First and foremost, Silverman says, make a list.
“Now is the time to double-check the pantry, fridge and freezer, and make a list of what you need that will last. All of us at some point realize when we’re back in our car halfway home, ‘I should have bought some flour or I needed sugar,'” Silverman says.
Silverman also offers these tips:
Think about your family and a new routine.
“You may have kids eating lunch at home now, so you might want to have things like extra peanut butter and jelly for sandwiches. Or flour and sugar, for example, if you’re planning a baking project with your kids,” she says.
Consider alternative options.
While dairy and fresh produce are staples for many households, Silverman says don’t forget shelf-stable alternatives or frozen options. “You can buy egg whites in cartons if you can’t find eggs, for instance,” she says. “Shelf-stable items, such as powered milk, frozen fruits and vegetables, or canned (fruits and vegetables), are always good to have on hand,” she says.
Check expiration dates.
As you shop, Silverman says check expiration dates. And consider items that you can use in multiple ways. “Eggs, for instance, often have three weeks to a month of use. However, egg whites in a carton will give you a much longer time period, say six to eight weeks,” she says.
Don’t forget freezer bags.
Silverman reminds that certain food, especially if you won’t use it immediately, also can be stored in the freezer. “If you find ripe berries in the store, you can freeze those for later use. You can freeze bananas and you can use those for protein fruit smoothies later on.”
Protein, like beef and chicken, can last for about four months in the freezer. Fish, cheese and bread also freeze well, Silverman says.
“But remember, when it’s time to use it, you will want to defrost it safely,” she says, adding that you want to continue to clean and disinfect your food prep station to avoid contamination.
Most importantly, Silverman says, don’t over purchase and maintain your routine. “Just purchase things that you feel that you commonly use, that you know that you’re going to use within two weeks for you and your family.”
Don’t forget to use the whole animal. We eat a lot of organ meats in my family because it’s good for you. You can use parts of a pig or chicken you never thought to use. That is once you get over the gag reflex and squeamishness. But an important tip for when you are stuck at home forever like now. People throw away a lot of edible stuff, like the jelly in a can of beans or carrot tops or onion skins. It’s all edible. When I was a kid we would even eat animals that people would consider pests, like possum or squirrel. It’s natural.
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Thanks very much for sharing. Much appreciated.
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