Planning Is Vital For Those With Food Sensitivities/Allergies
When you have a food sensitivity, planning becomes even more important during any major natural disaster. As I write this, many of us are under Shelter in Place, Self Isolation or Stay At Home Orders. Availability to groceries is limited as shelves after shelves remains sparse. This, despite the tireless efforts of the brave grocery store workers. The paucity of food is enough to throw anyone’s diet off. For the 1% of people that may have a sulfite sensitivity, like myself, it is frankly terrifying. We can’t just eat what we find without the real risk of getting sick.
Living in Texas, we are often subjected to the threat of hurricanes. I didn’t know it all these years, but preparing for hurricanes has helped prepare me for being ready for the Coronavirus. Countless times, I have had to gather food as hurricanes ominously approach our shores. Over the years I have learned to shop early, keep supplies year around and focus on versatile food options.
There Are Good Options Out There. Let Me Share Some Of My Staples
I’m happy to share my finds with you. Some of these are not necessarily shelf-stable or perishable but can stay in the fridge for extended periods or can be frozen. This isn’t reliable during a hurricane, but for the Stay At Home Order, it works.
Remember, not all of my suggestions are sulfite-free as my tolerance may be different than yours. Refer to my list of Hidden Sulfites for ingredients that may be in packaged foods.
Breakfast:
Eggs and toast – (Large pack of eggs from Costco and Bread can be frozen)
Oatmeal
Toast with peanut butter
Cereal with milk or dairy alternative (find one without xantham gum)
Homemade Pancakes
Avocado toast
Lunch:
Sandwiches (both sandwich meat and cheese can be frozen, mustard is nonperishable)
Salad (technically not shelf-stable or nonperishable but I find that salad and lettuce are amply available in stores)
Tuna Sandwich
Peanut butter, banana sandwich
Dinner: Rice and Beans Chicken, Brown Rice and any vegetable (Stores are pretty low on frozen vegetables so I buy fresh produce and freeze it myself) Fish, quinoa and any vegetable Pasta and Marinara sauce (look for noodles and shells that are sulfite free) Homemade Indian Food (Dry Lentils last for a long long time)
Snacks:
Fruit/baby carrots
Avocado Toast
Yogurt with berries
Granola (look for brands without walnuts)
Protein Bars (I like Pure Protein and Zone Perfect)
Any Nut Butter and crackers without sulfites
A few words about hoarding versus preparing
Some folks are clearing out the grocery store shelves with anything and everything they can find. Those that are on the frontlines are often left with little choice by the time they can go to the store after their shift. People with food allergies or parents who are responsible for feeding their child with a food sensitivity or allergy are often left helpless. Powers that be continue to assure us that grocery stores will stay open. Perhaps we should all plan to buy enough for a week or two. If we all do this, there might be enough to go around, especially for the most vulnerable population.
A few more words about social distancing
My last two posts have been about the importance of social distancing. The better job we do at social distancing, staying home and isolating those that are sick, the sooner this will be over. The general population may not be able to assist those on the frontlines, but you can help them by following the Stay Home Orders. For everyone that doesn’t pass on Coronavirus is potentially several hundred that may not get sick. For every person that doesn’t get sick, we have more resources that get deathly ill.
Lastly, But Not Least – Practice Good Self-Care
Don’t forget that this is a marathon. We don’t know if we are still in the front half or second half. I suspect the starting line is not that far behind us. If the estimates from the health pundits are correct, we may only be getting started. We need to pace ourselves and practice good self-care.
I’d love to hear from you about some good Sulfite Free Shelf Stable finds. Email or post a comment if you’d like to share!
