Do These Items Belong In The Pantry Or Fridge? Decisions, Decisions

So, what’s your stance on keeping ketchup in the pantry after opening? What about maple syrup? And soy sauce? The pantry vs. fridge debate is a surprisingly touchy topic. That’s because most of us have a routine of putting certain things in the pantry, while other things belong in the fridge (duh!).

And while it may seem obvious to you which items belong where, there’s a chance that you’ve been keeping your nut butter in the wrong place all along (gasp!). Well, not the wrong place per se, but certain items last longer, stay fresher and taste better when kept in the fridge instead of the pantry.

But the opposite can be true, too. For instance, did you know that the following foods have better flavor sans refrigeration?

·         Whole melons (watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew)

·         Potatoes

·         Honey

·         Coffee beans or ground coffee

·         Tomatoes

·         Whole onions

·         Garlic cloves

·         Hot sauce

·         Stone fruits (peaches, apricots, nectarines and plums)

While many of the following pantry staples can stay fresh for up to six months under ideal conditions—in a cool, dark pantry—that's not always realistic, especially during the hot Georgia summer. So after your next trip to the grocery store, you may want to consider making room for these items in your fridge:

·         Mustard and Horseradish (keep it tasting fresh)

·         All intact grains and whole grain flours (prevent spoiling)

o   Whole grains (aka: wheat berries, quinoa, brown rice, cornmeal and barley)

o   Whole wheat flour

o   Coconut flour and coconut flakes

o   Wheat germ, wheat bran and rice bran

o   Ground flaxseed

·         Ketchup (after opening and organic varieties)

·         Maple syrup (after opening)

·         Soy sauce (keep it tasting fresh)

·         Corn on the cob (keep it tasting fresh)

·         Ripe bananas (keep it from over-ripening—the skin will turn brown, though)

·         Citrus fruits (keep them up to 4 times longer)

·         Butter (keep it tasting fresh—can be out for 1 to 2 weeks)

·         Cooking oils: nut oil(s), sesame oil, safflower oil (keep it tasting fresh—they may turn cloudy, but will become clear again at room temperature)

·         Nut butters (organic varieties will separate/spoil after a few weeks)

·         Nuts (keep them tasting fresh for up to a year)

·         Dried fruit (keep it tasting fresh)

·         Fruit spread (keep it safe and tasting fresh)

·         Aloe Vera (keep it fresh—and it feels amazing when you put it on)

·         Eggs (keep it safe and tasting fresh)

·         Tortillas (keep it tasting fresh)

·         Champagne (keep it tasting fresh)

·         Vanilla (keep it tasting fresh)

Let's Chill (Certain foods that is).

Make sure to put your food in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag so it won't absorb any moisture or pick up odors from other foods while in the fridge. And periodically check the temperature inside your fridge—it should always be between 34 and 40 degrees.

For more ideas on how to maintain a healthy diet, GMC’s Nutrition & Weight Management experts can provide the resources you need to make better food choices. Start feeling your best today by setting up a nutrition consultation.