How To Cope With Food Shortages During A Pandemic
The food shortages in the UK during the Coronavirus crisis are not due to a broken supply chain or production issues.
The empty shelves we see in the stores are a result of people panic buying more than they need and hoarding supplies.
Some people are buying in bulk so that they can price gauge these products and sell them at a mark up to desperate people. Never encourage price gauging, by buying from people hoping to make a quick buck.
Things are not that desperate yet and their greed is just not worth your time or money. No matter how difficult life may seem right now!
The empty shelves are just a temporary inconvenience. In fact, lorries are still transporting supplies and the shelves are being stocked even as you read this.
Quotas are being enforced to limit how many essential items every customer can buy. So, there’s no need to panic that you’ll die of starvation. If people act sensibly, then there is more than enough food to feed everyone.
In the meantime, here’s a few ideas on how to cope with food shortages during a pandemic and ensure that you don’t end up with nutrient deficiencies…
1. Get Supplements
We need food for nutrients and quality of life. It’s as basic as that. If there’s insufficient food, supplements will help to take up the slack.
In fact, even with food, supplements are crucial because our foods are low in nutrients due to intensive farming on nutrient-depleted soils.
So, pick up a multivitamin, a greens supplement, some fish oil pills, garlic oil, magnesium, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin D3, curcumin, coconut oil, etc.
Since many places are on lockdown and self-isolation is required, so vitamin D is especially important if you don’t get enough sunlight.
Bodybuilding supplements like whey protein, egg protein, BCAAs, etc. are all useful. Most people do not look to these as a source of food…and yet they can be used to replace meals too.
Only eat protein bars etc if you can`t get access to natural quality whole foods first. The word “supplement” means just that.
2. Protein Beats Carbs
Your body can survive without carbs, but you need protein and fats. So, if there’s canned food like sardines, beans, etc. get those.
Your goal should be to buy foods that are high in protein. You can get your fats from coconut oil or olive oil. Carbs should be an afterthought. Buy foods based on good nutrition, not taste! Foods that will boost your immune system and help fight off viruses and disease.
Very often, people try to stock up on pasta, rice, bread, instant noodles, etc. These are unnecessary carbs that lead to obesity or digestive issues. We’re in a pandemic now. It’s time to wean yourself off your carbs and get lean.
The silver lining to this COVID-19 cloud is that you finally have all the necessary conditions to accelerate weight loss.
3. Intermittent Fasting
Here’s the truth – if the shelves are empty and it’s going to be a few days before the food arrives, you can’t eat like you’ve been accustomed to.
Aim for just one meal a day. Don’t worry, you won’t perish! In fact, your body will begin a process of self-cleansing and you’ll actually feel better.
Even if all you did was go on a water fast for 5 days, you’d be fine. (that`s a little extreme..but you get my drift).
What I mean is if you go through a period of detoxing and ate less junk for a while, you’ll experience increased mental clarity, more energy and a pleasant feeling of ‘lightness’. You’ll also feel great!
All hunger pangs usually disappear after the 3rd day anyhow.
4. Ration Your Foods
Take stock of the food you have and make a weekly plan as to how you’ll ration it among your family members. Eating blindly without concern will put you in a situation where you may not have enough.
5. Shop When You Can
Even if it means waking up at 6.00am to join a supermarket queue, do it. Family members can take turns daily to do some shopping. While you shouldn’t be hoarding, you should at least have enough food to last you and your family for 3 days.
Just by buying a little extra each time, you’ll be able to meet your requirements. Most importantly, you must have a plan. Don’t end up having a pantry that only has chocolate biscuits and canned fruit.
6. Order Your Groceries Online
There may be some hiccups and your orders may get cancelled, or the inventory may have sold out. Nevertheless, be persistent. Things are getting better now and you should be able to get an order through sooner or later.
Shopping online is easier and you’ll have food stores to tie you over if there happen to be any shortages at the brick and mortar supermarkets.
The Coronavirus pandemic is NOT World War 3. There’s no destruction of supply lines or amenities.
Everything is still functioning, just at a slower rate because of the lockdowns and other measures. Hoarding and panic buying will not help you or anyone else during this situation.
Keep a level mind and buy what you need and just a little bit extra to last for 3 days. That should more than suffice.
Eat one decent nourishing meal a day and look at this period as an opportunity to lose weight and get fitter. Focus on taking care of yourself both physically and mentally.
We all have a lot of spare time on our hands right now, so now is as good a time as any.