Healthy Grocery to Stock up on During the Second Wave of Covid-19

Use this shopping list of fresh, frozen, and dried food items to stock up for surviving the second lockdown due to the second wave of COVID-19.

The coronavirus pandemic taught us a lot about the need to prepare for an emergency. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, people are scrambling to stock up on essentials that will be needed to survive if there is a lockdown once again. We suggest you buy accordingly and refrain from over-buying. 

To prevent frequent trips to the grocery store, it will be helpful to have a stockpile of healthy food items which can be used to whip up quick and nutritious meals for you and your family.

10 Foods you must stock up on during the second wave of COVID-19 

#1 Whole grains 

Whole grains like oats, millets, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, no sugar muesli which are easy to cook and stay for a longer time. Whole grains are also rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. 

#2 Pulses and dals 

Pulses and dals also have a longer shelf life and provide protein to maintain energy levels and to prevent muscle breakdown. Mung dal is a dal that one should stock up as it is not only nutritious but easy to digest and can be easily boiled and added to soups, salads or made into healthy and nourishing khichdi!

#3 Dried fruits 

Dried fruits such as dates, figs, dried berries are perfect snack options. They also provide fibre and antioxidants to maintain immunity. 

#4 Nuts and seeds

Nuts and seeds are great for snacking or late night bingeing during the lockdown. Rich in healthy fats and fibre, these are also great for gut health. You can also add nuts in smoothies, salads, or munch as a snack. Nut milks can be used in place of dairy and stored in the fridge.

#5 Dairy 

Dairy food items like milk, curd, and paneer provide good quality protein and are important for immunity. We can choose shelf-stable Tetra Pak milk, as it has a longer shelf life. Paneer can be frozen and used as and when needed in curries, sandwiches, or stuffed rotis. 

#6 Frozen vegetables 

Frozen vegetables such as peas, carrots, corn can be stored and conveniently used to make sabjis if fresh vegetables are not readily available. Freezing veggies still retain most of their nutrient content. Choose frozen veggies without any added sauces. 

#7 Eggs 

Eggs can be stored easily and whipped up into any meal or snack. Eggs provide quality protein as well as vitamins and minerals to stay fit during the pandemic.

#8 Nut butters 

Nut butters such as peanut butter is a great shelf-stable protein source, especially for vegetarians and vegans. There are many ways to use it in both sweet and savory dishes, in smoothies, in dips or spread on a sandwich or a roti roll.

#9 Herbs and spices 

Superfoods such as ginger, garlic, tulsi leaves, curry leaves, turmeric and cinnamon. These are potent antibacterial, antiviral as well as anti- inflammatory, and that help the body combat infections. Use herbs and spices in the form of tea, spice powder, or add to soups, broths and curries. 

#10 Unpasteurised raw honey 

Many studies have demonstrated the broad-spectrum antimicrobial effect of honey as an antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antimycobacterial. Therefore, natural honey is a great addition to the pantry in this pandemic. Add honey to warm water or add to turmeric milk daily.

Conclusion

We should all try to limit our visits to the markets and local grocery stores as much as possible. And we can do this by preparing a careful list of all the foods you might need in the coming weeks. 

There are two criteria that you can apply while creating a list of foods:

1. Foods that have a high nutritional value

2. Foods that are non-perishable and last for at least 2-3 weeks 

Stay home, stay safe, and stay fit! 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)