A healthy approach to food is more important, while the pandemic continues to affect everyday life. Eating a nourishing and balance-diet helps with our overall sense of well-being. During this time, where challenges come and go, it might be tantalizing not to prioritize healthy eating. To help you support both physical and mental health, you can follow these guidelines daily:

• Drink plenty of water
• Limit intake of alcohol, caffeine, and foods that contains added salts, sugars, and saturated fat
• Eat plenty of fruits, fresh vegetables, cereals, and preferably wholegrain. 
• Include cheeses, milk, yogurts, fish, meat, and poultry 

Keep things simple 

It’s understandable if you’ve lost your appetite at times, given the current situation. If maintaining a healthy diet is hard for you right now, you may try to keep this simple as possible. 

• You may do home-delivered groceries and online shopping to help with restrictions of physical or social distancing.
• You may do meal planning as well. It may help take the stress out and lessen the number of times you need to go to the shops. 
• Learn how to prepare quick, simple, and healthy meals. 
• Create the easiest and quick cooking methods such as oven tray bakes, stir-frying, pressure cookers, and microwaving. 
• Bunch cooks bulky amounts of food to freeze. To avoid waste, put them into separate containers. 

Emotional eating

It can be tempting to use food as a distraction or comfort as we remain to live in a difficult time and spend so much time at home. People with existing or developing depression or anxiety may find it hard to eat properly right now. Food can become an emotional crux, whether due to comfort eating, loss of appetite, feeling of boredom, or lack of motivation. 

Putting on weight gain is common in people with depression or anxiety who are not physically active, comfort eat, and frequently go back to unhealthy foods. On the other hand, skipping meals, losing appetite, and weight loss are also common in people with anxiety, low mood, or depression. In addressing emotional eating and unhealthy eating habits, sticking to your usual daily routine and eating mindfully might help. You are more likely to notice when you’re full when you bring your attention to how food makes you feel both mentally and physically. If you feel like your relationship with the food has become unhealthy, you can call a dietitian for support. 

Cooking for peace of mind 

While staying at home during a pandemic, many people have embraced the opportunity to dust off their cookbooks and show off their skills in the kitchen. Cooking can be a form of meditation. It allows escaping from stress and worries even just for a while. For some people, cooking or taking time to prepare healthy and tasty meals does them a world of good. 

Some ways to maximize your cooking experience:

• Clean your kitchen to remain focused on the task on hand. Try to make sure your cooking space is clean and clear. 
• Listen to relaxing and soothing music. It may help you focus and unwind. 
• Mealtimes are important and enjoy your creation. Take time to sit down and enjoy your food.