COVID POUNDS

MANY LIVES have been upended by the social distancing and self-isolation being used in the war against the coronavirus. As we pick up the pieces of our lives and try to pack them all into our homes, healthy eating habits tend to get thrown out. Being stuck at home should be the greatest opportunity for proper nutrition, but it is a path fraught with traps waiting to ruin your health. Look out for these obstacles as you navigate the food minefield:

NO, EATING HEALTHY AT HOME IS NOT EASY

It might seem logical to abandon your usual meal prep routine. Thinking, ‘If I get hungry I will cook something’ leaves you in a dangerous position. The truth is, rather than slaving in the kitchen, you are more likely to reach for the easiest most appetising thing in the house when you are ready to eat. Instead of taking this chance, it’s best to plan your meals in advance. For example, plan and prepare – where possible – your meals for a day or two and include healthy snacks in that plan. Try to stick to the schedule as closely as you can.

DON’T HOARD JUNK FOOD

With the uncertainty brought on by the coronavirus, stocking up on certain foods is not a bad idea. In addition to the food security it provides, it also reduces the need to head outside. The danger is in stacking up on those foods – usually junk – that you can’t resist. Limit the amount of junk you buy, and try to stick to a shopping schedule. Don’t rush to the supermarket just because you are out of your favourite items. Use what you have until the next scheduled visit.

SNACK RESPONSIBLY

It is all too easy to lose track – and control – of how much snacks and treats we are consuming. Leave no room for error when it comes to those tasty morsels, or you might find that they are the only meals you eat. You don’t need to abandon treats and snacks, but be sure to make provisions for healthy snacks and minimise the amount of junk available.

KEEP THAT WATER BOTTLE HANDY

Water remains the ‘healthy’ drink of choice. No, we will not drink coffee or juice at every interval just because they are available. That water bottle you had been using at work can do the same job at home. Fill your bottle in the morning and continue to use it as a measure of how much water you are consuming.

TRACK YOUR CONSUMPTION

The best way tool for healthy eating is one that tracks your consumption. It is, however, easy to lose track of what you are eating while you are stuck at home. You don’t need to count calories, install any apps, or buy any books. It’s as simple as using your phone to snap a picture of everything you consume and review it periodically. This will give you an idea of where any extra pounds are coming from.