Top foods you need to buy to make self-isolation taste good

Strict quarantine measures are gradually being introduced in large cities. Many residents prefer to fill their refrigerators in advance so as not to leave the house unnecessarily. Usually our choice falls on inexpensive products that last for a long time: simple cereals, meat, pasta and convenience foods.

But buckwheat and plain noodles for every day can quickly get boring and deprive you of the joy of enjoying lunch or dinner. Fortunately, even the simplest diet can be diversified. Let’s find out what foods can help you do just that.

Fruits, vegetables and berries

They are called a real treasure trove of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients for a reason. Fruits, vegetables and berries can not only make your menu fresher and richer, but also strengthen your immune system in such a difficult time. Particular attention should be paid to products containing vitamin C: citrus fruits and bell peppers. And also colored vegetables. They contain beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A. It stimulates the production of cells that fight microbes.

By the way, thinning fruits and berries will also benefit. They are a source of natural sugar – fructose. It is much more valuable than refined, which we get from sweet desserts. However, do not get carried away with fresh fruits and overeat too.

Alternative cereals

Buckwheat is not the only salvation during quarantine. In fact, there are many alternative cereals: rice, bulgur, couscous, quinoa and others. Since they contain complex carbohydrates, they are able to satiate the body for a long time.

Bulgur will serve as an excellent side dish or a base for a salad and is suitable for stuffing vegetables. For example, it can be put in sweet peppers. Couscous perfectly complements vegetable, meat and fish dishes. And in combination with eggs, it will become the basis for a pie. Quinoa, being the most expensive cereal in the list, contains the most protein.

Spices

They have many advantages, but most importantly, they are the best thing that can diversify food and make its flavor more intense. In addition, spices provide a prolonged feeling of satiety, quite substitute salt and speed up metabolism. So we recommend looking at thyme, cardamom, cinnamon, fennel, sage, rosemary, ginger and nutmeg. In addition, they contain various vitamins.

Greens

It will give life to any bland dish. Therefore, you should stock up on dill, parsley, cilantro, basil and salad leaves. They contain vitamin C, folic acid, carotene and essential oils with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. And if you don’t feel like running to the supermarket for a fresh bunch every time, remember that you can freeze or grow your own greens at home on your windowsill.

Fish and seafood

They will be a worthy alternative when you want to replace meat with something. Of course, not everyone can call themselves a fan of fish and seafood – it’s a matter of taste. In this case, forcing yourself to eat them by force is not worth it. But for others, these products can be a source of protein, healthy omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins B and E, as well as iodine, zinc, calcium, iron and other useful substances.

Nuts

If you feel like snacking, favor nuts over salty, spicy or sweet snacks. Nut grains contain omega-3 saturated acids, fiber, vitamins A, B, C, D and E. They relieve stress, improve skin quality and brain function, and boost the immune system. And why go far – nuts are simply delicious. However, eating them more than a handful a day is not recommended, as they contain more than 550 calories per 100 grams.

Superfoods

A variant for those who do not mind to experiment and taste new dishes with incomprehensible names. In order not to exaggerate the abilities of superfoods, let’s say that this is not a magical food that can completely revitalize the body. These are natural, sometimes exotic products from different countries, which are now available to us. These include chia and flax seeds, wheat germ, soybeans and yamchen. You can also try Goji berries, camu camu and physalis, as well as various algae: spirulina, chlorella and fucus.

Rare vegetables and herbs are also superfoods. For example, Maca root vegetables and kale, which is called dinosaur cabbage. And even matcha tea, which is rapidly gaining popularity in Russia, is becoming on a par with these products.