What should I be stocking up on during this season as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues?
Buying the right foods can not only help you feel better but also makes it a lot easier on you in the long run by helping you cut down on the number of trips to the store during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
If you’ve noticed you’re stocking up on groceries every couple of days and don’t understand why all the bags of chips, cans of soda and microwave dinners aren’t lasting as long as you anticipated. Don’t worry, we are here to guide you with what to buy and what to do to curb that appetite and make your groceries go the distance!
Our immune systems need constant nourishment and maintenance to fight off colds and viruses more than ever. We can’t control every outcome, but we can do our best to prevent sickness and weakness by strengthening our bodies and boost immune systems ahead of time.
Pantry must haves:
Canned and packaged goods are all great options for creating a base for fun meals. These items will also last up to a month or so and are often quick and easy to prepare.
Cereal, crackers, pasta, canned soup and rice are some staple products we should try and always keep as stock in our pantry. These are all also very standard items that can come in handy and keep us going.
- Pasta
- Crackers
- Low sugar cereals
- Beans (dried or canned)
- Grains (farro, couscous, quinoa, rice, etc.)
- Canned fruits
- Cooking sauces
- Trail mix
- Oatmeal
- Shelf-stable milks
- Jelly
- Sweet potatoes (yams)
- Tins of soup
- Teabags
- Coffee beans
- Spices and seasoning
Frozen Foods:
Frozen food is a great way to make sure you’re still getting plenty of nutrients during a potential long stay at home.
Stocking up on things like frozen fruits and veggies allows you to whip up colourful meals without worrying about the sell by date.
- Mixed Berries
- Frozen Yoghurt
- Frozen veg (for stir frying)
- Edamame beans
- Fish
- Meats
- Quinoa and rice blends
Food is Our Best Medicine.
Eating nutritious whole foods is without a doubt our best defense against illness.
By limiting junk/processed foods and sugars which can be difficult to digest and also play havoc with our energy levels and moods, try to absorb healthier nutrients to boost our immunity and our moods.
Healthy eating does not have to be boring or overwhelming – simply add more fruits and vegetables to meals and try to reduce the processed foods which fail to fill us up and cause bloating and breakouts.
What vitamins should we be taking?
It is important to take probiotics regularly as well as daily vitamins that you may not always be sourcing from your meals.
Vitamins to help with immunity include:
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D3
- Zinc
Daily Tips for Body & Mind:
Hydrate – by drinking water every couple of hours. It will cleanse your body of toxins, keep your skin clear, your mind alert and flush out anything in your system that could become problematic.
Get going – at least 30 mins of exercise a day.
Fresh air and sunlight – it will replenish your mental health being outside in the real world, even if it’s just sitting on the balcony or deck for ten minutes on a morning while you call a friend or catch up on some reading. When we’re working from home and living with constant air conditioning and central heating it’s easy to forget that your body craves vitamins and minerals from nature itself.
Digital rest – Give your eyes a break from that glaring light on your phone or computer and allow yourself a couple of hours without being online. This will benefit your mind and reduce stress and anxiety.
Sleep – is our best healer.
Now that we’re not commuting to the office as much or travelling into the city as often, we can use these bonus hours to set that alarm clock for a couple of hours longer rest. Don’t be afraid to have an evening of pampering or an afternoon nap. There’s no such thing as not having enough time. Make the time – as your body and mind should come before any diary commitment, especially to reboot your eyes, your mind and allow your body to physically heal.
How Much Sleep Should I Be Getting?
according to Web MD
Infants (ages 0-3 months) need 14-17 hours a day.
Infants (ages 4-11 months) need 12-15 hours a day
Toddlers ages 1-2 years) need about 11-14 hours a day.
Preschool children (ages 3-5) need 10-13 hours a day.
School-age children (ages 6-13) need 9-11 hours a day.
Teenagers (ages 14-17) need about 8-10 hours each day.
Most adults need 7 to 9 hours, although some people may need as few as 6 hours or as many as 10 hours of sleep each day.
Older adults (ages 65 and older) need 7-8 hours of sleep each day.
Women in the first 3 months of pregnancy need several more hours of sleep than usual.
Remember, we can’t prevent everything but taking simple steps to reduce risk can benefit us all when done as a daily pattern in our daily life:
- Drink lots of water
- Wash your hands often
- Sanitize areas using natural cleaners or disinfectants to keep germs at bay
Above all, remember to use your intuition and to trust your instincts when deciding for your family, your home and your peace of mind.