The past few months have been a little crazy as we try to get the pandemic known as COVID-19 under control. Many people went into quarantine to some degree, only leaving the house for work or to go buy essential items such as groceries, and while things have loosened up around the country, there are still many people who are struggling as we try to get back to some sort of normalcy. One of the most difficult things about living through a pandemic, whether you’re quarantining and working from home or not, is eating healthy. It can be hard to stick to healthy eating habits when you’re stuck at home or can’t see your friends and family, so here are a few healthy eating tips.

Hydrate

One of the most important aspects of healthy eating is making sure you stay hydrated. Everyone needs to drink water, and the amount you need everyday usually varies based on factors such as age, weight, sex and the amount of physical activity you partake in among a few other things. A lot of foods we eat give us some of that water we need but it’s never enough. If you have access to safe tap water, that’s one of the best ways to stay hydrated. If not, look into buying a filter system for your faucet, or buy a pitcher that has a filter built in. You’ll be hydrated in no time!

Portion Sizes

One of the hardest parts about cooking from home is controlling your portion sizes. You want to make sure you’re getting enough food and not overeating, and the correct portion size typically varies from food to food. It’s understandable if you make a whole bunch of food because you don’t want something to go bad or for other reasons, but remember that you don’t need to eat it all in one sitting. Make your food, figure out the correct portion size, and then save the rest for another day if you can.

Fruits and Veggies

Some of the most important foods you should be eating are your fruits and vegetables. They give us vitamins, minerals and fiber, all important things our body needs in order to avoid illness and stay healthy. You should be trying to eat at least 5 portions of fruits and veggies every day, and they can be frozen, fresh, canned, dried or juiced. It’s also best to have a variety of fruits and veggies and not the same thing all day long, that way you’re making sure you get everything you need.