As people around the world continue to practice social distancing in an attempt to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, many who are stuck at home are concerned about maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Christopher Barrett, Clinical Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist at Hartford HealthCare’s Bone & Joint Institute, offers some easy steps to help cope with this new way of living.
“Our lives have been significantly impacted by the coronavirus,” Barrett said, “and we now find that many of our normal routines are altered. For example, many of us will be working from home to reduce the spread of the virus. However, we are fortunate that we still have electrical power and ability to prepare cooked meals for ourselves and our families.
“With many grocery stores having restricted selections as well our overall trips to the grocery store reduced. It is important to purchase items that will provide high-quality nutrition to deliver your immune system with the building block it needs!”
Purchase Frozen Fruit and Vegetables
Nothing is worse than seeing a whole pint of strawberries go bad in the back of your refrigerator. Purchasing frozen vegetables and fruit will be cheaper and will last longer. (If you do purchase fresh fruit and vegetables during the coronavirus crisis, here’s how to clean them.)
- Fresh Fruit Tip: A fresh pint of strawberries you can cut them up and place them in a freezer bag and store in the freezer for a few months!
Refrigerator Tip
Place those quick-to-spoil foods at eye level – making them more convenient to eat. More convenient = consumed more frequently.
Cooking Tip
Microwave the vegetables for 2-5 minutes (depending on the power of your microwave). If you’re looking for that crispy texture, lay them out on a sheet pan and put in the oven at 375 F degrees for about 15-20 minutes and enjoy
Hand Hygiene
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.
This is especially important when you are preparing a meal. Any time you are preparing a meal that will not be cooked (like salad), it is vital that you wash your hands. It is also important to wash your hands after you touch uncooked meat (like chicken or beef) that will be cooked. If you return to preparing the salad after touching the uncooked chicken, this is called cross-contamination. It can cause food poison. Just another reason to wash your hands!
Extra Credit: Ensure you are getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep at night.
Not feeling well? Call your healthcare provider for guidance and try to avoid going directly to an emergency department or urgent care center, as this could increase the chances of the disease spreading.
Click here to schedule a virtual visit with a Hartford HealthCare-GoHealth Urgent care doctor.
Stay with Hartford HealthCare for everything you need to know about the coronavirus threat. Click here for information updated daily.
Questions? Call our 24-hour hotline (860.972.8100 or, toll-free, 833.621.0600).
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