-tips-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fridge-organization-tips.jpg 1504w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> Let’s face it—fridge group isn’t nearly an Insta-worthy look. It could actually make or break your skill to take care of a nutritious diet. A well-organized fridge may also assist you lower your expenses and reduce down on meals waste (3, 4).

As a dietitian, I’ve labored with so many consumers who go grocery procuring with the most effective intentions. The one hassle is that they neglect in regards to the recent produce tucked at the back of the fridge at dwelling. And we will all relate to the unrecognizable science experiment we uncover from the again of the fridge.

Right here’s what I’ve discovered: A disorganized fridge can result in last-minute takeout as a result of you possibly can’t discover what you want. It’s a double whammy in your pockets: you spend cash on takeout and waste cash on groceries that spoil earlier than you utilize them.

With a bit of technique, you possibly can create a system that retains your meals seen, recent, and able to go.

Listed below are a few of my favourite ideas that can assist you hold your fridge organized, cut back waste, and set your self up for more healthy, stress-free meals all week lengthy.

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The Science of Fridge Group

The way in which you retailer meals in your fridge could make or break its freshness. This may have a ripple impact in your well being and pockets (4). Meals like fruits, greens, and dairy all have completely different supreme storage situations, and inserting them within the flawed spot could cause them to go unhealthy sooner (1).

For instance, extremely perishable objects like milk are greatest saved on the center shelf, the place the temperature is most constant (5). In the meantime, veggies do greatest within the crisper drawers the place there’s extra humidity (5). Organizing your fridge with this in thoughts helps protect freshness so meals doesn’t go unhealthy before it ought to (5). However extra on all that in a bit.

An organized fridge may also nudge you towards making more healthy selections (2). When recent, ready-to-eat snacks like cut-up veggies, hummus, or Greek yogurt are seen and simply accessible, you’re much more prone to seize them as a substitute of reaching for much less nutritious choices (2).

In regards to the Consultants

Samantha Cassetty, MS, RD, is a nationally acknowledged meals and vitamin skilled, media persona, vitamin guide, and writer. Cassetty is a former vitamin director for Good Housekeeping and the co-author of the ebook Sugar Shock.

Denise Hernandez, RD, is a Meals Information Curator at MyFitnessPal. Denise accomplished her Grasp’s Diploma in Vitamin from Texas Lady’s College. Her areas of focus embrace grownup and childhood weight administration, girls’s vitamin, and power illness administration.

The Meal Prep-Fridge Group Connection

Meal planning and fridge group go hand-in-hand.

When your fridge is neat and arranged, it’s simpler to see what you could have, plan meals round these substances, and keep away from overbuying (2).

Plus, it makes wholesome consuming extra handy—in case your go-to snacks and meal staples are simple to seize, you’re much less prone to attain for processed choices.

One instrument that pairs nicely with fridge group is MyFitnessPal, which helps you observe meals and make aware selections. By planning forward (that’s what Meal Planner does!) and conserving your fridge stocked and arranged with prepped substances, you set your self up for fulfillment.

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Meal Prep & Storage Suggestions

Use clear, stackable bins. Retailer staple substances like cooked grains, proteins, and roasted veggies in easy-to-see containers for fast meal meeting. “This makes it simpler to see what you could have and discover what you want,” says Denise Hernandez, MS, RD, LD, MyFitnessPal nutritionist.

Strive containers with compartments. These are nice for meal prepping total dishes, serving to with portion management and conserving meals from mixing.

Maintain wholesome snacks at eye degree. Place recent fruit, hard-boiled eggs, or small containers of guacamole the place you’ll see them first, making it simpler to seize one thing nutritious whereas avoiding meals waste (2).

Label and date leftovers. A easy sticker or dry-erase marker helps you retain observe of what must be eaten first, lowering meals waste.

With a bit of planning and group, your fridge can grow to be a instrument that helps your well being objectives as a substitute of a chaotic black gap of forgotten substances.

Fridge Zones Defined: The place to Retailer Completely different Meals

Correct fridge group helps keep meals security and freshness whereas making it simpler to search out what you want (1).

“Divide your fridge into sections for several types of meals, similar to fruits, greens, dairy, proteins, and leftovers. It will make it simpler to search out what you want and stop meals from getting misplaced behind different meals,” says Hernandez (2).

Right here’s a breakdown of one of the simplest ways to arrange your fridge.

Prime shelf

That is the warmest shelf of the fridge, so it’s greatest for ready-to-eat meals, together with (5):

Non-perishable drinks

Nuts

Nut butters

Seeds

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Center cabinets

This space maintains a constant, cool temperature, making it supreme for sure perishable meals, similar to (5):

Milk

Cheese

Yogurt

Cottage cheese

Eggs

Ready meals

Leftovers

Backside shelf

That is the coldest a part of the fridge, so it’s the place your uncooked meals belong. At all times retailer your uncooked meals on a tray or in a leak-proof container to forestall juices from dripping onto different meals and inflicting cross-contamination (5).

Uncooked meat

Uncooked poultry

Uncooked seafood

Crisper drawers

These drawers management humidity ranges to assist vegetables and fruit keep recent longer (5). Right here’s learn how to type your produce (5).

Use the high-humidity drawer for greens that wilt simply, like leafy greens, broccoli, and carrots.

Retailer fruits, similar to apples and berries within the low-humidity drawer.

Door cabinets

The fridge door is the warmest space (6). It’s not applicable for temperature-sensitive objects like milk or egg, even when your fridge incorporates an egg compartment on this zone (6). As an alternative, use the cabinets for (6):

Condiments

Nonperishable drinks

Sensible Storage Options to Forestall Meals Waste

Labeling and courting your meals containers may really feel like an additional step, however it’s tremendous useful for lowering waste and reminding you the order through which sure objects must be eaten (7).

By clearly marking what’s inside and when it was ready or bought, you understand what must be used first (7).

That brings me to the primary in, first out methodology. It includes organizing your meals in order that older objects are positioned on the entrance and newer objects are saved behind them (7). This prompts you to make use of the older meals earlier than you open one thing new, stopping objects from being forgotten and expiring (7).

One other system I take advantage of is grouping related objects collectively. The walnuts are saved subsequent to the cashews. All particular person yogurt containers go in the identical spot. Grouping objects like this allows you to shortly see what you could have readily available.

Regularly Requested Questions (FAQs)

What’s the best fridge temperature for meals security? The perfect fridge temperature is at or beneath 40°F (1). This vary retains perishable meals recent whereas slowing the expansion of dangerous micro organism that may trigger foodborne sickness (1). I take advantage of a fridge thermometer on a center shelf to verify it’s conserving the best temperature.

How typically ought to I clear my fridge and what cleansing merchandise ought to I take advantage of? Wipe down any spills as quickly as they occur utilizing both a dishcloth with gentle soapy water or a water and vinegar resolution (1). Exterior of that, there aren't any set guidelines, nevertheless, it is best to clear it frequently to push back smells and stop the expansion of micro organism (1).

How lengthy can I retailer leftovers? Many leftovers can sometimes be saved within the fridge for 3 to 4 days (7). Mark them once you get dwelling noting the date they must be eaten by (7).

What meals ought to by no means go within the fridge? Meals like tomatoes, potatoes, onions, garlic, and entire melons ought to by no means go within the fridge. The chilly can have an effect on their taste, texture, or ripening course of (8). As an alternative, retailer them in a cool, dry place for the very best quality. Bread is one other merchandise that's greatest to depart out of the fridge as a result of it stales sooner in there (8). You'll be able to retailer it on the counter or within the freezer (8). Additionally, don’t put honey within the fridge as a result of it could possibly kind crystals (8).

How do I stop leafy greens from wilting too shortly? Retailer them in a container lined with a paper towel to soak up extra moisture (9). Additionally, hold them within the crisper drawer of your fridge(5). For pre-washed greens, merely line the container with a dry paper towel to take care of freshness.

The Backside Line

Consider your fridge like a well-organized closet. When every thing has a delegated place, it’s simpler to search out what you want, put collectively meals effortlessly, and keep away from forgetting what you have already got.

Similar to a cluttered closet can result in forgotten outfits and last-minute purchases, a disorganized fridge could cause you to miss recent substances, resulting in meals waste and pointless takeout (7).

However with a number of easy techniques—like storing meals of their supreme zones, utilizing clear bins, and following the primary in, first out methodology—you possibly can create a fridge that works for you and your objectives (7).

With these storage methods, you’ll spend much less time looking and extra time having fun with simple, scrumptious meals, making it simpler to attain your weight reduction and wellness objectives.