Longer lasting foods – what does that mean exactly? Are there foods that last longer than others? And what’s the point of all this anyway? Well, if you want to declutter your kitchen, reduce food waste, save money and still eat a healthy diet, then you’ve come to the right place.
Why Long Lasting Foods Are Important
Foods that last a long time are important for a few reasons. Firstly, you might not be able to afford to buy fresh produce every week, so these long lasting foods are a great alternative. You could stock up on them when they’re on offer and keep them in your cupboards or freezers to be eaten at a later date.
Long lasting foods are also great if you like to plan ahead and prefer to buy food less frequently. You can shop for foods and stock up when they’re on sale and at their cheapest with certainty that they will still be safe to eat and tasty by the time you want to eat them.
You can use long lasting foods in your daily meals, or you can use them to make meals for future use, such as pre-cooking meals for the week ahead.
Lastly, long lasting foods are important because they reduce food waste. In an age where there are so many food charities and food banks, reducing food waste is a very important issue. Food waste is a problem in both the developed and developing world, costing billions of pounds and is bad for our environment.
Understanding Shelf Life and Expiration Dates
The best way to understand the difference between the shelf life of foods and their set expiration date is to keep in mind that food producers are likely to be cautious when setting expiry dates. In order to provide a ‘Best Before Date’ they will have conducted a number of tests that will have shown that, when stored correctly, by the expiry date the food will still be safe to eat and taste the same as when initially packed. They are however likely to err on the side of caution – they may state that a product has a shelf life of two years, but it may still be safely consumable after this date.
A Use By Date is the last date that the manufacturer can guarantee you’ll consume the product without any safety concerns. After that date, if you consume the product you might experience negative side effects, such as food poisoning.
A Best Before Date, on the other hand, is the length of time that a product retains its original organoleptic properties (such as flavour, aroma appearance). If you consume that product after the date on the package, it might not taste very good, but is unlikely to cause a health issue.
8 Food Products That Last A Long Time
- Nuts – Nuts have been around for ages and for good reason. They’re a great source of protein and fibre, and they’re packed with lots of vitamins and minerals. You can keep them fresh for a long time by storing them in an airtight container in the fridge. Nuts also freeze well, so if you have too many, you can always pop a few in the freezer and use them later.
- Flour – Yes, flour can last a long time! It’s a great thing to stock up on and keep in your cupboards if you’re a baker. You can store it in the freezer or in an airtight container and you can use it for years to come.
- Dried Beans – Beans are a great source of fibre and protein, and they’re full of vitamins and minerals. They’ll last a long time if you buy the dried version, and they’re quite cheap too. You can use them in soups and stews, and they’re very easy to prepare.
- Rice – Rice can last for years, so you’re definitely getting your money’s worth. It’s super versatile, so it’s a great staple food to keep in your cupboards. There are so many different varieties of rice, so you can try something new every day. You can also cook rice in many different ways, so it’s always a tasty meal. Rice is also great for your health and full of vitamins and minerals.
- Oats – Oats are another great staple food to keep in your cupboards. You can use them in different ways, and they’re super healthy too. Oats are a great source of fibre, which is great for your digestive system. They’re also high in protein, so they make the perfect meal for vegetarians, vegans, and people looking to lose weight.
- Canned fish – Canned fish such as tuna and salmon are great sources of protein and last a long time. You can keep them in your pantry or cupboard and use them in salads, sandwiches, and other meals. You can also use canned fish in stews and soups.
- Potatoes – Potatoes can last for months in a cool and dry place. They’re perfect for making mashed potatoes or potato wedges and are super cheap too.
- Onions – Onions are great for your health and last for a long time. You can chop them up and use them in many different meals, such as casseroles, stews, and soups.
Tips for Buying and Storing Your Food
- Buy in bulk – Buy as much as you can in bulk whenever you can. It’s cheaper and you can store it for a long time.
- Buy frozen food – Frozen produce lasts longer than fresh food. Many of the food items found on the frozen food aisle are picked and frozen at their peak ripeness, which means you can buy them fresh and store them for a long time. Frozen food can be defrosted and eaten whenever you like, so it’s great for meal planning.