Food to buy if quarantined for two weeks

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Health Officials say that if you are sick with COVID-19 or come in contact with someone who has the virus, you are required to quarantine yourself for 14 days. So if quarantined for two weeks, what are some of the essential things you are going to need to stock your pantry with?

If stores are limited on supplies and shelves are bare, it really comes down to take whatever is there. But there are some things to aim for.

Kelly Calabrese, a nutritionist with Optimal Wellness Solutions said, “They really need to have the nonperishables, the foods that are in cans. Soups, vegetables, fruits anything in cans, anything in boxes. Stay away from foods that are going to perish more rapidly.”

But she also says it’s hard to be picky in a time like this.

“When you go to the supermarket and you go down the soup aisle and there is nothing there, yeah you want to be able to get whatever you can,” said Calabrese.

If things like milk and eggs are in a limited supply, Calabrese says there are certain substitutes you can look into if you’re not finding what you need.

“There is actually powdered substitute eggs; milk, there is actually powdered milk. These are not the best choices, but if that’s your only choice go and get the powdered products because they will last longer,” Calabrese said.

And Calabrese says protein is key, “Beans and rice is a great protein, beans and rice together. And there is a lot of beans and rice still out there.”

However, in a time like this, Calabrese says just try to eat as healthy as you can but also eat whatever makes you feel comfortable.

And it’s important to remember not to panic buy. Places like King Soopers here have plenty of food in the supply chain, they just need time to restock the shelves.