Do things really go out of date really quickly once opened?

kerri_gt

CRANKY40 wrote: »

There's two ways of dealing with the milk depending on your usage. If you have one or two hot drinks a day then buy a 1 pint carton and freeze it when you buy it. Once frozen, put it back in the fridge. It will defrost slowly, giving you enough milk for a couple of drinks a day and last for ages. If you use more than that - cereal, multiple drinks then it's worth buying a large carton of filtered milk. I'm currently using B.O.B. It lasts until we finish it and we use about 4-5 hot drinks worth a day.

You could also freeze milk in ice cube trays and defrost a cube or two when you need them for hot drinks.

Linda32

LillyLisa wrote: »

Like, I just used 2 wraps and have 6 left that need to be used within the next 24 hours... that's just not going to happen.. so am j really going to have to just throw them away? :eek:

We freeze ours. A sheet of greaseproof between each wrap (you re-use the greaseproof for the next packet) Take out one when you want one. They take about 2 minutes to defrost.

Rosemary7391

I found bread to be a problem so I have crispbreads like Ryvita instead - they last longer.

wort

I'm on my own and always buy a 4 pint milk, it lasts well, and I freeze the second bottle if I have to buy the offer to get it for a pound.
Bread a loaf lasts me a week. I have 2 slices a day , but you could split it and freeze a few slice for later in the week.
Things like sauces, once open in the fridge, I just look if they aren't mouldy I use them.
I also use cheese spread which according to the carton says use within 3 days. Mine lasts till its all gone, never had to throw away.
Veg is best bought loose if you can so just enough carrots or sprouts to use up. But even then I would use them up in soup or stew even when bendy.!

ben501

Mostly repeating what others have said, but I get a six pint carton of milk and it always lasts a full 7 days, and that's from the day I open it which may not be until 2 or 3 days after I buy it. Just check the carton when you buy it & make sure it's got a good date (10 days forward is often possible in bigger shops).

Juice, I buy a 2 litre carton and it's okay for the 14 days it takes me to use it.

Can't comment on the rest as I have a chest freezer so room for most stuff. (A great investment if you've got the space & money for one)

Bogof_Babe

Packs of cheese say "use within 3 days of opening" but we still use them 2-3 weeks later, and unless there is visible deterioration we don't worry. Sometimes the edges get a bit dried out so we cut them off. Packs of grated cheese do go off quicker unless really well re-sealed to keep the air out.

Also although it doesn't say freezable on blocks of cheese we have done so without any ill effects.

NineDeuce

Brexit promises certainly went out of date once the referendum result came in....

[Deleted User]

I don't eat bread although I used to I would freeze it if possible ,or buy smaller loafs Unless it in a humid kitchen it will normally keep, and goes dry and hard before it gets mouldy.
Cheese (I grew up with wartime rationing ) so we would cut of the mould and eat the cheese (rarely did it have time to get mould on it as the rations were very small anyway ) I am in my 70s now and my nose is my guide not a date on a packet I have eaten stuff thats out of date and survived There is no waste in my house and never has been.a best before date on an item doesn't mean its going to explode at two minutes past midnight on that day ,and neither will you
Use both your nose, and your common sense. You are doing well living on a budget (I have a grandson at Norwich in the same position ) and don't believe half of the rubbish written about dates Meat is obviously something you treat with care and storing it sensibly in the fridge or freezer will extend its life ,again use you nose. I don't use fresh milk as living alone I found I was not using as much as I had bought and switched to UHT milk a couple of years ago So far I have never had it go off and a carton does me for a week for drinks etc As I am a widow living alone a four pint jug would last for ever I am happy to have a 49p litre of UHT milk and cannot tell the difference at all. Good luck with your studies by the way and well done on looking after yourself so well.

JackieO xxx

Ilona

Short answer to your question, no they don't. I bought a load of yellow sticker food on Tuesday night, it went out of date at midnight. I will still be eating some of it a week, maybe two weeks later. The secret is to check the contents of your fridge twice daily, plan your meals by what needs eating first. As above has said, use your eyes, does it look mouldy - wilting- manky? Sniff it, is is whiffy, smell off? Touch it, is is squidgy, mushy?

Buy food with a longer date on, reach to the back of the shelving, chiller cabinet for the newer stuff at the back.

Ilona

Out,_Vile_Jelly

Trust your eyes and nose.

There is a major difference between "stuff that's not quite as nice as on the day you bought it" and "stuff that can make you unwell."

I saved loads of money by being a vegetarian when a student; look into going veggie for at least half the week as veg last much longer than the random date on the packaging.