Grocery shopping amid COVID-19 pandemic
Over the past few weeks, you would have noticed that the supermarket shelves were wiped clean. Whilst it is important to make sure we have enough food for 2 weeks in the event that we need to self-quarantine, it is also important that we are only buying what we need, and not preventing others (particularly the more vulnerable members of our community) from being able to purchase the essentials.
To help you plan your shopping list, we have put together a list of some longer-lasting food products based on the 5 food groups that make up a healthy diet.
1. Fruit
- Fresh – apples, oranges and lemons tend to last the longest
- Frozen – e.g. berries, banana, mango
- Canned – e.g. peaches, pineapple, pear
- You could also freeze fresh fruit yourself!
2. Vegetables and legumes/beans
- Fresh – broccoli, carrot, potatoes, pumpkin, celery, onion and garlic are just some of the longer-lasting vegetables
- Frozen – e.g. peas, corn, carrot
- Canned – e.g. tomato, corn, beetroot, chickpeas, baked beans
3. Dairy & alternatives
- Long life milk (e.g. regular, skim, soy, almond) – make sure they are fortified with calcium
- Evaporated milk
- Hard cheeses
4. Grains/cereals
- Oats, rice, pasta, noodles, couscous, quinoa, barley
- You could also buy bread and keep it in the freezer to preserve it
5. Lean meats & alternatives
- Freezer options – e.g. fish fillets, chicken breast, lean beef mince, lean steak
- Canned options – e.g. tuna, salmon, chickpeas, lentils
- Nuts/seeds, eggs, tofu
It also won’t hurt to add a few discretionary foods you enjoy, such as chocolate or biscuits to enjoy with a cup of tea, but remember to stay active!
Tip: Make a few family-favourite meals meals in bulk to keep in the freezer! Some good freezable meals are bolognese sauce, chilli, soup and falafel patties.
