If healthy eating is one of your New Year’s Resolutions, maximizing your fridge space can be a big step in helping you reach your goal. Take a bit of time to bring the contents of your refrigerator in line with your resolution — you may even find yourself cooking at home or packing your lunch more often (added bonus: save money!) Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your refrigerator space:

The Few Basics

• the temperature should be kept at 40 degrees
• put less temperature-sensitive items like condiments, dressings and juice (not milk or eggs) in the door — it doesn’t stay as cold as the rest of the fridge
• store raw meat on the lowest solid shelf — if the packaging leaks, it won’t ruin the food below
• keep produce loosely covered — it spoils faster if wrapped up tightly
• clean the fridge out regularly (cooked leftovers last about 4 days; raw meats last one to two days)

Also:

• do NOT refrigerate: tomatoes, onions, potatoes, apples, pears, avocados, bananas, or kiwis
• DO refrigerate : leafy greens, cucumbers, bell peppers, asparagus, carrots, eggplant, oranges, broccoli and cauliflower

Get It In Order
There are three main components to having a resolution-friendly fridge:

1) It has healthy food in it (obviously)

• toss out any half-consumed containers of non-healthy stuff
• make a list then shop for:
• healthy things you know you will snack on
• ingredients for a couple of light meals to make at home
• healthy flavor enhancers: salsas, mustards, hot sauces, low cal / low fat ressings or marinades
• don’t forget the freezer: frozen berries for smoothies, frozen vegetables, frozen individualized portions of meat and fish; treats like frozen fruit bar

2) Healthy food is right in your sightline when you open the door:

• use clear plastic storage containers, so you can see what you’ve got
• reorganize every week before grocery shopping
• move to the front things you need to use up
• restock healthy favorites that are running low

3) Make it easy to eat that healthy food by making sous-chef-ing part of your grocery routine:

• cut up fruits and veggies for snacking
• cut up and store foods for use in recipes throughout the week
• set up a “snack center” with small portions of cheeses, lean meats, yogurts, etc. that are easy to grab and go

Don’t Forget the Door

Use this “in your face” space to help you stick to your resolution. One popular tip is to stick your grocery receipt there: seeing what you spent on all your healthy food will motivate you to eat it rather than let it go bad. Other suggestions include an inspirational quote, or a chart of your weight loss, or even just a YIELD sign — whatever works for you!