ReadOns.com | Discover New Blogs Daily

9 easy ways to keep food fresh longer

The cost of groceries keeps increasing, and every penny counts while shopping. This is also one of the reasons why people prefer buying food products in bulk. However, if these products are not stored correctly, they could get spoiled and, eventually, tossed in the trash. This problem, which can be easily avoided, leads to extra expenses and unnecessary wastage. So, here are a few ways to keep food fresh for a long time:

1. Learn which foods can be refrigerated
One may be tempted to put all perishable items in the refrigerator. However, this isn’t the best practice. Foods that spoil faster in the refrigerator include watermelon, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, honey, coffee, garlic, and bread. However, one can store jams, nut butter, tortillas, cooked foods, sprouts, and grapes in the fridge. Other items that should be refrigerated are berries, eggplants, apples, broccoli, celery, and leafy greens. If unsure whether a product needs to go in the refrigerator, one could check the product online or look for an answer online.

2. Store food at the right temperature
Storing food at an incorrect temperature can lead to spoilage. The temperature of the refrigerator section should be set at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, while the freezer temperature should be at 0 degrees. If the temperature gets any higher, foodborne bacteria could multiply. While refrigerators indicate the temperature, the reading is only sometimes reliable. So, one should get a freestanding thermometer for a precise temperature reading. The cooler the fridge temperature, the longer the food can go without spoiling.

3. Use see-through, airtight containers
To ensure food stays fresh inside the fridge, one must store it in transparent bags and containers that are reusable and airtight. Doing so will prevent the moisture in the air from reaching the food, preventing food contamination and spoilage. Moreover, one must avoid washing fresh fruits and vegetables before storing them in the refrigerator. The water content may add moisture to the produce, which could shorten its lifespan. Instead, one must wash fruits and veggies only before having them.

4. Use plastic wrap
Plastic wrap helps preserve food by creating an airtight seal around the dish holding the food, preventing bacteria growth and moisture loss. Using the wrap for leftovers before storing them in the refrigerator may significantly extend their shelf life. In addition, plastic wrap is transparent, which means one can easily see what’s inside without exposing the food to the exterior atmosphere.

5. Get frozen fruits and vegetables
Frozen fruits and vegetables can help make meal prep quicker. Besides offering the same nutritional value as their unfrozen counterparts, frozen fruits and veggies can be stored in ideal temperatures for as long as a year. To avoid exposing frozen produce to outside temperatures, one should split big batches of fruits and vegetables into smaller portions. This will help limit the number of times the bag is opened.

6. Keep bread covered
Bread is often left open on countertops, which is a common mistake. Many places inside the home can be damp and warm, encouraging mold growth. This is why leaving bread out in the open could make it moldy and spoiled faster. So, one should store bread in a bread box, a reusable airtight plastic bag, or a plastic wrap. If one is unlikely to finish the bread in a few days, they should freeze it. A bread roll could be stored in a freezer for up to three months, as opposed to just 7–14 days in the fridge.

7. Get the quantities right
It is easy to get carried away with grocery shopping, especially when trying to make the most of buy-one-get-one-free and half-price deals. However, this may make one buy more than they require. Consequently, one may not end up using the groceries in time, letting them expire and, eventually, thrown away. So, one must only buy in bulk if they are sure they can use all of it in time. Meal planning is an easy way to determine the amount of groceries the household needs. An item that freezes well, like meat, could stay fresh and frozen for longer, so one could consider buying such ingredients in bulk.

8. Repurpose food that is about to spoil
If some amount of produce is nearing its expiration date, one does not necessarily have to throw it away. Instead, one could blend veggies and fruits that are about to go bad and other ingredients to create a nutritious smoothie. Adding fresh produce, a spoonful of nut butter, and other ingredients could boost the flavor. One could also use carrots, onions, celery, or other vegetables to cook a warm and delicious stew.

9. Follow the 2-hour rule
If one cooks fresh food or has leftovers following a meal, one should not place the hot dish directly in the refrigerator. Hot food could allow bacteria to thrive and multiply. Nevertheless, one should let leftovers cool down for about 2 hours before placing them in the refrigerator. Further, some foods may require immediate refrigeration, so one should avoid exposing them to air and moisture outside the fridge for extended periods.

Popular Reads

Top 6 foods that may reduce dementia risk

Many individuals mistakenly believe that dementia is a disease, but it’s a term used to describe symptoms related to memory, social abilities, and thinking. These symptoms can be challenging to manage and can impact daily activities. However, healthcare professionals often recommend implementing a healthy meal plan as a way to improve management. If you’re interested in learning about how your food intake can reduce the risk of developing dementia, read on. What is dementia? As previously mentioned, dementia is not a specific disease. Instead, health conditions like Alzheimer’s disease are among its most frequent causes in older adults. Other known causes of dementia include damage to the blood vessels that supply nutrients to the brain, the formation of balloon-like proteins in the brain, and the breakdown of connections and nerve cells in the brain. While memory loss is one of its most recognizable signs, this symptom alone does not mean one has dementia. Most symptoms of this group of health issues can vary depending on the cause. Hence, here are some of the most common signs to look out for. Memory loss Difficulties while communicating Reasoning and problem-solving issues Poor control of movements and coordination Disorientation Confusion What are the foods that can help reduce the risk of dementia? Typically, dementia and Alzheimer’s are known to be caused by a combination of several factors, such as environmental, lifestyle, and genetic. Furthermore, developing issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease can contribute to cognitive decline in patients. Therefore, healthcare professionals suggest the consumption of nutrient-rich foods to reduce dementia risk as one grows older. Some of the foods that can be added to one’s meal plan are: Avocados Avocados are one of the most commonly known superfoods, which can provide the brain with the needed energy without a spike in blood sugar levels.

Avoid these 15 common shower mistakes

There is nothing a warm shower cannot resolve. Showering after a long day can be a stress reliever and enhance one’s mood instantly. It also has several other health benefits besides cleansing the body, including facilitating cold relief, boosting immunity, and relieving muscle pain. However, not bathing the right way can give rise to skin conditions such as rashes and eczema. Here are some common mistakes one should avoid while bathing and showering: Not moisturizing after a shower Wiping after a bath can reduce the body’s moisture, causing dry skin, which can lead to rashes and itching. Dermatologists recommend applying body lotion and moisturizer immediately after a shower to retain skin texture and prevent dryness. One should look for hypoallergenic moisturizers that do not have any added fragrances. Bathing in scorching hot water Scorching hot water can damage keratin cells in the skin’s outer layer. Consequently, the skin becomes dry and dehydrated. It is important to balance the water temperature before stepping into the shower. Ideally, the temperature of the water should be lukewarm. Using the wrong towel An absorbent towel that does not feel rough is ideal for wiping oneself after a shower. The most effective way to select the right towel is to check its density, measured in grams per square meter (GSM). Towels with GSMs between 400 and 550 are considered ideal for use after bathing. One should avoid towels below a GSM of 400, as these towels can be thin and rough, causing skin dryness. Moreover, towels made of superior-quality Egyptian or Turkish cotton are extremely soft and perfect for the skin. Soaping the arms and legs excessively While it is important to wash and clean one’s arms and legs, these areas typically do not collect much oil and dust. Hence, scrubbing them excessively can dry out these areas and hamper their natural texture.

15 signs of a weak immune system

The immune system is a complex network of organs, cells, and proteins that act as the body’s defense mechanism against diseases and infections. The system —the innate immune system that people are born with and the adaptive immune system, which develops due to exposure to toxins and microbes. Both parts work together to keep infection-causing germs and toxins. So, weak immunity can make the body susceptible to diseases and other health issues. High stress levels The American Psychological Association suggests that chronic stress weakens the immune system. This is because stress lowers the number of white blood cells (i.e., lymphocytes) in the body that fight infections, increasing the risk of infections such as the common cold. Persistent cold Most adults develop two to three colds per year, which usually last from 7 to 10 days. During this period, the immune system forms antibodies to fight the virus. However, if one keeps catching a cold or is dealing with common cold symptoms for a long time, it could be a sign of weak immunity. Slow-healing wounds When one develops a cut or a wound, the body immediately goes into damage control mode to stop any bleeding and regenerate skin. Immune cells in the body guide this process. However, when dealing with a weakened immune system, wounds take longer to heal. This can make one more susceptible to infections as well. Frequent infections Those with a lowered immunity are at a higher risk of contracting infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, bronchitis, and skin infections. They are also more likely to experience autoimmune disorders, organ inflammation, blood disorders such as anemia, and growth and developmental delays. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, some signs of weak immunity include: – Having more than four ear infections in a year – Developing pneumonia twice within a year – Dealing with chronic sinusitis or more than three episodes of bacterial sinusitis in a year Fatigue If one constantly feels tired despite getting enough sleep, it may be a sign of weak immunity.