The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit is asking the public to eat healthy while they are cooped up at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
People are being urged to buy nourishing and less perishable foods such as canned beans and lentils, tomatoes, tomato paste, and canned meat such as tuna and salmon. Other suggestions include:
- - Nut butters and nuts
- - Pasta, quinoa, rice, oatmeal, whole grain bread
- - Soup Stock
- - Eggs
- - Margarine, Butter, cheese, and yogurt
- - Frozen vegetables and fruits
- - Longer lasting produce such as citrus fruit, broccoli, cauliflower, root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, squash, onions
- - Meat like turkey, ground beef, chicken, fish
- - Tofu
- - Vinegars and Olive oil, canola oil
- - Spices like chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, dried oregano, dried tarragon.
"Healthy eating gives you the nourishment your body needs," they said. "A healthy diet pattern that meets Canada’s Food Guide recommendations does not need additional vitamins and minerals or supplementation."
The health unit is giving out grocery shopping tips to help people plan, prepare, and shop while they practice social distancing for the next while. Officials also said there is no need to stockpile items like toilet paper and bottled water because Canada's food supply chain is one of the strongest in the world. The Ontario government previously said it is committed to ensuring Ontarians can access healthy and nutritious foods. Officials said there are no plans to stop the supply of products to meet food related needs. They added that tap water is safe.
"While you may feel anxious and uncertain about the pandemic, there is no need to panic and rush to purchase and stockpile supplies," CK Public Health added. "Many of us are confused with how and when to grocery shop and what to buy."
The health unit said grocery shopping once a week during slower hours is recommended to reduce the amount of time we spend in public spaces. Wiping down the grocery cart handle with a disinfectant wipe is also a good practice, even with ramped up disinfecting procedures at many stores.
Click here for a list of food and meal delivery options available to those who must stay home.
Visit https://ckphu.com/covid19/ or email covid19@chatham-kent.ca if you have any questions.