I was browsing the internet the other day when one of the teenagers in my neighborhood shared a meme that said : “Fruits and vegetables sure do go bad faster when you’re the one paying for them,” and I related to it on a personal level. I don’t know what it is, but food does seem to expire faster when you’re the one paying for it! While most fruits and veggies have a shelf life of about a week, there are foods that can expire a LOT faster. Keep reading to see what they are, so you don’t end up with an especially stinky fridge!
Shredded Cheese
Believe it or not, blocked cheese grows mold at a slower rate than shredded cheese. While blocked cheese can sometimes last for upwards of two weeks, shredded cheese has only a shelf life of about a week. Save cheese by only shredding what you need for individual recipes.
Herbs
It’s such a bummer that herbs spoil so quickly! They’re so expensive and have a bad habit of only lasting around three days, depending on the variety. Wrap them in paper towels and store them in a Ziploc bag for longer shelf life.
Salad Greens
Like herbs, salad greens and winter greens will only last for a few days in the fridge before they grow limp and wilted. However, you can make them last as long as a week if you wrap them in paper towels and store these too in a Ziploc bag.
Fresh Broccoli
I swear broccoli starts to smell overnight! I leave the fridge smelling fine and then open it the next morning to that horrible stench of rotting veggies! For longer preservation, store broccoli by itself in an open container to prevent mold growth. Use it before 10 days.
Hummus
Hummus (yes, even store bought) should only be kept for 3-4 days after opening. Only keep hummus in an air tight container!
Cooked Grains (These Breed Bacteria Growth!)
Though it might look okay to eat a few days down the road, remember that cooked grains expire fast! Toss leftover rice and pasta after just three days, and ALWAYS throw out the grains that have been sitting at room temperature for longer than two hours.
Fish
Fresh fish should always be eaten within two days and should be kept on a bed of ice to prevent the spread and growth of bacteria. I always recommend discarding leftover fish immediately after dinner is over, but that’s purely because I don’t like leftover seafood. Feel free to keep your leftovers, just as long as you eat it the next day.
Deli Meat
Unless the package otherwise says, fresh deli meat (and even pre packaged) should be eaten or discarded within 3-5 days of opening. Store them in the coldest part of your fridge to discourage bacteria growth and remember that pregnant women should never eat deli meats.
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