Your usual weekend pub grub and drinks may be a no-go right now, but no need to panic! We’ve got the deets on how you can nail your self-isolation meals and snacks while maintaining a healthy, balanced and enjoyable diet.

What is a good self-isolation diet?

Now, there’s no simple answer to this question because, the truth is, there’s a variety of different foods you can tuck into during self-isolation. Yes, what you can get your hands on may be a little more limited than usual, especially after a few days of being indoors, but that doesn’t mean mealtime has to be boring!

Here’s a few essential, non-perishable foods that are worth stocking up on ahead of self-isolation. Remember, if you absolutely can’t get out and about, then be sure to make the most of your local supermarket delivery services!

Non-perishable foods

• Tinned foods: think tinned meats and fish, fruit, vegetables, soups, stews, beans, gravy and sauces
• Dried grains, such as rice, quinoa, cous cous and pearl barley
• Pasta, noodles, crackers and rice cakes
• Peanut butter, nuts, chocolate spreads and, of course, Carb Killa® spread!
• Treats are a must! Biscuits, chocolate bars and protein bars are all ideal
• Spices and seasonings so you can add some excitement to your meals!

From the above list of non-perishable foods, there are a variety of easy, balanced recipes and snacks you can create. Here are a few examples:

Meals

• Tinned tuna and sweetcorn with pasta
• Spicy bean curry with rice and canned vegetables
• Tinned corned beef with cous cous and canned vegetables
• Tinned salmon with roasted tinned vegetables and canned potatoes

Snacks

• Rice cakes with peanut butter or Carb Killa® spread
• Beef jerky
• Tinned fruit salad
• Carb Killa® protein bars

Are non-perishable foods healthy?

Healthy eating needn’t be difficult just cos you don’t have access to fresh foods. However, one thing worth noting is the high-salt content sometimes found in non-perishable foods. This is often due to the fact that additional salt is needed to help preserve the food and keep it edible for longer however, it isn’t always the case with all non-perishable goods.

Diet essentials, such as fruit, vegetables, pulses and legumes are readily available in tins so you can still cram in your five a day without access to fresh foods.

How can I get my protein fix on a self-isolation diet?

You may not be able to get to the gym, but you can still maintain those gains by packing in the protein during your self-isolation. A high protein diet will also keep you feeling fuller for longer, essential when food supplies may be running lower than usual.

Non-perishable foods like tinned meats and fish, beans and legumes and protein bars and shakes are a great way for you to continue a healthy protein intake during self-isolation. Red meats and fish are all high in protein, while a daily protein shake could be a great addition to your diet if you’re struggling to get in as much protein as you’d like. No milk? Many protein shakes, including our Hydra 6® protein powder, can be mixed with water so you can still enjoy a post-home workout protein fix!

In need of a high protein snack to help you power through remote working or to fuel the errands you’ve promised you’ll get done during a rare stint at home? Carb Killa® bars are ideal and, with a shelf life of 12 months, they’ll see you through self-isolation. High protein snacks such as peanut butter or Carb Killa® spread on rice cakes, a handful of nuts or a bag of beef jerky are all also great to nibble on throughout the day.