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Healthful Eating for Body and Mind During Stay-at-Home Orders

Stay-at-home orders from government officials due to the COVID-19 pandemic have forced people to quickly adapt to a new normal, especially when it comes to eating. Restaurant dining rooms are closed, grocery shopping can be challenging, many parents are tasked with serving meals while working from home, and families who relied on school meals are now left to provide them.

Planning a constant pipeline of healthful meals and snacks can feel overwhelming, especially when junk food is so tempting because of the stress of such an uncertain time. As a father of two, Wesley McWhorter, MS, RD, a chef and dietitian with The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health, knows how tricky meal planning can be during this time.

“One of my kids will eat anything we prepare, and the other usually won’t touch anything we prepare. My wife and I have the experience with the stress of working from home and trying to stay sane, as well as wanting our kids to eat healthful meals,” McWhorter says.

He has some handy tips RDs can share (virtually) with their audience and clients to provide healthful, immunity-boosting food for themselves and their families in a practical way.

Eat Whole Foods
“All fruits and vegetables are good options to boost immunity, as they contain a range of antioxidants,” McWhorter says. “With stress being at an all-time high, it’s also important to note the mental health benefits of eating fruits and veggies. Processed foods, especially those with lots of added sugar, taste great when you eat them, but they actually contribute to depression and anxiety.”

Processed foods are proinflammatory and promote free radicals, which are waste byproducts in the body that, when built up, can harm the body’s cells. Free radicals seek an electron, and antioxidants have an extra electron to give. Fruits and veggies contain antioxidants, so they help neutralize the free radicals, which otherwise would cause stress that contributes to mental health issues, CVD, and other problems, McWhorter says.

Another major benefit to eating fruit and veggies is the high fiber content.

“Fiber is the food for our gut microbiota and helps keep us regular, helps with heart health and blood pressure, and has many other benefits,” McWhorter says.

Fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains are good sources of fiber, but most processed foods have little to no fiber.

“About 90% of adults don’t eat enough vegetables on a given day, and I assume that number will be higher during the quarantine. So, it’s even more important now to prioritize eating real food and not overconsume the processed foods,” McWhorter says.

Approach Healthful Eating in Small Steps
“Start where you are,” McWhorter says. “While we want to see half of your plate full of fruits and vegetables, don't try to change everything at once. Try adding a vegetable to your dinner plate, a can of beans to a soup, or some fruit to your dessert.”

If clients are wondering where to start, share the below recipes crafted by dietitians with UTHealth School of Public Health’s Nourish Program.

Plan Ahead
It’s easiest to eat junk food when in a pinch, so try to have healthful food on hand. This will require some advance planning, especially now that grocery shopping has changed dramatically over the last few weeks. You’ll want to select recipes beforehand and make a list before you go, so you can spend the least amount of time in the store as possible.

Another option is to order online and pick up groceries curbside. Due to high demand, you’ll need to allow at least four to five days for online ordering. Aim to buy enough groceries for the week ahead to avoid stockpiling or hoarding.

Make It a Family Affair
Include the kids by encouraging them to help when you’re cooking. Find some age-appropriate tasks such as stirring, opening, washing, or even cooking parts of the meal that can help them feel a sense of ownership.

“Bonus—research shows including kids in the cooking process can lead to improved consumption behaviors,” McWhorter says.

It’s good to help them learn some new skills with all their newfound free time, and it sure beats trying to keep them entertained while adults do all the work.

Celebrate the Little Victories
“Too often we resort to two different ways of thinking about nutrition—where either it’s perfect or we are failures,” McWhorter says.

He recommends taking baby steps in both nutrition and health behaviors as a whole to help achieve a sense of success.

“Little wins can include a vegetable eaten or tasted, a fruit shared, or even spending more time at the dinner table. These are the little things that make a difference and can actually create some great behaviors for our kids in the future,” McWhorter says. “Modeling is important for kids. If we show healthful behaviors, that’s what they will repeat.”

Be Mindful
For people streaming TV shows or dealing with boredom, it’s important to be mindful of what they’re consuming. Clients should try to portion out snack foods to prevent overeating. For example, they shouldn’t sit down in front of the TV with a whole bag—it’s just too easy to eat the whole thing, McWhorter says.

Another thing to be mindful of? Neighbors.

“We should be cognizant of those around us who are possibly not in as good of a situation as we are. Help out your neighbor where you can. Order takeout (for them) or pay for their groceries, etc. We are all in this together,” McWhorter says.

Designate a Night or Two Off
“Give yourself a break and support your favorite local restaurant by ordering a to-go meal. As a chef, I can’t imagine the hardships other colleagues are facing—losing their businesses and laying off longtime friends and employees. Let’s help our communities while also enjoying a delicious meal,” McWhorter says.