Storing fresh food and meal prep

[modifieddesign]

Is it acceptable to chop up several days worth of fresh food, mix it all together, and then store it in a Rubbermaid container in the fridge for dishing out each morning?

Since I use only organic non-gmo food how long will it be good for? I'm assuming 3 or 4 days tops.

Tonight I gave it a shot and mixed up apple, peach, orange bell pepper, blueberries, sprouted seeds, pumpkin seed, almonds, and dried bananas (she won't touch fresh ones yet, I'm hoping she will try dry ones and then I can switch her over).

My plan is to stop by the local organic grocery store twice a week and pick up a few days worth of food. Varying items each time. (Yes, Wolf has finally convinced me to go fresh.)

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[Wolf]

I don't know of any reason that you can't do this. It might start to look a little of in a day or two because of oxidation so I would go more by texture and smell than by looks for determining if it is suitable for serving.

[modifieddesign]

Yeah I can't think of one either but I figured it was worth asking in case someone knew something about it I didn't. We do it for our own food and it's fine. I did wonder if the foods smells and juices would mix together too much and ruin the taste for her. But I doubt it.

[marie83]

Prepared fresh food declines in nutritional value much much faster than whole produce. That's just something to consider. I prep and freeze veggies in advance but do fruit on the day as my personal opinion is most fruits don't freeze well.

[ninaroo1216]

I make chop and freeze in ice trays, then bag it up. A cube is thawed for each bird daily. I add fruit fresh as needed every couple of days. We are always sprouting different beans, so a supply is always ready as needed. Grains are cooked every couple of days. I do add fresh produce to keep it interesting. Things like sweet potato get steamed/baked as needed.

I'm a vegetarian, imagine the horror, my husband is from Texas (beef country) So there is a lot of produce and fruit at our house. I do buy bird specific items only.

[liz]

I make a two day supply sometimes. Squeeze a little lemon juice on it to keep it looking fresh.

[modifieddesign]

Thanks for the input everyone.

Liz the lemon juice is a good idea. Thanks.

[marie83]

The lemon juice is cosmetic I would think. I don't think it helps retain nutrients. Does anyone know for sure?

[Wolf]

It reduces oxidation, so it is sort of like a preservative in function.

[liz]

You don't use straight lemon juice. Put a few drops with a tablespoon or so of water. Just enough to spread it through the veggies. I have been told that citric acid should be limited even though they do love citrus fruit.