Be lockdown-ready, stock your pantry with these essentials

668147496
Certain other precautions also need to be taken while storing food in the fridge.

As the world is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, uncertainty looms. Ups and downs in the number of cases in different regions of the country mean that we never know when a lockdown is imposed. In such a case, it is always better to stock your pantry with essentials to avoid any last-minute hurry.

But with lockdowns comes a change in routine which brings a change of diet and to avoid coming out of any lockdowm unfit, it is necessary to include nutritious and filling food in your daily diet. Next culinary challenge would be keep your taste buds from getting bored while not compromising on your health.

All these factors plus long shelf-life are to be kept in mind while shopping for groceries on a lockdown. Here is a compact list of food items that you may stock up for an uncompromising diet during the lockdown:

Milk/yoghurt

You may buy milk cartons that have a longer shelf life than your regular packeted milk. It is also advised to freeze the excess cartons to store them longer. Milk is going to form an essential part of your quick breakfast if you are working from home. You will also need it for your evening tea or coffee because not everyone likes their brews black.

milk
Milk is an excellent remedy to keep away fatigue.

Freeze the fruit yogurts for a healthy snack or a mini meal.

Cereal/muesli/oats

Speaking of breakfast, people working from home might not get enough time to make elaborate breakfast and that is where cereal saves the day. You can choose from a wide variety of cream-filled to chocolate covered cereal. Muesli and oats would be healthier, high-fibre options so buy a kilogram of all these and mix it up as you like!

613121170
Granola With Fresh Fruit-Photographed on Hasselblad H1-22mb Camera

Broken wheat

A warm bowl of kanji is always a good idea and replacing rice with broken whole wheat is going to help you stay fit. You can also use broken wheat to make upma or payasam and also use it in salads.

Broken wheat payasam

Ghee/coconut oil

Using cooking oils sparingly will not only make them last longer but also curb your fat intake. For you expensive options, go for olive oil that may also be used on salads.

897374324
Virgin coconut oil is extracted from coconut milk.

Lentils/beans

If you are going to be forced into vegetarianism due to lack of fresh meat, it is advised to maintain protein intake with dals and beans. Get a variety of dal to break the monotony and try different recipes like dal fry, tadka and more.

1130228940
Indian dal. Food. Traditional Indian soup lentils. Indian Dhal spicy curry in bowl, spices, herbs, rustic black wooden background. Top view. Authentic Indian dish. Overhead. Flat lay

Flour

Stock up on whole wheat or multi grain flour and avoid the empty calories of all-purpose flour or maida. Even semi-cooked chappatis have sufficient amount of maida in them so go for it and make healthy chapathis from the scratch.

These are the delicious roti varieties in India | Shutterstock

Nuts

Everyone gets snack-y sitting at home! Don't hog on store-bought fried snacks or chips. Instead go for dried nuts like almonds, cashews, or whichever you like, that will also be a source of energy and keep you from getting lethargic. Also add these nuts to make your salads filling and interesting.

nuts
A handful of nuts a day would not only reduce cholesterol but also prevent a heart attack.

Dried/canned fish

Supply of fresh fish is bound to get affected so make up for those daily nutrients by opting for the next best thing - dried fish or onnakameen. You may also go for canned fish, if available as they are usually preserved naturally in brine.

695057862

Chocolate

Yes, you will regret not buying this with your regular groceries because chocolate cravings might hit you when you least expect them. Go for options with higher dark cocoa and less sugar content as curfew is no time for guilty pleasures!

homemade-chocolate
The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Onmanorama. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.