Safety tips for grocery shopping during COVID-19 pandemic

With the state-wide stay-in-shelter order to limit the spread of the coronavirus, leaving the house for essential business should be planned out. Here are some tips to make your grocery shopping safer and more efficient:

1. Plan ahead. Check your inventory in the refrigerator, freezer and pantry, then make a list of needed items. Try to shop for at least 2 weeks worth of food to limit your trips outside the house.
2. Consider buying produce that last longer, such as beets, cabbage, carrots and kale.
3. Use a grocery delivery service. Other than Amazon, many local grocery stores offer delivery options. Even some restaurants are offering some produce and dairy items with take-out orders.
4. Go when it’s less busy. During this pandemic, it is usually less busy later in the day.
5. Bring your own disinfecting wipes to clean your hands before and after shopping as well as to wipe down the carts.
6. Remove the bags and wrappers from items, and wipe down cans and jars when you get home.
7. Wash hands, your clothes and reusable grocery bags when you get home.
8. Leave your shoes in the garage or outside to avoid tracking the dirt and germs into the house.

Here’s your chance to get creative with your cooking. Many of the items may not be readily available so use this opportunity to experiment with substitutions. Also, continue reading our blog for braces-friendly recipes. Please share your ideas with us, your local Fountain Valley orthodontic team, via email (team@theorthobee.com) or on Facebook.