1. Nuts

If you’re the kind of person who finishes off a bag of walnuts, cashews, or pistachios in the blink of an eye (like my mother and husband), it’s better to grab a handful and then leave the bag in the pantry.

However, the healthy fats in your delicious nuts will cause them to go bad shortly after opening the bag, so if you don’t want to eat rancid nuts, store them in the fridge (or freezer) immediately after opening a package.

The reason why they’re part of the items that don’t belong in your pantry is that they usually get bad sooner than expected. If you open the bag and forget about it, you’ll notice a softer texture and a moldy smell.

Seeds and dried fruit are the same, so keep them in the fridge in an airtight container, such as this one, to keep them tasty and fresh for as long as possible!