How to organize the refrigerator? This is what you should know

If there is a appliance which plays a key role in our lives, this title goes to the fridge . Thanks to it, it is possible to keep everyday foods that require refrigeration fresh, as well as to keep them for longer.

However, most of the time we take food out of the refrigerator almost automatically so we can cook. And then we open the door again, but to put away all the remains of a lunch or dinner.

Suddenly, without realizing it, there is no free space left inside the artifact: all the compartments are occupied by plates with salads that no one has eaten, cheeses that already taste bad, rotten fruit or yogurts with an expiration date approaching. In other words, food chaos where there is no separation between what is actually good to eat and what could cause health problems.

Although it can be boring to think about, cleaning and organizing the refrigerator – and making an effort to maintain that order over time – is a necessary step that everyone should do at some point.

For the nutritionist Javiera LagosRobert (@the.healthy ), this device is in itself a source of microorganisms, so by structuring it correctly, you can prevent food-borne illnesses (FAT), that is, poisoning or infections.

Having this appliance in order also encourages you to eat healthier, Lagos says. In short, visualizing it this way makes it easier to realize the foods we have available to cook in daily preparations.

Another reason is linked to the fact that the organization will help us reduce food waste, taking into account that there are products that accumulate at the bottom of the refrigerator until they can no longer be consumed.

“In this sense, it also makes the shopping list at the supermarket a little more user-friendly. There are times when you go back to buy food thinking that you don’t have it, simply because it wasn’t visible,” emphasizes the nutritionist.

The first step to embarking on the appliance’s organizing mission is to remove all the products that are on its shelves or drawers and start cleaning it.

“This is essential because there are always residues or dirt left from certain foods” said the nutritionist.

According to Centers for Disaster Control and Prevention (CDC), products should be placed on a table while this task is performed, but should not be refrigerated for more than two hours.

Shelves, drawers and all removable parts should be removed and hand washed, ideally with soap and water, then towel dried. The interior of the device must be cleaned with a cloth soaked in soap and water. Finally, all corners must be dried.

One measure to reinforce the above is to prepare a solution of one tablespoon of bleach in one gallon of water, then use it to disinfect the device, details the CDC.

Lagos emphasizes that what needs to be done after cleaning is to observe all the items that we have stored and identify those that are still in optimal consumption conditions, those that need to go in the trash, those that are on the point of expiring and finally those who. are not at their best, but they can be used in the short term.

“What proves very useful is to organize foods by expiration date, that is, to make more visible those which could expire soon. This also prevents wasting food or wasting money. assures the professional.

The structure of each refrigerator can be very variable, since currently the market offers models with fewer or more compartments. In any case, all products must be distributed in groups.

In the case where the appliance has four shelves, the nutritionist assures that the ideal is to favor canned foods and already cooked foods first, such as vegetables, legumes, rice, potatoes, among others. others. All must be in closed containers in order to store them properly.

“At the second level, it is best to put dairy products, such as yogurts, cheeses and milk,” explains Lagos.

On the other hand, the third shelf can be dedicated solely to raw products, whether meat, chicken or fish. It is necessary that these foods are also stored in safe containers, for example glass or stainless steel, to avoid contamination of other products present in the refrigerator.

As is customary in most homes, the last compartment – or drawer – should be used only for fruits and vegetables.

“It is recommended to leave food without bags, as it may contain residue or have a lot of moisture, creating a favorable environment for microorganisms. It’s also to prevent them from deteriorating,” explains Lagos.

And what about the refrigerator door?

As this area experiences constant temperature changes throughout the day, items that are not as dependent on a certain temperature to survive should be located. For the same reason, salad dressings, jams or drinks can go there.

Finally, the nutritionist points out that one of the most important rules is not to leave raw and cooked foods together, mainly due to cross contamination and health problems that could appear in consumers.

“Raw foods tend to leak juices and contaminate other foods. Failure to separate them properly can cause food poisoning, which results in discomfort, vomiting and diarrhea,” he explains.