Ever wondered if the milk, mayo, or eggs in your fridge are still good? When in doubt, throw it out! That’s the motto of noted nutritionist Tara Gidus Collingwood, an Orlando-based expert who keeps the Orlando Magic on the ball as the basketball team’s dietitian.

“Refrigerators are great, but they are not meant to store food and beverages for eternity,” she tells Newsmax Health.

“The storage time recommended for some things does come down to a food safety issue, but for others it is a quality issue. For example, bottles of unopened beer and open wine lose quality after a period of time. For other items, it’s more of a safety issue with rampant bacterial growth developing over time which increases your odds of getting sick.”

Gidus explains that many foods can remain good to eat long after the sell-by dates stamped on the label — as long as they are not opened.

“Once opened, things like soy sauce, spaghetti sauce, mayo and salsa have a surprisingly short life in the fridge,” she adds. “Don’t go by the date on the jar — that is the shelf life unopened in the pantry. Once opened, it is a matter of weeks for most foods and months for others to go bad.”

The bottom line: “Remember if it even looks bad or smells bad, toss it! It’s not worth saving money to get sick.”

Here are some surprising recommendations about a dozen refrigerated perishables:

1. Milk. America’s most popular dairy beverage will remain drinkable for about one week after the “sell by” date, assuming it has been continuously refrigerated at a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower — the ideal temperature for your fridge. Do not store it on the fridge door which is warmer than the rest of the refrigerator.

2. Yogurt. Just because it’s fermented, that doesn’t mean yogurt lasts indefinitely. Experts say it should be kept no longer than a week in the fridge. Buy a smaller quantity if needed or use it in sauces or over fruit and vegetables.

3. Mayonnaise. Unlike many other condiments, mayo doesn’t last for months and months. Once open, even if the “use by” date is months away, use it within two months.

4. Beer. Believe it or not, most mass-produced beers have a three-month shelf life. Microbrews vary. So if you have a few bottles kicking around in the fridge, drink up or use the brew in cooking.

5. Deli meats. This may be a no-brainer but experts say that deli meat and other meats should be consumed within three days for maximum taste and freshness. So rummage through your fridge and toss any leftovers that have been dallying for days.

6. Wine. Opened or leftover wine should be drunk within a couple of days as its quality diminishes with each passing day. You can also allow the wine to ferment into vinegar.

7. Cheese. Soft cheeses like Brie will last only a week once opened while hard cheeses like cheddar and Parmesan can last up to two months. Cheese ages best when it’s part of a big, airtight wheel. Once cut, it is exposed to oxygen and from that moment on, cheese loses moisture, especially in your fridge. Buy smaller quantities and, for the best storage, use specially made cheese wrapping paper instead of plastic.

8. Salsa. An open jar of salsa keeps only for a month or so. Best to get out the tortilla chips and start snacking.

9. Tomato sauce. An open jar of tomato sauce only lasts five days. Don’t wait for the mold to form.

10. Eggs. Regardless of the “sell-by date,” stamped on the carton, eggs can last a good five weeks beyond that. Store them in the back of the fridge, which is typically the coldest part of the appliance, to keep them fresher, longer.

11. Bacon. Once you open the package, bacon should be consumed within a week. While traditionally a breakfast staple, you can crumble cooked bacon into soups and on salads to give simple dishes more flair and flavor.

12. Soy sauce. This condiment doesn’t last as long as you’d think. It’s only good for about three months in the fridge after it’s been opened.