Eating habits during the outbreak of the Corona Virus Disease (Covid-19) pandemic
Ideas to help your family maintain nutritious food
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the lives of families around the world since it began. Many parents find themselves stuck at home for most of the day, putting their energies into caring for children now that schools and childcare centers have closed, as well as doing full-time work and taking on other necessary responsibilities. The question, “What are we going to have for dinner?”, comes as another daily challenge.
What makes things even more difficult is the shopping panic and disruption to the food supply system, which means that some foods can no longer be found. Unemployment and loss of income for many people make buying food an additional financial challenge.
While many parents turn to ready meals and preserved foods as a quick and inexpensive way to feed the family, which is no doubt understandable, there are convenient, affordable and healthy alternatives.
Here are five ways to help feed your children a varied and rich diet that supports their growth and development, and contributes to building healthy eating habits in children.
5 tips for healthy eating
Keep eating fruits and vegetables
Buying, storing and cooking fresh vegetables can be challenging during lockdown, especially when parents have been advised to limit going outside. But it is important to make sure as much as possible that children constantly get an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables in their diet.
Every time you get fresh produce, do it. It is true that fruits and vegetables are eaten fresh, but freezing them is useful if possible, as they retain most of the nutrients and flavor. Using fresh vegetables to cook large quantities of soups, stews or other dishes makes them last longer, and provides more options for meals that can be eaten over a few days. Also, freezing these meals, when available, can be eaten later after a quick heating process.
Use healthy dried or canned foods as an alternative when fresh produce is not available
Fresh produce is always the best option, but when it's not available, there are plenty of healthy alternatives that are easy to store and prepare.
Canned beans and chickpeas can be stored for months or even years, and they contain huge amounts of nutrients, and they can be included in different meals in many ways. There are canned fish with useful oils such as sardines and tuna
And salmon, all of which are rich in proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, and a host of vitamins and minerals. They can be used cold in sandwiches or salads, with pasta dishes, or cooked as part of a hot meal.
It's true that canned vegetables, such as tomatoes, contain fewer vitamins than fresh ones, but they're a great option as a backup when fresh produce or frozen vegetables are hard to come by.
There are also dried goods such as beans and pulses, as well as grains such as lentils, green peas, rice, couscous, bulgur, freekeh and quinoa, all of which are nutritious, long-lasting, tasty and filling options at affordable prices. Oats can also be used as an excellent breakfast by adding milk or water or adding yogurt (yogurt) and dried fruits such as apricots, figs, dried prunes or raisins.
Preparing a variety of healthy snacks
Children often need to eat a snack or two during the day for energy. Instead of offering them sweets or salty snacks, go for healthier options, such as nuts or cheese, 'yogurt' (preferably without sweeteners), chopped and dried fruit, boiled eggs, tahini (sesame powder), or other healthy options. others available locally. These foods are nutritious and filling, and their use helps build healthy eating habits that will last a person's life.
Limit processed foods
Although using fresh produce may not always be possible, when you do your shopping try to limit the purchase of processed foods. Ready-to-eat meals, snacks, and desserts are often high in saturated fats, sugars, and salt. If you want to buy processed foods, read the specifications on the label and try to choose the healthiest of them all, which contain the least amount of preservatives. Also try to avoid sugary drinks, and drink plenty of water instead. You can add a piece of fruits or vegetables such as lemon slices of all kinds, cucumber, ginger, mint leaves or berries to the water, which is a great way to add a delicious flavor to the water.
for Central and North Africa
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Easy and healthy tips on eating habits during the COVID-19 pandemic
Ideas to help your family maintain nutritious food
UNICEF

UNICEF/Uruguay/2019/Pazos
Available with:
English
Arabic
02 April 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the lives of families around the world since it began.Many parents find themselves stuck at home for most of the day, putting their energies into caring for children now that schools and childcare centers have closed, as well as doing full-time work and taking on other necessary responsibilities. The question, “What are we going to have for dinner?”, comes as another daily challenge.
What makes things even more difficult is the shopping panic and disruption to the food supply system, which means that some foods can no longer be found. Unemployment and loss of income for many people make buying food an additional financial challenge.
While many parents turn to ready meals and preserved foods as a quick and inexpensive way to feed the family, which is no doubt understandable, there are convenient, affordable and healthy alternatives.
Here are five ways to help feed your children a varied and rich diet that supports their growth and development, and contributes to building healthy eating habits in children.
5 tips for healthy eating
Keep eating fruits and vegetables
Buying, storing and cooking fresh vegetables can be challenging during lockdown, especially when parents have been advised to limit going outside. But it is important to make sure as much as possible that children constantly get an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables in their diet.
Every time you get fresh produce, do it. It is true that fruits and vegetables are eaten fresh, but freezing them is useful if possible, as they retain most of the nutrients and flavor. Using fresh vegetables to cook large quantities of soups, stews or other dishes makes them last longer, and provides more options for meals that can be eaten over a few days. Also, freezing these meals, when available, can be eaten later after a quick heating process.
Use healthy dried or canned foods as an alternative when fresh produce is not available
Fresh produce is always the best option, but when it's not available, there are plenty of healthy alternatives that are easy to store and prepare.
Canned beans and chickpeas can be stored for months or even years, and they contain huge amounts of nutrients, and they can be included in different meals in many ways. There are canned fish with beneficial oils such as sardines, tuna and salmon, all of which are rich in proteins, omega-3 fatty acids and a range of vitamins and minerals. They can be used cold in sandwiches or salads, with pasta dishes, or cooked as part of a hot meal.
It's true that canned vegetables, such as tomatoes, contain fewer vitamins than fresh ones, but they're a great option as a backup when fresh produce or frozen vegetables are hard to come by.
There are also dried goods such as beans and pulses, as well as grains such as lentils, green peas, rice, couscous, bulgur, freekeh and quinoa, all of which are nutritious, long-lasting, tasty and filling options at affordable prices. Oats can also be used as an excellent breakfast by adding milk or water or adding yogurt (yogurt) and dried fruits such as apricots, figs, dried prunes or raisins.
Preparing a variety of healthy snacks
Children often need to eat a snack or two during the day for energy. Instead of offering them sweets or salty snacks, go for healthier options, such as nuts or cheese, 'yogurt' (preferably without sweeteners), chopped and dried fruit, boiled eggs, tahini (sesame powder), or other healthy options. others available locally. These foods are nutritious and filling, and their use helps build healthy eating habits that will last a person's life.
Limit processed foods
Although using fresh produce may not always be possible, when you do your shopping try to limit the purchase of processed foods. Ready-to-eat meals, snacks, and desserts are often high in saturated fats, sugars, and salt. If you want to buy processed foods, read the specifications on the label and try to choose the healthiest of them all, which contain the least amount of preservatives. Also try to avoid sugary drinks, and drink plenty of water instead. You can add a piece of fruits or vegetables such as lemon slices of all kinds, cucumber, ginger, mint leaves or berries to the water, which is a great way to add a delicious flavor to the water.
Make cooking and eating a fun and meaningful part of your family's routine
Cooking and eating together is a great way to get into a healthy routine, strengthen family bonds, and have fun. Involve your children in preparing food when possible. Younger children can help wash or sort food items, while older children can do more difficult tasks or help set the table.
As much as possible, try to stick to fixed times when the family eats meals together. Using these methods and routines helps reduce anxiety in children in these stressful situations.
Baby feeding advice
Breast milk remains a great food for children aged 6-24 months. Women with COVID-19 can breastfeed if they wish. However, they should use respiratory hygiene and protection while feeding and wear a face covering (muzzle) where available; wash their hands before and after touching the child; Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces that have been touched. If the mother is not in good health and is unable to breastfeed due to the virus or any other complications, we must support the mother to provide the newborn with breast milk in a safe manner by using any possible means to achieve this
Middle East and North Africa
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article
Easy and healthy tips on eating habits during the COVID-19 pandemic
Ideas to help your family maintain nutritious food
UNICEF

UNICEF/Uruguay/2019/Pazos
Available with:
English
Arabic
02 April 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the lives of families around the world since it began.Many parents find themselves stuck at home for most of the day, putting their energies into caring for children now that schools and childcare centers have closed, as well as doing full-time work and taking on other necessary responsibilities. The question, “What are we going to have for dinner?”, comes as another daily challenge.
What makes things even more difficult is the shopping panic and disruption to the food supply system, which means that some foods can no longer be found. Unemployment and loss of income for many people make buying food an additional financial challenge.
While many parents turn to ready meals and preserved foods as a quick and inexpensive way to feed the family, which is no doubt understandable, there are convenient, affordable and healthy alternatives.
Here are five ways to help feed your children a varied and rich diet that supports their growth and development, and contributes to building healthy eating habits in children.
5 tips for healthy eating
Keep eating fruits and vegetables
Buying, storing and cooking fresh vegetables can be challenging during lockdown, especially when parents have been advised to limit going outside. But it is important to make sure as much as possible that children constantly get an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables in their diet.
Every time you get fresh produce, do it. It is true that fruits and vegetables are eaten fresh, but freezing them is useful if possible, as they retain most of the nutrients and flavor. Using fresh vegetables to cook large quantities of soups, stews or other dishes makes them last longer, and provides more options for meals that can be eaten over a few days. Also, freezing these meals, when available, can be eaten later after a quick heating process.
Use healthy dried or canned foods as an alternative when fresh produce is not available
Fresh produce is always the best option, but when it's not available, there are plenty of healthy alternatives that are easy to store and prepare.
Canned beans and chickpeas can be stored for months or even years, and they contain huge amounts of nutrients, and they can be included in different meals in many ways. There are canned fish with beneficial oils such as sardines, tuna and salmon, all of which are rich in proteins, omega-3 fatty acids and a range of vitamins and minerals. They can be used cold in sandwiches or salads, with pasta dishes, or cooked as part of a hot meal.
It's true that canned vegetables, such as tomatoes, contain fewer vitamins than fresh ones, but they're a great option as a backup when fresh produce or frozen vegetables are hard to come by.
There are also dried goods such as beans and pulses, as well as grains such as lentils, green peas, rice, couscous, bulgur, freekeh and quinoa, all of which are nutritious, long-lasting, tasty and filling options at affordable prices. Oats can also be used as an excellent breakfast by adding milk or water or adding yogurt (yogurt) and dried fruits such as apricots, figs, dried prunes or raisins.
Preparing a variety of healthy snacks
Children often need to eat a snack or two during the day for energy. Instead of offering them sweets or salty snacks, go for healthier options, such as nuts or cheese, 'yogurt' (preferably without sweeteners), chopped and dried fruit, boiled eggs, tahini (sesame powder), or other healthy options. others available locally. These foods are nutritious and filling, and their use helps build healthy eating habits that will last a person's life.
Limit processed foods
Although using fresh produce may not always be possible, when you do your shopping try to limit the purchase of processed foods. Ready-to-eat meals, snacks, and desserts are often high in saturated fats, sugars, and salt. If you want to buy processed foods, read the specifications on the label and try to choose the healthiest of them all, which contain the least amount of preservatives. Also try to avoid sugary drinks, and drink plenty of water instead. You can add a piece of fruits or vegetables such as lemon slices of all kinds, cucumber, ginger, mint leaves or berries to the water, which is a great way to add a delicious flavor to the water.
Make cooking and eating a fun and meaningful part of your family's routine
Cooking and eating together is a great way to get into a healthy routine, strengthen family bonds, and have fun. Involve your children in preparing food when possible. Younger children can help wash or sort food items, while older children can do more difficult tasks or help set the table.
As much as possible, try to stick to fixed times when the family eats meals together. Using these methods and routines helps reduce anxiety in children in these stressful situations.
Baby feeding advice
Breast milk remains a great food for children aged 6-24 months. Women with COVID-19 can breastfeed if they wish. However, they should use respiratory hygiene and protection while feeding and wear a face covering (muzzle) where available; wash their hands before and after touching the child; Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces that have been touched. If the mother is not in good health and is unable to breastfeed due to the virus or any other complications, we must support the mother to provide the newborn with breast milk in a safe manner by using any possible means to achieve this.
Food hygiene advice during the COVID-19 outbreak
While there is currently no evidence that food or food packaging is associated with the transmission of coronavirus disease (Covid-19), it is possible for a person to become infected by touching a surface or object contaminated with the virus and then touching their face. However, the risk is greater when people converge while shopping for food or while taking a food order home. As always, good hygiene when handling food is very important to prevent foodborne illness.
Remove any unnecessary packaging and dispose of it in a trash can with a lid. Packages such as cans can be wiped with a disinfectant before opening or storing. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use alcohol-based sanitizing gels immediately afterward.
Thoroughly wash unpackaged produce, such as fruits and vegetables, under running water.
General food hygiene advice
Wash your hands well with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before preparing any food.
Designate cutting boards for raw meat and fish
Make sure to cook food to the recommended temperature.
Keep perishable items refrigerated or frozen, if available, and pay attention to product expiration dates.
Take care to recycle (where this service is available) or dispose of food waste and packaging in appropriate and hygienic ways, and avoid the accumulation of waste that can attract pests.
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before eating and make sure your children do the same.
Always use clean utensils and dishes.
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