Food during the pandemic

With many of us at home, we have more time to search online for ideas. The tips, links below aren’t meant to be exhaustive. Stay healthy…and take a walk! ;)

My personal tips:

• Every time I grocery shop, I pick up some canned or frozen or other goods not requiring refrigeration or freezing.
• I enjoy stir-fries so when I see items available for preparing them – fresh cauliflower, zucchini, etc. – I pick them up knowing I can use canned goods at a later date if fresh items become harder to find. Remember to look at canned expiration dates and use accordingly.
• There are ‘fresh’ produce items that don’t need refrigeration such as potatoes, squash, onions. Again, pick them up for use later.
• Since we’re at home, practice mindful eating. Eat slowly and enjoy!
• I heard this tip on an NPR show: schedule a FaceTime get-together meal. Each person enjoying a meal at home but socializing online.
• If you are elderly or have a health condition, check to see if your grocery store is offering a special time for in-store shopping. Target and ShopRite is offering this in the morning.
• How to best handle food to protect yourself

Resources/links:

• Spend smart, eat Smart (Iowa State University)
• Food Hero (Oregon State University)
• SNAP-Ed recipes
• USDA resources
• Grocery ‘rules’ during lockdown
• 5 tips from chefs is a great reminder that cooking can be a stress reliever, and this may be the time to prepare recipes you have been wanting to try
• What 3 nutritionists recommend