Healthy eating habits are always difficult to maintain. However, in self-isolation, people tend to eat unhealthy food, and more of it. As we adapt to our new lifestyle, we no longer eat the same foods.
Many people buy food with a long shelf life because it is cheaper and allows you to go to the store less. This so called “Panic Buying” is unhealthy because people are not buying fresh food, and they aren’t eating every food group.
So, is it worth it? Unfortunately, many people are fine eating unhealthy nowadays because they don’t want to risk getting the virus. This is understandable; however, you can still be in control of what you choose to buy. My family has decided that we don't want to risk our health for a trip to the store, so, we have started to online shop on sites like Target and Imperfect foods. These services deliver to your door and there is no contact involved. This is a great alternative to in person shopping.
Another way to get fresh food without leaving your house is by creating a garden. Having a garden is perfect for every household because it can be done indoors and outdoors. Some of the best vegetables to plant include peas and tomatoes.
When you do go to the store, make sure to choose foods that have long shelf lives and have a variety of nutrients and vitamins. Most nonperishable foods are high in sugar or sodium because they are chalked full of preservatives. Luckily, you don’t always have to eat fresh to eat healthy. Here are some of the heathiest foods to eat in quarantine with the longest shelf life.
Nuts
Nuts are a great “heart healthy” food that are high in protein and lower your levels of LDL cholesterol. They last many months, and they go nicely in trail mixes, salads, and granolas. I sometimes make trail mixes with cashews, almonds, raisins, and rice cereal. Unfortunately, nuts are high in calories so they can only be eaten in small amounts.
Dried Fruits
Dried fruit is a great way to get fiber and antioxidants and their shelf life is around one year. This is a great alternative to fresh fruit because it contains the same nutrients and benefits of a fresh piece of fruit. These go well in oatmeal, salads, trail mixes and as a stand-alone snack. Some of the best dried fruits include raisins, apricots, figs, and peaches. One problem with dried fruit, is that some packages have added sugar which makes it less healthy.
Beans
Beans are the best healthy quarantine food because they are high in protein and fiber and they contain no sodium. They are the cheapest item on this list and dried beans can last for up to three years. They go well in soups, salads, and hummus. Unlike dried beans, canned beans are high in sodium and they cost more. Some of the healthiest beans include chickpeas, black beans, lentils, pinto beans, and kidney beans. Often, dried bean packages have soup recipes on the back that makes a great meal.
It is important to continue your healthy eating habits as we adapt to the changes in our world. Although nowadays most things are beyond our control, we still have power over what we eat.
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