At a time when a trip to the grocery store can be more stressful than ever, experts say it's never been more important to get the most out of what's already in your refrigerator.

Amy Keating is a nutritionist with Consumer Reports who says when you're stocking up, it's important to know what you can keep and for how long.

She says the only so-called expiration dates you should never violate for safety reasons are the ones on baby formula.

"All the other dates are related to quality, and not the safety of the food. So you should not think that once the date passes you cannot eat the food," says Keating.

Keating says in times like these, a freezer is your best friend. She says cooked foods will reheat fine, and you can even freeze fresh herbs and fruits as long as you're willing to get creative.

"You won't be able to bite into an apple in the same way you would have before it was frozen, but you can certainly bake it, you can put it in a smoothie," Keating says.

Consumer Reports recommends setting your refrigerator to 37 degrees for optimal shelf life.