Foods You Don’t Need to Refrigerate

Cold storage is a necessity for many foods, but the chilly air of the fridge can have a negative effect on some healthy favorites. Keep these foods at their best by keeping them out of the fridge.

But did you know, despite popular belief, refrigerating certain foods can actually change their flavour (not in a good way). This is not it. It can even reduce their nutritional quality, or accelerate the spoiling process. 

Keep reading to find out the food items you are never supposed to refrigerate. We bet some of these are sitting in your fridge right now!

1.Fruits like .... 

Avocado, apples, bananas, citrus fruits, berries, peaches, apricots, and nectarines should be stored out of the fridge. Refrigerating these fruits will result in loss of flavors and textures. However, you can refrigerate these fruits for 30 minutes prior to eating if you want a crisp bite. Store oranges, lemons, and limes at room temperature on your kitchen counter. Just be careful not to bunch them too closely, or they will tend to mold. Don't store an underripe avocado in the fridge, but an already ripe or cut avocado can be refrigerated.

2. Honey

You may think of honey the way you think of syrup, but there’s a lot of difference between the two. Believe it or not, honey is a natural antibiotic If it is kept in a tightly sealed container, even at room temperature, it will not go bad. This is because the bacteria and other microbes that would come to ‘spoil’ it would be unable to do so due to its antibacterial properties. In fact, due to its antibacterial properties, honey is one of the healthiest foods for the body, even presenting a better, safer option than processed sugars for diabetics.

3. Bread

Some people store their bread in the refrigerator to keep mold at bay. But storing bread in the fridge typically dries it out. (That might tempt you to use even more butter, mayo, or whatever you’re putting on your bread than you typically would.) To retain your loaf’s texture, keep bread at room temperature on the counter or in the pantry. If you bought more bread than you can use immediately, store the extra in the freezer, not the fridge.

4. Onion

You might be tempted to throw onions in the refrigerator right away, but contrary to popular opinion, they are just fine left out, provided you don’t keep them too close to potatoes. Overly cool conditions, like that of the fridge, can cause the onions to degrade faster, especially if there is moisture involved. Instead, keep whole onions in a dark cabinet or cupboard until you’re ready to use them. If you’re storing leftover onion that’s been cut, before you put it in the fridge, make sure it goes into a tightly sealed container to stay fresh as long as possible.

5.Tomato

Tomatoes lose their flavor and start becoming mushy when stored inside the fridge. In order to ripen the tomatoes faster, however, store them out of the fridge in a paper bag. Once ripe, they’ll last for about three days.

6. Garlic 

Refrigeration reduces the flavor of garlic and affects its lifespan as well. The refrigerated environment can actually cause mold to develop. Store garlic in a paper bag in a cool, dark spot. 

7. Potatoes

Stored inside a paper bag in a cool, dark place like your pantry, potatoes and sweet potatoes should last for about three weeks. Popping taters in the fridge will cause their starch to convert to sugar, resulting in spuds with an unpleasantly sweet taste, according to the United States Potato Board.

8. Bell & Hot Pepper

Peppers, one of the healthiest foods stop ripening once they’re placed in the fridge. If you prefer a sweeter-tasting pepper, keep them out of the cold; instead, store your veggies in a cool, well-ventilated place, like your kitchen counter.

9. Melons

Watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew are all filled to the brim with antioxidants like vitamin C, zeaxanthin, lycopene and beta-carotene which neutralizes cell-damaging free radicals. To preserve these health-protective nutrients, store melons whole—as opposed to sliced—on your kitchen counter. Chilly air will break down their delicate antioxidants.

10. Nuts & Dried Fruits

There's no need to refrigerate them. Nuts will be fine stored in a cool, dark spot.

Disclaimer

Claims on this blog have not been evaluated by the FDA. Information on this site is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We encourage you to do your own research. Seek the advice of a medical professional before making any changes to your lifestyle or diet.