Label and Date

"First in, first-out" is the fundamental rule of every kitchen. Labels and dates help you stay on track with your meal plan by letting you know when to eat what.

You'll also have a clear picture of what has to be eaten first if you fall behind on your original meal plan with an accurate date method. Food dating eliminates the guesswork and helps you avoid unpleasant surprises the next time you clean out your refrigerator. Place your foods in containers once they've all been cooked. Separator containers for main meals and side dishes might be useful, so you can grab and go, and label them by meal and date.