02/07/2024 0 Comments
From your Friendly Neighborhood Nutritionist: How to Shop for 2 weeks during the Covid-19 Pandemic
From your Friendly Neighborhood Nutritionist: How to Shop for 2 weeks during the Covid-19 Pandemic
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From your Friendly Neighborhood Nutritionist: How to Shop for 2 weeks during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Our friendly neighborhood Nutritionist, Val, has written up some guidelines for all of us on how to shop for ourselves and our families during this time of stress and uncertainty.
"Stocking up for a 2 week stay at home is a good idea currently, but don’t panic buy and leave empty shelves for friends and neighbors. This is not a natural emergency that is expected to disrupt our food supplies. We are not losing power or water. You can still cook, use a fridge and freezer, and order out from restaurants if you choose. So, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, here is some recommended amounts of foods to store, using the Emergency Pantry Guide and adapting it to our current situation (no water or power loss):
Buy only what you normally enjoy consuming. It’s for 2 weeks only.
These guidelines cover the needs of 1 adult (>12 years old), for 14 days, about 2000 calories a day. Multiply this for the number of people in your household for your 2 week storage. For children <12, count them as ½ an adult.
Meat, beans, nuts: 77 ounces or 4.8 lbs total. (Maybe ¼ each: Fresh or frozen meats, dried beans, nuts or peanut butter, canned beans.)
Veggies: 168 ounces or 10.5 lbs total. (Maybe 1/3 each: Frozen veggies, canned veggies including tomato sauces/paste, fresh veggies- go for long lasting ones like onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, celery, peppers.)
Fruit: 168 ounces or 10.5 lbs total. (Maybe 1/3 each: Frozen fruit, canned fruit, fresh fruit- go for long lasting ones like apples and oranges.)
Milk: Equivalent of 42 cups or 2.6 gallons. (Maybe ¼ each: Fresh milk, powdered milk, canned evaporated milk, and cheese.)
*Remember- stores will be stocked and open. You may just want to plan a quick trip for fresh milk, fruit, veggies after 1 week, or send someone if you’re on quarantine.
Grains: 84 ounces or 5.25 lbs total. (Maybe 20% each: Breads, rice/oats/quinoa, pasta, cereals/crackers)
Treats: As needed- comfort foods are necessary too, especially for the kiddos: maybe a bag each of cookies and candy.
Water: I don't buy any. I drink my tap water. If I wasn't able to, a filter for my tap or a pitcher filter would work.
Toilet paper: One person needs 2 rolls per week, so one 4 pack. Same with paper towels, 4 rolls.
Other: Coffee, tea. Baking supplies like sugar or salt, spices, condiments like ketchup, salad dressing. Pet foods and supplies, medications, baby formula, other groceries (personal hygiene, cleaning supplies, etc.)."
Thank you to Val for contributing these words of wisdom and helping us plan rather than panic during this time of uncertainty in our lives.
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