{"id":9782,"date":"2020-04-07T19:25:07","date_gmt":"2020-04-07T19:25:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/?p=9782"},"modified":"2020-04-16T15:17:37","modified_gmt":"2020-04-16T15:17:37","slug":"be-safe-and-shop-smart-grocery-shopping-during-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/2020\/04\/07\/be-safe-and-shop-smart-grocery-shopping-during-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Be Safe and Shop Smart: Grocery Shopping During COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nKeeping an adequate supply of healthy food on hand while remaining at home is a major health-related concern for many people during this time. The grocery industry has done a great job responding to the increased demand and need for safety precautions.<\/p>\n

For example, to address the needs of seniors and other high-risk groups, many chains and independent stores have instituted special shopping days and times. In addition, some stores have been limiting quantities to ensure adequate supplies for all and have been replenishing stock on an expedited basis.<\/p>\n

You can remain safe visiting the grocery store, but minimizing trips to the store will reduce the overall risk of spreading COVID-19. The fewer trips you take to the store the less contact you will have with other people. New Jersey is now requiring shoppers to wear masks, but experts say you can safely go to the store without using a mask or gloves. Remember the most important thing you can do is avoid touching your face, with or without gloves. During your grocery store visit use hand sanitizer after touching things and wash your hands with soap and water before and after shopping.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a good idea to buy approximately 2 weeks\u2019 worth of food at a time to help limit the number of trips you need to make to the grocery store,\u201d says Josephine Raum, MS, RD, Nutritionist and Dietitian with the Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Center at Cooper. \u201cThis doesn’t mean we need to sacrifice on healthy options as there are many great choices that can be kept over a long period of time. This can help us and our families stay consistent with healthy eating.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFruits and vegetables are always a great choice,\u201d continues Mrs. Raum, \u201cbut make sure to rinse the vegetables well before eating and cooking. Frozen fruit is another good option, and a great way to still get your Vitamin C.\u201d<\/p>\n

Choose a variety of grains. Now may be a great time to try something different such as quinoa instead of rice or pasta. It is a more nutritionally dense food and can be stored in your pantry. \u201cHealthy fats, such as nuts, can be a great snack,\u201d says Mrs. Raum. \u201cMake sure to follow the serving size for these items.\u201d<\/p>\n

Try to keep to a schedule for you and your family as much as possible to avoid mindless eating or grazing. Do not keep snacks out on the counter, but instead store food items in cabinets to reduce the temptation to mindlessly eating.<\/p>\n

The Today Show posted this informative article, \u201cHow to safely shop for groceries if you\u2019re concerned about coronavirus\u201d<\/a> that offers many useful tips.<\/p>\n

Cooper University Health Care provides these tips when you are out shopping:<\/p>\n