Calories VS Nutrients In A Lockdown | You Decide
I had these two breakfasts one day apart and it got me thinking about what each represents, vis-a-vis this ongoing end of the world event.
One is clearly healthier than the other, but the benefits of each during this time may not be obvious. So here goes.
1
Pros: Healthy and highly nutritious. Also quite tasty I might add.
Cons: All ingredients are fresh and require refrigeration. Even in a fridge, ingredients will spoil within a week or two.
In a pandemic lockdown; will keep your immunity strong but the ingredients cannot be efficiently hoarded.
2
Pros: Keeps in the box for many months. Once opened, keeps for about a week when refrigerated. Packed with calories.
Cons: Full of sugar and low in good nutrients.
In a pandemic lockdown; will keep you alive for longer due to calorie density. Can be hoarded for months efficiently in it's packaging and stores away on a shelf. Will do nothing for your immune system though.
Here's the question:
If you're going to be locked indoors for 4 months (as is being threatened in the UK for the elderly), which option would you rather have and why?
You'd be allowed to shop once before the lock up
Both for as long as possible, then the latter options. Luckily eggs keep for months in the fridge, meat can be freezed, I can bake and technically you should be able to grow some greens in your home/balcony to get at least a bit of something fresh.
You don't count. You're already too good at this haha.
Eggs can also be frozen at home and consumed after defrosting. Sounds odd I know but could come in handy if coronavirus gets worse. Fingers crossed it will decline soon
https://www.incredibleegg.org/eggcyclopedia/f/freezing-eggs/
That's interesting. I've also heard about putting a wax coating to preserve eggs longer.
Seriously? Wow.
Never heard of this before :)
I was thinking similar to @eveuncovered. Legumes - peas, beans and lentils would be important. Some fresh vegetables like carrots, butternut squash and onions will store well for a long time in a cool dry dark place. For fresh vegetables: a windowsill garden of fast growing cress, lettuces and radishes, plus bean sprouts should have you covered along with tins, frozen and dried stores. Might be healthier and cheaper, too!
Another expert LOL. You can probably live off your own garden far a while. City people, we're screwed! haha.
Hehe, I was trying to think of a solution that even flat dwellers without a balcony could adopt :) I fogot to say that the cakes will be useful for keeping people's spirits up ...
I think a much bigger issue is the social isolation involved - loneliness has been shown to be as damaging to your health as smoking, and one of the five recommended daily actions for good mental health is social engagement. Although internet use is growing exponentially among older age groups, it's still comparatively low in the over 70s and the most vulnerable are the least likely to be plugged in. In some work I did a few years ago there were an estimated 8,500 older people in Leicestershire who were likely to need some help and support but were not known to any agency eg social services. I wonder if we will see a resurgence of letter-writing and people being encouraged to be penpals, even perhaps, adopt a granny or grandpa?
The other thing that concerns me about a proposed lockdown of any group of people is the extent to which it is contravening civil liberties and human rights. I've not heard much about that yet.
Sigh, there are so many layers to this thing. Some of the countries that have seen some success in slowing down the virus, it has been at the expense of civil liberties, or even human rights unfortunately. I don't think that'd go down well over here.
your food looks fancy adeee
I'm a fancy dude! ✌🏾
I'm trying to have both options at home. The first thing to consume is the perishable and keep the other until the end. You have to shop smart these days, but sometimes it's so hard. Here, every day the products are more expensive. We are already in quarantine in my city, so it's time to manage what little we have in the refrigerator and pantry. Greetings, and be well @adetorrent.
You're right.
I have a bread maker. Instead of buying fresh bread, I have pitta bread frozen (for easy storage), and pre-mixed flour. One pack of that can make 10 loafs of bread and stakes up 1% of the storage. It can also keep for almost 2 years :)
Keep safe, and wishing you the best.