Image by Bruno /Germany from Pixabay
By Elizabeth Meyer, RD, LRD
Right now, our health seems to be the first thing on everyone’s mind. And if you aren’t concerned about your own health, chances are you have a loved one you are concerned for. Myself included. There are so many what ifs out there right now, one thing we can control (depending on grocery shopping) is our diet, the foods we’re choosing to eat.
For me, going to the grocery store has become so stressful. Prior to COVID a trip to the store didn’t bother me. Now it requires so much planning and sometimes, trouble shooting. I need to actually remember the list that I made – the struggle is real with me. I want to get in and out; and if they’re out of something I need, I have to punt and think of a plan B real quick. I’m not even going to go into how much more we’re spending on groceries right now – let’s just say it feels (and probably is) ridiculous.
To state the obvious, as a dietitian, I think choosing the right foods is beneficial to us in so many ways. But, can we boost our immune system with food? Can what we eat actually keep us healthy? Can we find those foods in the store right now?
The first foods that come to mind to boost immunity are fruits and veggies. Lots of vitamins (including a plethora of Vitamin C). We can’t argue this. Here’s our current issue: some fresh fruits and veggies don’t always last long in the fridge, so once they are gone, they may be gone for a week or two until you get back to the store. They are great when they last, but there’s no shame in the canned and frozen produce game. Have these on hand for when you run out! Frozen produce is picked at its peak – so it’s full of all that delicious nutrition. Also, focus on those fruits and veggies that tend to last a little longer – cabbage can last longer than lettuce, apples and oranges will last longer than your berries and bananas. Eat those foods first, then move on to our more shelf stable friends.
Nuts are a good addition to get some healthy fats and Vitamin E (grab some avocados for an additional Vitamin E boost). These should last on your shelf, they make a good snack on their own, but you could also add them to your yogurt, oatmeal, protein balls, or a salad.
These times are stressful enough, utilize what you have on hand, get creative and try your plan B if you need to. It might work out and become a family favorite.
Elizabeth Meyer is a licensed registered dietitian. Her posts appear monthly on OYT.