My daughter and some of her friends were scared that they were going to go to college in the fall and return home having gained the famous “freshman 15”. Today, I overheard her facetiming with her friends and they were afraid that they were gaining the “quarantine 15”.
You might feel that your nutritional needs have taken a back burner during these stressful and challenging days. You may have even given yourself a pass to sleep through your morning workout and you may have indulged a bit too much on the pasta or cookies and peanut butter that you stocked up on. Well, I am here to remind you that just because we are all in quarantine doesn’t mean we can lose track of our healthy lifestyle. Keeping your nutrition on point can help you sleep better, feel better, and stay in a better mood, not to mention help keep your immune system in fighting shape — all super important during this time of uncharted territory. Here are some easy ways you can keep your meals balanced, even if you’re stuck in the house for a couple of weeks (or longer).
Accept that your quarantine diet won’t be perfect- let go of the need for perfection or even near-perfection as it pertains to your diet right now. Stock up on your normal basics, and do the best you can. You may not be able to eat exactly the way you like but your body needs nourishment so fuel yourself with good healthy foods (even if it comes from a can or a box).
Challenge yourself in your own kitchen- look through your pantry and start using all of the ingredients you have stocked up on (but be sure to check the dates!). Remember those lentils you bought for a soup that you were going to make but never got around to? Well, now is the time to make soup. I discovered that coolest app called Supercook where you enter your ingredients and it makes a recipe for you!
Have a plan to tackle boredom and stress eating- to be fair, if there were ever a time to stress-eat, or eat out of boredom, it's now! Hold on as I am going to suggest that you “go for it”— as long as it’s a few times and not a habitual unhealthy coping mechanism. Foods that may not be the most optimal nutrition-wise are sometimes just good for the soul. In fact, research shows that eating a sugary treat like chocolate once in a while helps lift your spirits, while habitual sugar consumption may actually increase your risk for depression. But make no mistake, this is not to be done on a regular basis! Here are some things you can do to help manage your stress and fight boredom: meditate or pray, exercise, spend time outdoors (if you’re able to safely), keep a journal, play games with your kids or pets, start an art project, catch up on all the shows in your Netflix queue, clean out your closet, read a book or write one too!
Plan your meals- it's a great habit to get into, and it can help ensure that you’re strategically using the food you have. Your meals don’t have to be perfect, but try to plan each meal with a protein source (meat, eggs, or a vegetarian protein like tofu or peanut butter), a veggie (even if canned), and a starch (like sweet potato or whole grain bread). If you’re low carb or keto, skip the starch and double up on the veggies. Want some inspiration, check out my instagram story @livehealthynyc
Sticking to a routine of cooking and eating meals that are as healthy as possible given the circumstances and what we all have available will help your body in huge ways, keeping you feeling the best you can to tackle the coming days.
I am always here to help you stay healthy and well!