Around the world, people are being asked to stay home to stop the spread of COVID-19. It’s not easy to do – people need to go out to get food and often to go to work, and the way we eat has changed dramatically in the wake of the pandemic.
In the United States, the typical adult eats at a restaurant 6 times a week – that’s lunch out every work day and a meal out on Friday night. Now people are being asked to eat at home. So how can we stay fed and stay healthy under quarantine?
People Are Learning To Cook For The First Time
Across the world, people who once relied on takeout and restaurants for their meals are trying their hand at cooking with shelf-table ingredients. People who have always bought bread from the store are trying their hand at baking bread, and even experienced bread bakers are trying their hand at capturing and cultivating yeast.
For those who need a little help and direction, there are multiple websites across the internet that can give you recipes based on dietary needs, what you have on hand, or even popular recipes based on what everyone else is cooking.
If you have a random smattering of canned goods, you can search based on what you have and find recipes using just those ingredients.
It’s important to ensure you are getting the right combination of macronutrients when you make meals, especially during this health crisis. Make sure you are getting protein, lots of fruits and vegetables, and a small amount of carbohydrates with each meal.
Beans and rice are shelf stable and are a great base for many different recipes.
Takeout Is Still An Option
Just because you can’t go dine in a restaurant doesn’t mean you can’t still get a good meal from one. In most places carryout is still allowed as long as social distancing rules are followed.
If you are at particular risk, there are services like GrubHub, DoorDash, and UberEats that can pick up food and deliver it right to your door without any physical contact. In some cases delivery fees are being waived or reduced as a service to the community during this difficult time. Just be sure to tip your driver!
When you get carryout, it’s also important to tip the person bringing you your food as you would during dine-in service. They are taking a huge pay cut but are still working so that you don’t have to cook every meal yourself.
There are always healthy options when you order out, no matter where you order from. Look for the same combination of macronutrients – protein, fruits and vegetables, and a small amount of carbohydrates to help your body break down and utilize everything.
Make Wise Choices
When you fill your grocery order or go to the store, it may be tempting to buy nothing but junk or comfort food. Resist the urge and make sure you are buying healthy ingredients.
If you have junk food on hand, you will probably eat junk food. But if you have healthy ingredients you are more likely to make good food.
Learn more about healthy eating under quarantine from the infographic below.