A well-stocked pantry can go a long way to be able to prepare and plan meals during a self-quarantine or social distancing methods.
Sarah Klemm, RDN, CD, LDN, says that planning out a menu for a week or two in advance can also be helpful, but if you don’t have time to plan meals, a well-stocked pantry can relieve some of the pressure when it comes time to make a meal. She recommends keeping the following on hand for quick, easy-to-fix dishes.
Here are some of Klemm’s Shelf-stable Products
- Dried or canned beans, peas, and lentils (such as black, garbanzo, kidney, white and pinto beans; green, yellow or split peas and lentils)
- Canned vegetables with no added salt (such as tomatoes, green beans, and corn)
- Dried or canned fruit in 100% fruit juice
- Whole grains (such as brown rice, quinoa, oats, millet, and whole-wheat pasta)
- Pouches or canned fish and chicken
- Nuts, seeds, and nut butters
- Olive, canola or other vegetable oils
- Dried herbs and spices
Frozen Foods
- Vegetables (such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and Brussels sprouts)
- Fruit (such as berries, mango, and cherries)
- Whole wheat pizza dough, wraps
- Poultry- turkey, chicken, sausages, ground meats
- Seafood- shrimp, salmon, white fish