We use the fridge to keep food fresh and stop it from spoiling. However, not all foods should be refrigerated. Some foods can lose their taste, texture, or nutrients in the fridge. Also, many items in your fridge might seem convenient and tasty but can be bad for your health.

Regularly eating these foods can hurt your healthy lifestyle. So, it’s important to choose carefully what you store in your fridge. Here are ten things you should never store in the fridge.

1. Tomato

Tomatoes should not be stored in the fridge because the cold temperature can cause them to lose their flavor and become less juicy. Putting tomatoes in the fridge can stop them from ripening properly, which can change how they taste and feel in your mouth. Also, because of this, it can lose some of its healthy nutrients.

If tomatoes are underripe, you can store them on your windowsill to help them ripen. Also, when tomatoes are kept below 53.6 degrees, it can reduce the levels of compounds that give them their smell and taste. So it’s best to store tomatoes at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, to maintain their flavor and quality.

2. Onion

Don’t put onions in the fridge because the moisture can make them soft or moldy, and they might sprout too soon. Plus, they can make other foods in the fridge smell like onions. Keep them in a cool, dry place instead. It’s best to store onions in a cool, dry place like a pantry or a mesh bag.

3. Banana

Bananas release a gas that helps fruit ripen, so be careful where you put them. Storing bananas in the fridge can make them ripen more slowly and become less sweet. So, bananas should not be stored in the fridge because the cold temperature can cause the peel to darken and become mushy, while the fruit inside may not ripen properly. It’s best to store bananas at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, until they reach your desired level of ripeness.

4. Coffee

Coffee should not be stored in the fridge because it can absorb moisture and odors, which can affect its flavor. The moisture in the fridge can make water collect, which isn’t good for the flavor of ground or whole-bean coffee. Also, the cold fridge can make the oils in the coffee clump together, which makes it taste less flavorful. It’s best to store coffee in an airtight container in a cool, dark place to maintain its freshness and flavor.

5. Honey

Honey is a natural preservative and doesn’t need refrigeration. It should not be stored in the fridge because the cold temperature can cause it to crystallize and become grainy. Also, honey doesn’t need to be in the fridge because it doesn’t spoil easily. It’s best to store honey at room temperature in a tightly sealed container to maintain its texture and flavor.

6. Garlic

Garlic prefers cold weather and sprouts faster in the fridge. So garlic should not be stored in the fridge because it can become rubbery and start to sprout. The cold and moisture in the fridge can also cause it to mold. It’s best to store garlic in a cool, dry place with good airflow or in a ventilated space like a mesh bag, away from warm areas like stoves or sunny windows. To keep garlic fresh, buy firm cloves without sprouts or black spots.

7. Potatoes

Potatoes shouldn’t be stored in the fridge because the cold turns their starches into sugars, making them taste sweet and gritty. Also, the moisture in the fridge can make them soft and spoil faster. It’s best to keep potatoes in a cool, dark, and dry place like a pantry. This way, they stay fresh and firm longer.

8. Bread

Bread shouldn’t be kept in the fridge because it dries out and gets fast, old, dry, and not fresh. The cold makes it hard and not as tasty. It’s better to keep bread at room temperature to stay soft and fresh. If you need to store it longer, freeze it instead to keep it from drying out. If you need to store it for a longer time, freezing is a better option as it preserves the bread without making it dry.

9. Ginger

Ginger can get moldy in the fridge. Green mold, which can grow on ginger, produces a toxin called ochratoxin A. This toxin may cause kidney and liver problems and can weaken our immune system. It’s better to keep ginger in a cool, dry place to avoid these risks or freeze it if you need to keep it for a long time.

10. Cooked Rice

Cooked rice should not be stored in the fridge for too long because it can become a breeding ground for bacteria, especially if it’s not cooled and stored properly. This can increase the risk of food poisoning. It’s best to eat cooked rice within a day or two of cooking or to freeze it for longer storage.

How to store outside the fridge ?

In short here is the list of mentioned above food and how it should be stored outside the fridge

• Tomatoes: Store at room temperature until ripe, then use within a few days.
• Onions: Keep in a cool, dry place for up to a month.
• Potatoes: Store in a cool, dark place for 1-2 weeks.
• Bread: Keep at room temperature for a few days or freeze for longer storage.
• Bananas: Store at room temperature until ripe, then use within a few days.
• Garlic: Store in a cool, dry place for several months.
• Ginger: Store in a cool, dry place or freeze for longer storage.
• Honey: Store at room temperature indefinitely.
• Cooked Rice: Eat within a day or two of cooking or freeze for longer storage.

Key Points to remember:-

1. Separate Raw and Cooked Food: Keep raw food and cooked food in the fridge separate. Bacteria from raw food can get into cooked food, and if it’s not cooked well again, the bacteria can grow and make you sick. Always store raw food in sealed containers at the bottom of the fridge.
2. Check Expiry Dates: Check the dates on your food regularly and throw away anything that’s expired.
3. Keep Fridge Clean: Clean your fridge regularly to prevent the buildup of bacteria and odors.

By following all the above points, you can ensure that your food stays fresh and safe to eat.