top of page

How to Stretch Your Grocery Budget: Tips for Freezing

Content by: Sarah Bigbee, RD

Follow a few of these tips to get the most out of your shopping list. Discover a variety of foods that you can freeze for reducing waste!

💡 Features: Produce, Dairy, Save Money, Store, Supermarket, More for your Money
🏷 Tags: Download, Handout, Brochure

How to Stretch Your Grocery Budget: Tips for Freezing

Calculator

Share Item

PDF

Presentation

Author

🥛 Dairy
You can freeze milk by storing it in an airtight plastic container, leaving some room for the milk to expand.
● Keeps milk for about 3 months!
● Use within 7 days of thawing.
● This is very helpful for buying milk in bulk.

Freeze cheese either pre-shredded or, if it is a hard cheese, frozen in block form.
● The best freezing option for blocks of cheese are cheddar, parmesan and other hard cheeses.
● Shredded mozzarella freezes well.
● Plan to use frozen cheese for cooking, as the texture changes during the freezing and thawing process.

NOTE: Often the cheese becomes drier when frozen.

🥩 Meats
When freezing meats:
● Divide meat into the serving sizes that work best for your family.
● Wrap each serving individually in plastic wrap to keep air out.
● Label and date the meat, so you are easily able to pick out what you need.

To thaw meats:
● Use the microwave, refrigerator or cold water bath.

NOTE: Do not thaw meats on the counter or outside.

🥕 Vegetables
Freeze fresh vegetables by laying them flat on a tray and placing in the freezer. Once vegetables have frozen, store in an airtight container.
● Be sure to date and use your frozen veggies within 18 months.
● The texture may change for some of the veggies. Best if used in soups and stir frys.

🍓 Fruits
Freeze fresh fruit by laying them flat on a tray and freezing. After frozen, store in airtight containers.
● Be sure to date the container and use frozen fruits within 12 months.
● The texture may change with freezing, so it may be best to mix these fruits in smoothies or yogurt parfaits once thawed.

🥘 Leftovers
When freezing leftovers:
● Allow leftovers to cool first.
● Place leftovers in containers and layer them with plastic wrap before putting the lid on.
● Label and date your leftovers. It makes for easier use from the freezer.

When thawing:
● Place in the refrigerator a day or two before you plan to reheat them.
● In a pinch, reheat from frozen, if the container allows.

NOTE: Do not thaw on the counter top or outside.

Blood Pressure: A Survey

A brief survey to track progress in meeting blood pressure goals. Use it between appointments, or as discussion points.

Blood Pressure: A Survey

Exercising for Your Mood

How can exercise help the addiction process, and what can exercise do to promote positive mental health? Read below and review the slide show to find out!

Exercising for Your Mood

Integrative Approach to Health

As nutrition professionals, the question often arises related to complementary and alternative medicine approaches. This often includes nutrition supplements. Review a few helpful thoughts and tips in approaching the discussion.

Integrative Approach to Health

bottom of page