3 steps to guard against COVID 19 infection while grocery shopping
Buying groceries is still one of the few reasons to leave your home. You can do it in a way that guards not only your health but allows you and your family to continue eating healthy foods.
Step 1: Before shopping
The fewer times you need to head to the grocery store, the better. Use COVID-19 as an excuse to clean out your pantry of items. Looking for ideas on what to make? Search for “recipes for X ingredient and Y ingredient” for ideas.
Take advantage of grocery delivery where available. Ordering online and picking up the groceries is also wise. These services are in high demand though. So do not wait until the last minute to order groceries. Many grocery stores have also set up special hours for older adults to shop.
Even if you do shop in the store, it’s simpler to plan your list ahead by looking online at what is available, and reading labels of food products there, rather than standing in the aisle and making decisions on the fly, says Rebecca Kraay, a registered dietitian with Nebraska Medicine.
Sharon Eden, a microbiologist at Clarkson College – an academic partner of Nebraska Medicine, demonstrates the process in this video:
Watch the video here: http://criarysm.com/2mdE
Step 2: While shopping in the grocery store
Some health experts recommend bringing gloves or hand sanitizer wipes with you and striving not to touch anything without using gloves. Do not forget to keep a six-foot distance from everyone.
Though it might be challenging to find hand sanitizer and toilet paper, grocery stores still are stocked with fresh fruit and vegetables. Berries and many vegetables, even spinach and kale freeze easily, Kraay says.
Because of COVID-19, stores have discontinued giving out free samples, which works to your advantage if you are striving not to eat too much, Kraay says. You are also less likely to give in to impulse purchases, if you are on a mission to grab specific items and be as efficient as possible while shopping, Kraay adds. Learn how to freeze fruit, vegetables, meats and whole meals at this website from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
Step 3: Set up an unpacking station at home
When you arrive home, or deliveries come through the door, set up a clean and dirty station where you can unbag and place items that can be removed from the container and then toss the container. On the other part, you place items that you want to wipe off before storing. Sharon Eden, a microbiologist at Clarkson College – an academic partner of Nebraska Medicine – recommends allowing your products to sit untouched for 72 hours, if possible.
She demonstrates the process in this video http://criarysm.com/2mdE also posted above, among other tips related to guarding your health.
Also in the video, she discusses – among other topics – how hand sanitizer works, which household cleaners are best, and supplements to help keep you healthy.
Watch a demonstration video on all above 3 prevention tactics.
Sharon Eden, a microbiologist at Clarkson College – an academic partner of Nebraska Medicine, demonstrates all the above 3 processes, among other tips related to guarding your health. in this video.
Watch the full ‘’Grocery Shopping COVID 19 Demonstration’’ video :
Watch the video here: http://criarysm.com/2mdE
