If you’re self-isolating, it’s hard to get nutrients into your diet when you can’t leave the house to buy fresh food. Yet help is at hand. Here are some tips to help maintain healthy eating while in self-isolation.
ASK FOR HELP FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS
They can’t come into contact with you, but that doesn’t mean they can’t give you a hand with maintaining your health during self-isolation. With online grocery shopping services under pressure, it will pay to ask family and friends to drop off fresh fruit and vegetables and lean sources of protein so you can keep up your intake of healthy food while you’re at home. Just make sure any deliveries are left outside your house for you to collect.
STOCK THE FREEZER
So that you don’t have to constantly call on your family and friends to provide you with fresh food, make sure you have a supply of frozen fruits and vegetables and other freezer-friendly ingredients that you can use to cook healthy meals each day.
MAKE SURE TO SHOP SMART
Not all non-perishable foods are created equal! It may be tempting to turn to 2-minute noodles, but try to stick with nutritious options such as canned fish, canned lentils and beans, canned vegetables, quinoa, brown rice, barley, bulgur, farro, rolled oats and whole wheat pasta.
EAT HEALTHY SNACKS
Be sure to have a supply of healthy, long-lasting snacks such as nuts, dark chocolate or air-popped and lightly-seasoned popcorn. Tinned tuna and salmon or frozen edamame will provide some good high-protein options.
TIME TO SPICE IT UP
Put those pantry staples to good use and boost your immunity at the same time. Cook using a healthy dose of spices such as ginger, turmeric, cayenne pepper, garlic and cinnamon to fight off viruses, infections and inflammation.
STEER CLEAR OF TAKEAWAY
It’s harder to eat well when you don’t know exactly what’s in your food. Resist the urge to have meals delivered to your door and instead cook meals using proteins, whole grains, fruits and vegetables and healthy fats.
