Coronavirus: Staying In? Here’s A List Of Things To Stock In Your Kitchen

1. Rice & Grains

Stock your pantry with rice and grain items such as wheat, oats, rice, mung beans, black gram and lentils. These are the perfect quarantine foods as you can cook it in bulk and use it for rice and curries in the week.

On the nutritional front, the combination of rice and grains provide you with protein, dietary fibre and energy [1][2]. Also, rice and grains will not perish easily and can be stored in airtight containers in a cool, dry pantry for up to 6 months or in the freezer for up to a year [3].

2. Vegetables

Buy root vegetables and hardy vegetables that will provide your daily necessary nutrients and also have a longer shelf time in comparisons to vegetables like tomato or cucumber. Potatoes, whole carrots, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and capsicum are some of the best choices [4].

Make sure you store the vegetables dry and away from sunlight. Keeping carrot and cauliflower in the fridge and potatoes out can make them last longer. Make sure the cauliflower is unwashed and uncut.

3. Fruits

Long-lasting fruits such as bananas, apples, grapefruit and oranges are the best options during this time. Not only are they some of the healthiest fruits, but these can also be made into a variety of dishes to avoid the quarantine gloominess.

Citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruits are rich in vitamin C, which can help boost your immune system as well [5]. Add dried fruits such as dried figs or raisins to your quarantine food list.

4. Seeds & Nuts

Seeds, such as pumpkin seeds and chia seeds supply some protein as well as fibre [6]. Also almonds, apricot and cashew nuts too can be added for a protein-rich quarantine snack. You can add these nuts to your breakfast or add it to sautéed vegetables. The seeds and nuts can help boost the nutrition-intake as well.

5. Eggs

Do not hoard on eggs and buy that is only necessary for a week or two. While storing, store the eggs in the carton itself, as they will last for three weeks in that way [7].

6. Pasta

Stocking on pasta is a good option as these foods have a long shelf life and can be stored and used when necessary. You can buy gluten-free kinds of pasta for a healthy option.

Apart from the aforementioned types of foods, you can add the following too, to your list [8]:

Cheese (store in fridge)
Bread
Coffee/Tea
Salt, pepper and spices
Cooking oil and necessary condiments
Jam and sauces (store in fridge)
Milk powder
Cereals that are whole grain and low-added sugar

On A Final Note…

While shopping please be aware that there are other people who are also in need. Buy what is only necessary and also food that will last for an extended period of time (about two weeks). DO NOT hoard perishables such as fruits and vegetables. Be compassionate during a time like this.

This too shall pass.