How to Clean Out Your Kitchen to Make Room for a Food Haul

Cities all over the country are buckling down at home and practicing social distancing to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Being stuck in your house for any extended period of time often means a big stock up of food items. Of course, making room for a big food haul takes a little bit of prep work and some organization. To help you clean out your kitchen and make room for an incoming grocery haul, we’ve rounded up some helpful tips to keep in mind. You’ll feel great knowing that your kitchen is ready to be stocked with nutritious, diet-friendly items.

Our corporate Registered Dietitian weighed in to provide you with the top food items to stock up on during a quarantine. Once your kitchen is cleaned out and ready to be stocked, click the link below to get her shopping list:

Our Dietitian Weighs In: Foods to Stock Up on During Social Distancing

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Check out our step-by-step guide to clean out your kitchen for a food haul:

Step 1: Clear it Out

When making room for all of your healthy Nutrisystem foods or a large grocery haul, the best place to start is with a pantry, refrigerator and freezer clean out. Take everything that you have out and examine all of the expiration dates. You’re likely to find items which have been buried in the back that are already expired and need to be tossed. This can be difficult to do unless you truly take everything out and do it all at once.

Use the opportunity while foods are out of their original storage space to wipe down and sanitize shelves and drawers (Click here to learn how to really clean your refrigerator! >). Set aside any unhealthy items that you no longer include in your healthy meal plan to donate or giveaway. While you’re cleaning out the kitchen, consider spring cleaning the rest of your home. Find out how to spring clean your way to weight loss. >

Step 2: Get Organized

When returning foods to their original locations, it may help to put items close to expiration in the front so that they get used quicker. It could also help to make a “master pantry” or “master refrigerator or freezer” list that details all of the food you have on hand. This will ensure it gets eaten and you don’t buy more of something you already have in stock.

It’s also a great idea to think about better organizing these food storage spaces (Learn how an organized kitchen leads to weight loss! >). Try grouping “like items” together. This makes food easier to find and helps you to keep track of what you have. You might even consider purchasing shelves, baskets or containers to group these items together. For instance, healthy pantry snacks can be in a single bin that’s easy to grab off the shelf and peruse. Check out these 10 Brilliant Space-Saving Hacks for Your Kitchen. >

Being organized and prepared can help you to make better food choices. When healthy foods are hidden in the back of your food storage spaces, they tend to get ignored. Make them easy to find when hunger strikes so that you can make a healthy choice!

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Step 3: Give Back

As you clean out your food supplies, you might also come across items that you’re likely never going to eat. Whether your food preferences have changed or you’re just trying to lead a healthier lifestyle by eliminating certain food choices, you may end up with perfectly fine foods that are going to go to waste. Consider donating any non-expired food items to local shelters or food pantries for those who need them. You can also give them away to a family or friend in need.

For instance, perhaps you’re in the process of making “healthy swaps.” Instead of all that pasta you have sitting in your pantry, you might be opting for one of your perfectly portioned Nutrisystem frozen dinners like Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo. Don’t just toss that pasta away—make a meaningful donation. You’ll feel good about helping your local community and giving to those who are in need.

Stock up on healthy, nutritious meals that are delivered directly to your door. Get started with a Nutrisystem meal plan today >

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