How To Keep Your Food Fresher, for Longer

When you’re living a vegan lifestyle, it’s important to keep your food fresh for as long as possible. We’ve got some practical tips to help you do just that! 

It happens to us all: we’ve loaded the fridge and the pantry with healthy, delicious fresh produce. But, some of it starts to go bad before you get to it. Of course, it’s frustrating because you spent your money on it but it’s also a waste. No one wants to waste nourishing food. 

Having a stock of fresh food ensures you always have a variety of options to prepare delicious meals. However, this is only achievable if you take the right steps to maintain the freshness of your food. If you find your fruits, vegetables, and herbs spoiling quicker than expected, it might be time to investigate why and what you can do about it.

Invest in Real Storage

Exposure to air and moisture is the leading cause of food spoilage. Therefore, use airtight containers to store dry goods, leftovers, and other perishables. This prevents air and moisture from getting in, which can lead to spoilage. Opt for durable glass or BPA-free plastic containers that do not leach harmful chemicals into your food.

Use the Right Helpers

There are many additional products you can use to maintain the freshness of your produce. If you grow your own herbs and veggies, herb keepers can help preserve their freshness and prolong their life. For fresh fruits and vegetables, consider placing produce saver liners or packs in your fridge drawers to absorb ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening process of fruits and vegetables.

Take Good Care of Your Fridge

Many foods need to be kept cool to prevent quick spoilage. Ensure your fridge is set to the right temperature, below 40°F. Be mindful of issues that can affect its performance, such as when your refrigerator isn’t cooling but the freezer still works. Make the best use of your fridge by placing products in the right parts of the shelves, giving them enough space, and using freezer bags marked with the date they were stored to track how long they’ve been in there.

Maintain Good Habits

How you use your produce can also help maintain its freshness. Rotate your food items with a first-in, first-out system to ensure you’re using older products first, rather than letting them linger at the back of the fridge or pantry. Wash and handle fresh produce gently to avoid bruising, which can lead to faster spoilage.

Make Your Storage More Effective

While having the right storage spaces is important, maintaining them is crucial to keeping them effective. Avoid moisture buildup by storing items with some space between them. Also, let hot food cool down before placing it in the refrigerator to prevent raising the internal temperature and potentially spoiling other foods.

There is a lot you can do to enhance the longevity and freshness of your food. We hope that by keeping these tips in mind you could save yourself a lot of money and reduce waste!

Let us know in the comments if you have some effective tips and strategies for keeping your food fresh—we love to hear from you!