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How to stock your fridge like a pro!

Have you ever had to throw away food because it wilted, went moldy, or picked up bad smells from other food?

This is a very common problem - that happens even to the best of us! Over time it can be a big waste of both food and money.

But there's one way to minimise this: Stock your fridge better!

Here are some key points when it comes to stocking groceries in your fridge:

Temperature should be no higher than 3-4 decrees C (40 degrees F). Most modern fridges will have a digital thermometer displaying the inside temperature. If yours doesn't, buy a fridge thermometer and place it inside the fridge to keep an eye on the temperature.

Place fruits and vetegables in the crisper drawer at the bottom of the fridge. Most of these produce will do quite well stored in the original containers that you bought them in from the supermarket. If you are buying them from a farmer's market, ask the produce guy/gal how they store them to maximise freshness and shelf life;

Place meats and fish on the bottom shelf right above the crisper drawer. This area is the coldest part of the fridge (warm air rises, so the bottom of the fridge is colder than the top). Keep the meat/fish in their original containers but if you see any spillage, place them in a bowl or dish to contain any liquids that can cause cross-contamination;

Place dairy products towards the back of any of the other shelfs. The back of the fridge is also very cold, so dairy products will do very well there;

Keep eggs in their carton containers and not on the door shelf provided. Eggs tend to absorm moisture and odors from other foods, so keeping them in the carton container will prevent that;

Keep drinks/condiments/jars etc on the door. This is the warmest part of the fridge given that the door is open often and therefore receives less cold than the rest of the fridge. Drinks, condiments and jars will do well here.

Don't overcrowd your fridge. For food to be kept cold, there has to be good circulation of cold air throughout the fridge. If any part is overcrowded, then those foods will not be as cold as they should be.

With these simple tips, you can be sure that your groceries will last longer and stay fresher by the time you consume them!

Speaking of which, next up, I'll share some tips on how I prepare food on weekends to minimise prep time during the week. Stay tuned.

I'd love to hear from you. Tell me what you do to keep your groceries fresh. Leave your comments on my brand new Facebook page!