How to Shop for Food and What to Cook During a Pandemic

So many canned fruits are so filled with sugar, they're hardly eating ‘healthy.” Mandarin oranges are one of the few that come in their own juice.

• Most citrus — lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, etc. — have Vitamin C and last about a month when stored in plastic bags in the refrigerator.
• Apples are great “to keep the doctor away” and they will last about a month in the refrigerator. If they start to go soft, you can always bake them (just cube them and bake them with just a bit of cinnamon) to eat on their own or add to oatmeal.
• Common brown coconuts will last about two months. Drink the juice. Eat the “meat” or bake with them.
• Frozen fruit is great to have on hand for smoothies or oatmeal toppings, among other uses. Be sure to confirm that “sugar” isn't on the ingredient list and you're all set. Berries are one of the lower-sugar fruits; bananas or grapes contain more sugar.
• Bananas can be peeled and frozen when they head toward “too” ripe. From there, use them in immunity-boosting smoothies.
• Apple sauce is another great “fruit” to stock during times like these. If you're trying to avoid the grocery store as much as possible right now, apple sauce will definitely come in handy. Just be sure to get a variety with no added sugar.

There are a lot of places to order lean proteins now through the mail if you don't want to buy them at your grocery store.

• Frozen seafood can make a quick and amazing meal. I bought “family- sized bags” of wild cod when it looked like we were going to have to isolate. The fish is extremely versatile for tacos or kid-friendly “fish sticks” and can be defrosted in five minutes in cold water
• Lean frozen chicken or turkey burgers can be great for family grilling or for a “make your own” burger bar. Get creative with toppings.
• Frozen turkey is another great option. I bought a whole turkey and some turkey breast “roasts.” Both can be made for dinner then sliced the next day for meat that's much fresher, yummier and healthier than deli counter meats that are packed with preservatives and sodium.
• Frozen chicken breasts. Looking to make a restaurant quality entrée? Check out my recipe for Chicken Pinwheels with Sundried Tomatoes & Goat Cheese below.
• Pork tenderloin is another really versatile option and is often vacuum packed in the grocery store so it will last for weeks (until you open the package). Just be sure to check the dates on the packages.
• Lean ground beef is also an option for dishes like chili, burgers or meatloaf and is also often vacuum-sealed so it will last at least a week (I bought one package that is dated three weeks out). Check dates and plan to eat your purchases accordingly.
• Canned chicken, tuna or salmon with no salt added are excellent options. Though I prefer the taste of “fresh” or even frozen over canned, if you truly want to steer clear of a grocery store for a month (or more), this is a way to go. Look for tuna that is reduced fat, with no salt added.
• Egg whites (in cartons) and eggs, when purchased fresh, will last for weeks also. Get a few dozen eggs for morning omelets or yummy scrambles, but also to hard boil. Hardboiled eggs or egg whites are so great as a lean snack!
• * Vegetarian proteins like tofu and tempeh are also great things that last for weeks before being opened.

• Plain Greek yogurt is a refrigerator staple as far as I'm concerned. Use it to make a parfait for dessert with fresh fruit and high fiber cereal, as a lean alternative to sour cream on a baked potato creation (See my recipe below for South-of-the-Border Loaded Sweet Potato) or to lighten up a mayo-based salad or sauce.
  
• Milk and/or nondairy milk can last up to a couple of months before being opened (it will last about a week once opened). Be sure to check expiration dates as you shop.
• Sliced or shredded cheeses can be great to add here and there. Just be sure not to overdo it, as many cheeses contain high amounts of saturated fats. Opt for reduced-fat or light varieties.
• Light string cheese is a great snacking option. It contains protein and is filling.
• Goat cheese adds tons of flavor so you can use just a little bit. Add a bit of fresh or dried tarragon to some eggs and make a goat cheese and herb omelet that is quite delicious. Or try my recipe below for Chicken Pinwheels with Sundried Tomatoes & Goat Cheese.
• Jarred Parmesan is definitely worth picking up, especially if you can find a natural one. Though the fresh ones in the refrigerator section tend to last a month even after they are open, the jarred ones will last longer.
• Cottage cheese is great for snacking if you happen to be one who loves it. There's a reason it was on every diet plan in the ‘70s and ‘80s!
• Ricotta cheese. Get a few small containers, as you're likely to find them dated a couple of months out (once opened, they only last about a week.) If you're a big ricotta fan, check out my recipe for Penne and Asparagus with Ricotta Cheese below. It's a very simple, light, yet comfort food-esque dish.

When it comes to breads and grains, opt for whole grains over white products, as always. And if you're living with diabetes, try not to overdo it on breads or grains. It's best to store any breads or bread products that you won't be using within a few days in your freezer.

• Sandwich bread. When buying bread for sandwiches, consider opting for a sprouted grain one. If not that, just get a whole wheat one without a lot of preservatives.
  
• Tortillas are great for so many dishes and generally freeze very well. I keep corn tortillas on hand (try to find one that has only corn, lime and salt in the ingredient list) for tacos and enchiladas. I also make “thin crust pizza” on things like wheat, spelt, chickpea or almond flour tortillas.
• Quinoa is a great grain to have on hand; it also has protein.
• Brown rice is also one that we should consider grabbing over white rice. I prefer short grain brown rice over medium or long grain. It has a nuttier taste and texture, though nutritionally, they're all equal.
• Rolled oats are great not only for oatmeals and overnight oats but I also use oats in place of bread crumbs in meatballs and meatloafs. They provide the same bulk but with added fiber.

There are so many options these days when it comes to nuts and nut butters. Be sure to purchase nuts that don't have added oils. They put them in there to add weight. Nuts that are “dry roasted” actually taste better. And, especially now when we're all eating more salt than usual, packed into our “convenience” and canned foods, best to get salt-free nuts.

• Pistachios are my favorite nut to recommend for a couple of reasons: 1. They have more fiber than other nuts. 2. If you buy them in the shells, you have “evidence” of how many you've eaten. Because nuts are so high in calories, you never want to overdo it
• Almonds and walnuts are both great for adding healthy crunch.
• Almond butter is healthier than peanut butter. Buy one that has no other ingredient on the label.
• Sunflower nut butter is another great, healthier alternative to peanut butter.

Obviously we need flavor in our food, especially when we're looking at months of being at home. You want to make sure you have plenty of spices, seasonings, etc. Below are some common ones you might want to consider.

Jarred marinara sauce (or jarred tomatoes). Opt for lower or no sodium tomatoes and look at the labels of marinara sauce. Some have an exorbitant amount of sodium.

Jarred salsas. I love to have a few salsas on hand. Consider buying a fresh red one from the refrigerated section that will last a couple of weeks and then get a smoky one or tomatillo one in a jar. If you're a lover of Mexican fare, shop for the salsas according to the instructions in my “South-of-the-Border Sweet Potato” recipe below.

Jarred tapenade. My 2-year-old and I eat this on everything. From omelets to chicken breasts, we love it. Just be careful to read labels. We get one with roasted red peppers and vinegar in addition to the olives and olive oil so it's not insanely dense in calories.

Pesto sauce tends to be high in fat so I use just a little and add balsamic vinegar to it. It still makes a great pasta sauce that way and is easy to transform into a salad dressing or dipping sauce.

Hot sauces are great for some. If you love them, now is a good time to stock up.

Nacho cheese sauce can be such a wonderful enhancer if you find a natural one that is relatively low in calories .

Wing sauce. Look for a natural one that isn't crazy high in sodium. I love Wing Time.

BBQ sauce tends to have a lot of sugar, most of which is added. Be sure to read labels.

Low sodium or no sodium broths are great for making soups.

Mustard

Light mayo

Olive oils

Vinegars. I'm a huge fan of stocking plenty of flavored vinegars to make my own salad dressings.

Sesame oil

Spices are, needless to say, the best way to add flavor to dishes without adding a significant amount of calories. In addition to your favorite dried spices, I love to stock salt-free spice blends.

Dried chiles are also great to add flavor. I have numerous types at any given time

Frozen spices like basil and oregano can often be found in the freezer section of grocery stores. They're great at times like these when fresh basil won't last long enough and dried just doesn't quite give the same fresh taste to your Italian favorites.

Light salad dressings (if you don't want to make your own). I really like the yogurt-based dressings found in the refrigerator section these days. You should be able to find at least one that will last for two months.

While it's much better to snack on veggies (maybe with a super lean dip) and berries, green juices, etc, we all have cravings. I like to tuck my snacks in a high cabinet where it requires a bit of effort for me to get them. Some items you might consider (in addition to nuts, as listed above) to eat in moderation:

• Dark chocolate is best for you when it has a high chocolate concentration; 80 percent dark is a great choice.
• Popcorn is filling and has fiber, so it's a healthy pick as long as it doesn't have too much butter or salt.
• Cacao or cocoa powder is perfect for those who love chocolate as much as I do. I add it to oatmeal/overnight oats, to coffee drinks that are way healthier than the iced ones at coffee shops and to protein smoothies.
• Brown rice cakes are great topped with almond butter and banana slices.
• Whole grain crackers can be great if eaten with cottage cheese or tuna as a snack.
• Flavored teas often keep me from overeating. I drink fruity tea during the day.
• Zero calorie sweetener. I have a big sweet tooth, so I always stock a zero calorie natural sweetener (such as stevia or monk fruit sweetener) to add to iced tea, iced coffee drinks and sometimes fruit-based desserts.
• Protein powder helps if you're having trouble finding enough lean protein or are accustomed to consuming it to support your workouts.