BOISE, Idaho — If you've been working from home, you might have noticed you're snacking a bit more these days. So what's the best way to keep your diet balanced?
We asked registered dietitian for Blue Cross of Idaho Aly Sparks for her tips. She says start by making sure you keep a little bit of something from each food group in the house, especially as many of us limit our trips to the grocery store.
"Whether it's frozen or fresh, things like fruit or vegetables are great to have on hand," said Sparks. "Canned [fruits and vegetables] are really great, too. Having things that can go bad is a little bit more of a challenge."
Sparks says look for items that are pre-packaged you may not normally grab. That includes products like pre-packaged applesauce, whole wheat crackers, or even popcorn. Dairy products like string cheese or yogurt are also good snacks to add to your grocery list.
Sparks says as far as planning for lunch or dinner, now is a great time to try meal prepping.
"It's definitely important to make sure you do have a plan for the week because we do want to limit people going out to the grocery store too much and exposing themselves," said Sparks.
She suggests looking for recipes that create more than just a one-time dish. One idea includes what Sparks calls "cowboy caviar" made of black beans, corn, onions, tomatoes, and jalapenos that can be used as a dip or as an ingredient for breakfast burritos and tacos.
When planning your grocery list, Sparks says make sure fruits and vegetables are at the top. Canned, frozen, dried or fresh fruits and veggies can all be used to make several different dishes to last for a few days.
Sparks also suggests looking for things that may not go bad quite as quickly but will still have solid nutritional value. Look for lower sodium and low sugar products when scouring the aisles.
For more ideas, click here.
