How to Stay Home and Maintain Health
I’m not going to the grocery stores often these days and if I am I focus on non perishable foods. That means a lot of non-fresh food like canned tuna, dry goods, packaged goods. And 2020 was supposed to be my year! Eat fresh, eat healthy, right? But I decided that I wasn’t going to allow eating fresh and eating healthy to be mutually exclusive. I can be healthy AND eat what non perishables. So I decided to focus on my nutrition and protein in-take. This would 1) help me have enough energy for the kids 2) make sure I don’t gain a lot of weight (I’m realistic, there may be SOME weight gain because carb life is real when it comes to non perishables. So this what I’m doing so far:
Tracking calories and macronutrients
I use Chronometer to track everything I eat. Now, I know that sounds tedious but if you have ever felt the day is going slow while staying at home, tracking will pad your time, keeps you occupied and helps a greater cause. Also there is a bar code scanner that makes it easy and already has preloaded food! Data is powerful. Once I started tracking after a week, I was be able to clearly see my problem areas. Was I eating too many carbs? My tracking will told me which foods to cut. Did I feel sluggish? My tracking told me what percentage of macronutrients I was and wasn’t getting. That knowledge helped me to make more informed decisions on what and how I ate. If you try this out, be sure to check in with your doctor on any dieting you plan to do.
Taking supplements (advise your doctor first!)
Based on my tracking I knew I needed more protein in my diet. I’m eating less meat because of less grocery shopping but this could also apply to vegan or vegetarian diet, you may need to consider this option to ensure you have all the nutrition that you need in your diet.
Taking vitamins
Multi or Prenatal
If you are breastfeeding, then take a multivitamin or prenatal vitamin. It’s helpful and often doctor recommended but of course check with your doctor.
Calcium
I think about osteoporosis quite a bit. I don’t eat a lot of dairy and I’m not as active as I should be. Also I remember my doctor telling me how much calcium is depleted when you are pregnant. So with that all in mind, I take a calcium vitamin in addition to my multi vitamin. Again, the tracking is crucial, I only take a calcium vitamin if I know that I won’t hit the daily requirement. Track yours before you decide to to do this and be sure to check in with your doctor (I’m a broken record on this point but it’s important not only for “liability” but also because everyone’s body is different and there may be conditions or medicine an individual is taking and you don’t want to work against yourself!)
So what have you been doing? Have you been working out? I still haven’t figured that out at home so any tips or suggestions are very much appreciated!