Now that school will be starting back up, this is a good time to makeover your fridge to encourage healthy after school eating for the kids, as well as healthy eating for the whole family. Move your bite sized, colorful fruits and veggies out of the produce drawer and put them in clear containers on the shelves at eye level. Watch this video for more suggestions...
Video - Martha Stewart: Healthy Fridge Makeover
Here is a pic of my own fridge and a description of the layout:
Top shelf: has labeled containers of sliced, grilled meats and boiled eggs for everyone in my family to grab and make sandwiches, wraps, or just eat as is. Get creative - I used Thai red curry paste on the grilled chicken, fajita seasonings on the grilled beef, and Korean bbq seasonings on the grilled pork. We also keep leftovers on the top shelf, labeled with dates so we know when to discard or compost them.
Second shelf: has colorful, cut fruit and veggies which are great for snacking or adding as side items for the grilled meats. This makes it easy to "eat the rainbow" when you're on the go like my family always is. Plus, having sliced red bell pepper, cut broccoli, etc. on hand shortens prep time for dinner! Be sure to label them especially if you have similar looking items like cantaloupe and butternut squash.
"Meat" drawer: I store greens and herbs in the middle drawer, as well as other types of produce that we don't like to eat raw, such as eggplant. Ask any health inspector, and they will tell you that raw meats should be stored as low as possible in your fridge anyway to reduce the risk of contaminating other foods.
Third shelf: is the perfect size for condiments and spreads.
Bottom shelf: Since this shelf can hold the most weight, I keep pitchers of beverages here. We make our own pitcher drinks like iced fruit teas sweetened with honey, decaf Southern iced tea sweetened with agave nectar, and water infused with fruits like fresh raspberries. In the back is where I tuck away less frequently used condiments and jars that are too tall to fit on the shelf above.
Produce drawer: This is a great place to store grab-n-go drinks like single serve milks, protein shakes, sparkling fruit juices, etc.
Crisper drawer: This is generally one of the coldest spots in the fridge, so this is where I keep raw meats. Plus having meats at the bottom is more sanitary!
Every fridge is laid out differently, so find what works for you. But be sure to keep your fridge organized and clutter free so it becomes the place your family goes to for fresh snacks instead of the boxed and bagged stuff in the cabinets!
