As the world fights the coronavirus pandemic, most people will have to plan their days well. These include what meals to eat and what types of food to shop.
To reduce trips to the grocery, families will have to stock up on pantry staples. Here are some of the best options:
1. Flour
Let’s face it, at some point, children will demand some goodies like cookies. Families may end up celebrating special occasions at home. A bag of flour will definitely go a long way. It may last for about a year at room temperature and twice the time when in the fridge.
For those with sensitive tummies, they can buy a gluten-free flour mix to help them save time and money. With only a few ingredients, they can have a nutritious focaccia bread or even brownies.
2. Beans
Beans are some of the best sources of protein, fiber, as well as vitamins and minerals. They are also versatile. From baked beans to chili con carne, the recipes to try are almost endless!
Even better, they have a long shelf life. As long as they are dried or uncooked, they can be inside mason jars or cloth bags indefinitely. Canned goods can last between three and five years. As long as their sodium content is low, they can be just as healthy as the real ones.
For those who like to meal prep, cooked beans can stay in the fridge for three to five days. It’s a reasonable amount of time to create lunches and dinners good for a week.
3. Pasta and Grains
What’s an excellent partner to protein? It’s carbs, and for this, families can have two choices: grains or pasta. They can never go wrong with either one of them (better yet, grab both!).
Dried kinds of pasta, which are the ones in plastics, can still be eatable after one to two years beyond the best-by date. Grains, such as rice, have a much longer shelf life. Families can even cook them within three to five years! However, they need proper storage, including keeping them away from moisture and insects.
A note here, though: choose the carbs well. It’s best to stick with complex carbohydrates since they can contain more fiber and reduce the risk of an insulin spike.
4. Hardy Produce
The different types of fresh produce have a significantly shorter shelf life than the other items on this list. Green veggies, for instance, may last for only a week or two. Some of them, however, may thrive longer. These include ginger, garlic, onion, and turmeric. So do fruits, such as apples, oranges, and pomegranates, as well as dried herbs and spices.
Families can also stockpile on hardy vegetables, like squash, celery, cauliflower, and carrots. Tomatoes can also have an excellent shelf life when allowed to ripen at room temperature.
Some of these veggies may be hard to come by as supplies decline. The next best option is to buy them frozen. They may last for months or even a year. They can still be just as nutritious as the fresh ones.
The coronavirus pandemic is stressful enough. Families don’t need to spend more time worrying about other things, such as what to buy in their next grocery run. They can buy four pantry staples that can last for a long time.
