Now that you have stocked up on groceries, you may be wondering how to best use all the rice and beans you bought and what recipes will boost your immune system. Balanced You has got you covered.
There’s no better support for your immune system than sleeping well, exercising, managing your stress, washing your hands, and eating a healthy diet. Evidence for specific foods that boost immune responses is mixed, but sticking to a balanced diet filled with lots of colorful fruits and vegetables will help you get the necessary vitamins C and D, and Zinc.
Recipes
Now is a great time to bring back favorite recipes and experiment with new ones. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers an online library of free recipes and downloadable cookbooks designed for all ages and taste buds. A few of our favorites are below:
- Stews and soups can help you make good use of nutritious vegetables and extend their life by freezing extras. Check out this recipe for a delicious lentil stew, full of carrots and tomatoes, or this chicken vegetable soup with kale.
- Faced with shelves of canned tuna, dried pasta, and beans? Try this tuna pasta casserole or this pasta with chickpeas, canned tomatoes, and spinach.
Shopping and storage tips
In line with Governor Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, we are all limiting non-essential trips outside the home, so next time you go to the store, consider these tips for shopping and storage:
- Stock up on non-perishable items, including dried and canned beans, whole grains like rice and quinoa, pasta and pasta sauce, and low-sodium canned soups and broths.
- Make sure you have plenty of herbs and spices on hand to add flavor to dried beans and soups. You may have herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano already growing in your garden.
- Buy fresh and frozen produce and meat. You can eat the fresh foods first and save the frozen foods for later.
- Don’t forget your favorite comfort foods. Moderation is important, and that includes allowing yourself your favorite comfort, whether it’s chocolate or popcorn. Make sure to have some on hand to reduce the number of grocery store trips during this time.
Do you have other recommendations for healthy eating during coronavirus? We’d love to hear them! Please contact us at balancedyou@kingcounty.gov or (206) 263-9626
For more information, a list of King County employees’ Frequently Asked Questions regarding the coronavirus can be found here.