Foods You shouldn’t Refrigerate: Expert Advice
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We all know refrigeration helps keep food fresh and safe, but some ingredients actually fare better outside the fridge. A leading nutritionist reveals five common kitchen staples that should never see the inside of your refrigerator, offering valuable insights into food safety and preservation.
onions, garlic, potatoes, bananas, and ginger.”>
According to a recent video by Jhanvi Sanghvi, a clinical nutritionist with over 11,000 Instagram followers, refrigerating certain foods can lead to undesirable consequences, ranging from unpleasant taste changes to potential health risks. Her advice highlights the importance of proper food storage for optimal quality and safety.
Onions: Mold’s Best Friend
Sanghvi warns against refrigerating onions. “Storing them in the refrigerator can cause mold to grow,” she explains. The high moisture content in onions creates the perfect breeding ground for fungal spores, potentially leading to vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. Instead, keep onions in a cool, dark, and dry place like a pantry.
Garlic, Potatoes, and More: Unexpected Risks
similar risks apply to garlic. Refrigeration can cause sprouting, a bitter taste, and mold growth. For potatoes, the cold temperatures convert starch to sugar, resulting in a sweeter, rougher texture. Cooking these altered potatoes at high temperatures may even produce acrylamide, a substance previously linked to cancer concerns. Sanghvi notes, “Scientists have previously warned that leaving raw potatoes in the refrigerator may pose a cancer risk.”
Bananas also suffer from refrigeration. The low temperatures disrupt the ripening process,leading to browning and a mushy texture. ginger loses its freshness and flavor when refrigerated, rendering it less desirable for cooking.
Safe Food Storage Practices
While these five items benefit from room temperature storage, proper refrigeration remains crucial for many other foods to prevent bacterial growth and foodborne illnesses. Consult the USDA’s food safety guidelines for detailed details on safe storage temperatures and durations.[[1]] Remember, maintaining a clean refrigerator and practicing good hygiene are also essential for preventing food poisoning. [[2]] [[3]]
By following these simple tips, you can ensure your food remains safe, delicious, and at its peak quality.
Foods You Shouldn’t Refrigerate: Expert Advice
Many of us instinctively reach for teh refrigerator to store all our produce, but some ingredients actually thrive better at room temperature. World Today News spoke to registered dietitian Amelia Davis to shed light on which common kitchen staples should stay out of the cold and why.
The Case Against Refrigerating Onions
WTN: amelia, you mentioned avoiding refrigeration for onions. Can you explain why?
Amelia davis: Absolutely! Onions are naturally high in moisture, and cold temperatures can actually promote mold growth. This is because mold spores thrive in the humid habitat that forms inside refrigerators.
WTN:
That’s surprising! What’s the best way to store them then?
Amelia Davis: It’s best to keep onions in a cool, dark, and dry place, like a pantry or a hanging basket. This helps maintain their texture and flavor and prevents mold.
Garlic, Potatoes, & More: Unexpected Risks
WTN:
Our article also mentions garlic and potatoes. Are they also best kept out of the refrigerator?
Amelia Davis: Yes. Refrigeration can cause garlic to sprout, develop a bitter taste, and even become moldy. For potatoes, cold temperatures convert their starch to sugar, leading to a sweeter, texture; they can even produce acrylamide when cooked at high temperatures, a compound previously linked to cancer concerns.
WTN:
That’s concerning! What about bananas and ginger? We’ve heard they don’t fare well in the fridge either.
Amelia Davis: You’re right. Refrigeration can disrupt the ripening process in bananas, leading to browning and a mushy texture. Ginger loses its freshness and flavour when refrigerated, making it less desirable for cooking.
It’s always best to store these items at room temperature.
Safe Food Storage Practices: Finding the Balance
WTN: So, while these five items are exceptions, refrigeration is still crucial for many other foods. Any tips for safe food storage?
Amelia Davis: Definitely. Proper refrigeration is crucial for preventing bacterial growth and foodborne illnesses. Always check the USDA’s food safety guidelines for specific storage temperatures and durations.
along with storing foods correctly, remember to keep your refrigerator clean by regularly wiping down shelves and bins. Good hygiene practices like washing your hands before handling food are also essential for preventing food poisoning.
