It’s never fun to reach into the fridge and find food that’s clearly past its “best by” date, but mushrooms are especially unappetizing past their prime. After all, few things turn the tummy like unexpectedly slimy substances.

Unfortunately, this particular produce has a short shelf life, making the slippery 'shroom problem pretty common. But there are specific practices that can prolong the life of your mushrooms, beginning with deciding which fungi to buy in the first place.

As a sustainably-minded, plant-based registered dietitian, Sharon Palmer, R.D.N., practices such mushroom preservation techniques. To shop and store your mushrooms like a pro, keep reading for Palmer’s 'shroom-saving secrets.

What to consider when buying mushrooms

While it can be tough to resist the allure of pre-sliced mushrooms, unless you plan on eating them ASAP, Palmer advises opting for whole mushrooms because they’ll last longer. “When you slice them, you increase the surface area exposed to light and air, causing the cells in the mushrooms to break down more rapidly, which reduces their shelf life,” she says.

Additionally, if you have the option of buying your mushrooms from a local grower, do it. “Many farmers’ markets offer mushrooms now, and they usually are freshly harvested and last longer,” Palmer says.

When selecting which specific 'shrooms to add to your basket, Palmer advises carefully inspecting them for brown spots, slime, and odor, which are all signs they might be starting to turn. “Healthy mushrooms should have a neutral, earthy scent,” she says.

How to store your mushrooms

To make them last longer, mushrooms should be kept in the refrigerator rather than the pantry. “As food deteriorates, nutrients are lost,” Palmer says, so keeping those stored 'shrooms cool will also help you get the most nutritional value out of them.

It’s best to store mushrooms in a fridge-safe container that breathes slightly, like a cloth or plastic bag, to cut back on moisture that can make mushrooms go bad more quickly. You may also want to choose a container made from transparent material, such as glass, so that it’s harder to forget about your fungi—especially since they need to be used fairly soon after you get them home. It can take several days for produce to make the from-farm-to-supermarket-shelf journey, which means the clock is ticking. “Typically, mushrooms will not be at their best for more than five days or so after purchase, depending on when they were harvested,” Palmer says.