I’m a Registered Dietitian and These Are My Best Tips for Organizing the Fridge and Pantry

Sure, color-coordinated and perfectly lined-up condiments are the stuff dreams are made of. But for most people (present company included), keeping my fridge looking like an Instagram post is simply not feasible. Between juggling work and home responsibilities, and trying to have some semblance of a social life, I simply don’t have the time to make my fridge and pantry look as good as I would like them to. 

As a registered dietitian, mother to a picky child, and a wife to an even pickier husband, I do encourage healthful eating and try to minimize food waste. And to keep those two goals in mind, there a few things I always do when I’m organizing my fridge and pantry. It might not be organized like a rainbow, but my system is purposeful. These are my very best tips.

Crisper drawers really do work to extend the shelf life of certain produce items. You just have to make sure you’re using them correctly. The general rule: Things that tend to rot (apples and pears) go in a drawer with a low-humidity setting and things that wilt (arugula, spinach, and herbs) go in a high-humidity drawer.

When I have time, I like to wash, dry, and wrap my lettuce before I store it to help extend the shelf-life, allowing the leaves to get the most benefit from the humid environment in the fridge. Not all veggies need to go in the fridge, though: Keep space in your pantry for produce options that thrive in dark and dry environments. Potatoes and onions can do very well in the pantry instead of on your counter or in your fridge. 

I sometimes run out of space in my crisper drawer (I buy a lot of produce!). As a solution, I invested in a Home Edit Berry Bin, which allows for a similar environment that berries would have had in the drawer. Plus, these containers drain water, preventing berries from unwanted mold growth. 

To appease my snack-loving family, I stock a constant flow of dips (like hummus and guacamole). To encourage my family to opt for veggies as a dipping vessel, I pre-cut everything and store it all in bags. With pre-sliced, dip-friendly veggies in W&P Porter reusable storage bags stashed conveniently next to the dips, my family can grab their nutrient-dense snack with no prepping required. 

When I get home from the grocery store, I also like to cut my melons and store them in W&P Porter Seal Tight Bowls. Because there is a strip of transparent glass, my family can actually see what is in the container, making it much more appealing for them to eat it. 

No matter how your fridge is designed, it is always important to store your meats as low as possible in your fridge. Why? Raw meat juices can contain harmful bacteria, and the last thing I want to do is cross-contaminate other food in my fridge, should there be a leak. I always keep my meats as far away from other foods and as low in the fridge as possible. 

I am not one to limit my daughter’s snacking. I teach her how to honor hunger cues and that no foods are off-limits. To encourage her healthy eating journey, I always keep a variety of snacks that are placed within reach so she can help herself. In the fridge, I stock up on cheese sticks, drinkable yogurt, and refrigerated protein bars ready for her to grab. In the pantry, I repurposed a waste basket and filled it with crunchy snacks. Also within reach are applesauce, dried mangos, and other good-for-you snacks. More indulgent and “occasional” treats are stored higher in the fridge or pantry, as my family doesn’t eat them every day. 

My family loves pickles. But I don’t love how pickles stink up the fridge! To help minimize the stink, I keep my pickles far away from other foods that may absorb smells. In fact, I keep it next to the baking soda, potentially helping to soak up some of the garlic scent that I don’t want seeping into my leftovers. 

Keeping foods like pasta and cereal in airtight containers not only keeps things from going stale, but it also helps you keep an inventory of what you have and what you need. And when it comes to nuts, know that some varieties (such as walnuts) are happier in the freezer than in the pantry.

That new can of beans you just bought? It should go behind the other cans you already have. I sort things based on expiration dates and keep things that expire the soonest in the front. This way, I know that I’m using up whatever needs to be used up and I can minimize food waste.

What smart tips do you use to organize your fridge and pantry? Tell us in the comments below.