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COVID-19 Nutrition: Coronavirus Home Eating Guide
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What To Eat When You Are Stuck At Home

preparing a home made pizza with peppers mushrooms tomatoes and cheese

 

Wondering about COVID-19 nutrition? The COVID-19 situation changed everything. Our family life, work life, home schooling situation, social life have all shifted. As employment security, financial situations and small business uncertainty have changed dramatically almost overnight our physical health, including our eating habits and physical activity patterns as well as mental health, are at risk.

While navigating uncertain times is certainly not easy, there are some things we can do to take care of ourselves, families and communities right now. Self-care starts with thinking about our new daily habits at home and what we can do to feed ourselves with healthy choices as best we can.

 

WATCH the interview on COVID-19 nutrition here on GLOBAL MORNING NEWS:

 

What changes are people experiencing when it comes to COVID-19 eating and food choices at the grocery store?

 

As all of us have been to the grocery store we’ve all seen the empty shelves as people are stocking up on food and in some cases hoarding large amounts of food. While having some extras on hand is good so that you don’t have to go to the store as often so we can do our part for public safety with social distancing, it is unnecessary to hoard food.

Buying an excessive amount of food isn’t a good idea as it can strain peoples finances that are already stretched thin or are uncertain right now. Buying an excessive amount of food can also lead to more food waste and considering approximately 58% of food produced in Canada is wasted we need to be mindful we are not purchasing more than we need. This isn’t just fresh foods that have a short shelf life. Packaged foods also have expiry dates you need to be mindful of.

 

What are some of the COVID-19 nutrition challenges that people are experiencing at home right now?

 

In our nutrition counseling practice we are supporting our clients entirelyvirtual right now as Online Dietitians/Nutritionist.

Here are 7 of the COVID-19 eating challenges we are seeing with our clients right now:

 

  1. Stress eating and emotional overeating to stuff uncomfortable emotions related to fear, sadness, boredom and anxiety.
  2. While anxiety and depression can cause overeating for some people it can also do the opposite for others where food (especially healthy choices) are not appealing and simply not enough food is taken in.
  3. A rise in eating disorder behaviors such as restricting, bingeing and purging due to mental health and also reduced access to health care providers that are not working virtually for support.
  4. Increased alcohol consumption in an attempt to numb uncomfortable emotions and those with a past history of alcohol or drug addiction are at risk for relapse.
  5. Increased cravings for comfort foods (often sweet and savoury foods) as a result of reduced social interaction, isolation for those that live alone and reduced physical activity with gyms being closed.
  6. Trends show an increase in baking at home since you’ve got more time at home, increased cravings for sweets and also this is an activity parents and caregivers can do with kids.
  7. Open access to the refrigerator and pantry all day now with limited structure to meal times now that we are working and schooling from home which can limit consumption of balanced meals and snacks.

 

What can we do to tackle some of these COVID-19 nutrition and eating issues happening at home right now?

 

While each family situation is certainly different and some of these options may be better suited to some than others, here are a few considerations:

 

#1 If Possible Get Outside: Out the Door by Four

 

In our family we started a new ritual called “Out the Door by Four” (aka by 4pm each day we must get outside for fresh air). We’ve done family walks, winter fat biking and tobogganing on a quiet hill. We also created a family fun list and are also looking forward to snow bocce ball, frisbee, badminton and a campfire to name a few. Not only does this help beat cabin fever, the sunlight bolsters mental health and physical activity is one of the best ways to battle stress. If mobility is a challenge or you are in  a location where you are not permitted to go outside and participate in walks and activity, for you I’d still encourage you to sit outside on a balcony and read a book, listen to the birds or do a craft.

For other fitness, yoga and meditation strategies check out my recent blog post for when we are stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic: FREE Fitness Apps, Yoga and Meditation Resources for Adults and Kids


#2 Use the Timing Technique

 

We may not have control over many things in life right now but we can structure our day with some set routines. Kids and adults thrive on some structure and routine to our meal timing. This you can control since open access to eating anytime rather than at set times can lead to overeating, making poor choices and kids not coming to the table hungry if they filled up on too many snacks throughout the day.

If you or your family members are making poor choices, struggling with overeating or undereating right now use what I call the Timing Technique to eat every 3-5 hours. Try and get up at the same time each day and refuse to spend all day in your PJ’s. Ideally eat your first meal within about 1 hour of waking and then eat either a meal or snack every 3-5 hours.

The frequency of how often you eat through the day will vary person to person based on our own intuitive eating patterns. Some people will choose to eat 3 larger meals and no snacks and others will choose to eat 3 smaller meals and 3 small snacks (or any variation in between). The most important part is setting a game plan for yourself and your family so food doesn’t become a free for all of anything goes which will surely lead to a lack of healthy choices.

 

#3 Keep it Simple

 

The quote “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” by Leonardo da Vinci comes to mind during these times.

Your brain is full and your heart is heavy. It may be a challenging time for you to think creatively about meal planning so give yourself permission to keep it super simple. You can get fancier later when you have more space in your brain and heart.

Meal planning made simple is knowing that we are going to select 3 things for balance for our breakfast, lunch and supper. The 3 things are:

  • Grains/starches
  • Veggies and/or fruit
  • Source of protein

Use whatever you have in the house that works for this broad guideline. If you have more frozen veggies than fresh veggies in your house now go with those as they are excellent options from a nutrition perspective. If you have fresh fruit that needs to be used before it spoils, be sure to incorporate that. From a budget perspective you can also incorporate more meatless meals or stretch meat with adding canned legumes (for example add 2 extra cans of kidney beans to your family chili recipe or add lentils to your ground poultry taco meal).

 

Any final tips about how we can best manage our nutrition during the COVID-19 crisis?

 

I’d love it if you used this extra time at home together with your family as a gift. Eat together. Not only at supper around the preparing a home made pizza with peppers mushrooms tomatoes and cheesedinner table but also at breakfast and/or lunch. If you live alone I’d like you to eat some of your meals or to share a coffee by phone or videoconference with afriend. Eating together is an important time of connection and we all need this more than ever.

 

We always prioritize supper meals together as a family but we also started eating lunch together as well. We pause on whatever we are doing as we work from home and simply eat together. My 9-year old son commented that while he misses school he likes eating lunch with us. Use this treasured time to connect over conversation, away from screens and negative news talk. Add a gratitude practice of one thing you are grateful for as this family habit we started many years ago grows into some super cool conversations, and is simply good for all of us as a reframe in difficult times.

 

Lastly, teach your kids to cook. This is a life skill that is often undervalued. Turn off the news and turn up the tunes and work with your family together on dividing and conquering meal prep and cooking together. While baking with your kids seems to be the go to choice, what they really need is to know how to cook your favorite family recipes so when they move away from home they don’t live on fast food. If you suck at cooking yourself this is an awesome time for you and your kids to pull out the cookbooks in your home and watch SIMPLE cooking videos on how to make delicious food. Yes it will be messy, but you might be surprised how much fun you have. You also might be surprised that your kids that have always been picky may take a new interest in trying things they have been involved in preparing.

 

How are you managing COVID-19 nutrition / coronavirus eating at home? Let us know in the comments below some of your family tips!

 

Looking for some meal ideas for ‘covid cooking’ – check out these ideas here:

couple wearing plaid shirts preparing a meal with eggs and vegetables
30 Healthy Meal Ideas for Your Home

 

 

 

 


 

Where can I find more Online Nutritionist Support?

 

If you are looking for nutrition support from home we can help! We’ve been offering virtual online nutritionist support by our Virtual Dietitian team for some time and can hand hold you through the process. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to use even if you are not technologically savvy. Read more about our Online Nutritionist services here:
Our Practice is Open but we are working entirely Virtually for public health safety during the COVID-19 pandemic

PS Don’t forget to check with your insurance coverage, health spending account or private health services plan and see if you are covered for Registered Dietitian services.

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Success stories

"I am a psychologist in private practice and it is very important to me that my clients have the best care with other health care professionals. For that reason Health Stand Nutrition is my only source for exceptional Dietitians. Andrea and her team provide highly knowledgeable, compassionate, and real world support to my clients who require assistance with food lifestyle. I trust my clients to them and you would be in excellent hands making them part of your health care team."
Adele Fox, Psychologist
“This is the first time I feel satisfied; my cravings have diminished dramatically and I have a whole new relationship with food. I am eating guilt-free for the first time in my life. My energy has also dramatically increased and I feel great!
Rhonda Jenkins, Nutrition Counseling Client
“The Dieticians at Health Stand Nutrition help you to take action on the science behind eating well by making it practical, understandable, and fun. Their office is cozy and not at all clinical or intimidating. I felt like I was sitting down with a really smart, caring friend who wanted to help me make the best choices for my lifestyle and food preferences. They really are the best in the business.”
Marty Avery, Nutrition Counseling Client
“I have come to think of the program as a one stop shopping excursion for everything one needs to know about creating a joyous relationship with food and our bodies. In a single word, the course has gifted me with freedom from the punishing rigidity of disordered eating, old stories that never were true, and body dysmorphia that did nothing but make me lose sight of a body that has done everything I've asked, despite my careless dismissal of her needs. Now when I look in the mirror I find myself shifting from harsh criticism to gentle gratitude.”
Lynn Haley, Pursuit of Healthiness Online Course Participant
“I spent 3 hours when first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I learned more from my Dietitian about food in those 3 hours than I had learned in all the years of my life. I also love the newsletter, there is always something to learn.”
Peter Whitehead, Nutrition Counseling Client
“I didn’t realize how strong my “diet mentality” was, and all the rules I had in my head about food. I was in a cycle of reward/punish/binge/cringe. I booked with your business very reluctantly, on the repeated advice of my doctor, to get my slowly rising cholesterol levels in check. I thought I knew everything about food, and my behaviour with food, but I was definitely re-schooled. My weight is creeping down, I feel good about my diet, exercise, body image, and lifestyle.”
Amy Floyd, Nutrition Counseling Client
“Thanks Andrea for an amazing presentation, I have heard all positive remarks from attendees and the evaluations show the same sentiment. It is really gratifying when a speaker does their “homework” and weaves in our profession’s day to day challenges within their content, you did an awesome job of this! You truly took the “die” out of Dietician! Your information on healthy eating and simplifying how we can work towards this as we are all so busy really hit the mark. Andrea connects very well with her audience; she is energetic, funny, and very approachable.”
Carole Ann LaGrange, Transfusion Medicine Safety Officer

Event Planner for Laboratory Diagnostic Imaging Annual Event

I am a family physician who sees patients with a myriad of eating concerns – from wanting to know how to plan healthy meals for active families, to weight loss, to eating disorders, and so on. I cannot recommend the Health Stand team highly enough. I have worked with (and been to!) other Dieticians in the past and too often find that they just ask for food logs and make suggestions that are easily obtained online or in books. The Dieticians at Health Stand offer much more than just telling clients what they “should be eating.” In contrast, the team really does more of a counselling practice, and they work hard to help their clients learn more about why their eating habits may be off track and not optimal for them, as well as helping people to effect change at a deep level that, most importantly, is sustainable for lifetime health.”
Dr. Deb Putnam, Family Physician

Nutrition Counseling Client & Referring Physician

“I am a busy mom, with kids in high level sports, working full-time downtown, and running our home acreage outside the City. I now have the knowledge and tools I need to plan for and manage the chaos of meal planning.”
Gillian Gray, Pursuit of Healthiness Online Course Participant
“As a construction company, we select speakers who can relate to our industry and its employees. Andrea’s message was delivered with humor and empathy. She makes people feel as though they can make changes without leaving behind every favorite food. Andrea focused her presentation on healthy eating as a way to keep energy high throughout the day. This message and the way it was delivered resonated with our predominantly male, blue collar culture. I would highly recommend Andrea as a speaker for groups such as ours. She will get your message across without alienating anyone in your audience – which is a huge hurdle when trying to introduce a wellness program in the workplace!”
Stephanie Wood, HR and Safety Manager

Fisher Construction Group, Burlington, WA

I found my Dietitian warm, funny, and skilled at teaching nutrition concepts without the overwhelm. The general approach of each session was to mix science with emotion, which was exceedingly effective in helping me shift my perspective on food from one of anxiety to one of joy and curiosity.”
Erin Kronstedt, Nutrition Counseling Client
“Excellent presentation! What a refreshing change to have a speaker inspire rather than “lecture” about nutrition. Your captivating stories, tips and overall approach to healthy eating uplifts and puts people at ease. It was great to hear we don’t need to strive to be perfect eaters, and that small changes really can make a difference in how we feel and in our health. Thanks to Andrea, we have solutions to our everyday nutrition challenges that can actually work in real life!”
Tina Tamagi, Human Resources

ARC Resources Ltd.

“Had I not joined this course I would have struggled with no focus, low energy, and mindless eating. Excellent teaching and motivation. This is not just a course, it is a nutrition club with mentorship, support, and connections with other people with similar situations.”
Lorri Lawrence, Pursuit of Healthiness online course participant

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