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Here’s The Smart Way To Stock Up Your Pantry During MCO

Apr 06, 2020

Getting sufficient groceries is something that many Malaysians are concerned about during the MCO.

This is why it is important that we make the best of the ingredients that we manage to get our hands on.

Image: Alamy Stock Photo

We spoke to Rozanna M. Rosly, Clinical Dietitian and Dietetic Manager at the UM Specialist Centre, who gave us some handy strategies:

“Freeze or blend fruits into ice cubes, smoothies, home-made ice-cream, or puddings. Keep onions and garlic in the freezer, or put them in a bottle of oil or vinegar for flavouring and to keep it longer. Leftover fruits or vegetables can be infused in water or used to make acar or kerabu. After boiling barley, the leftover barley beans can be added to dishes to increase fibre. Blend herbs and spices into pesto paste and keep in freezer bags. Store fresh vegetables, fruits or herbs in air-tight containers or wrap them in paper to retain moisture”

Rozanna also advises against stocking up on too many unhealthy snacks...which should only be limited to once or twice a week.

She says we should be more mindful of what we eat, especially since we’re spending long hours indoors without much physical activity:

 “Portion control- keep snacks in small bags. Try to maintain 3 main meals and have fruits or vegetables as snacks. Drink plenty of herb, vegetables or fruit-infused water, soups or broth, so you can stay full longer.”

Image: The Flexible Chef

Rozanna also shares some cost-effective ways for you to eat well during MCO:

“Boil meat or seafood into a broth, which can be re-used for stir-fried rice, noodles or pasta. For leftover dishes – chop them up to use in fried rice or noodles, or use them to make an omelette, or mince to use as a topping for oats, rice porridge or soup. Use crunched, grounded or roasted cornflakes or oats as breadcrumbs for coating meat, fish or vegetables”

Image: maroke/Shutterstock

This could be an opportunity for you to save some money and explore your home kitchen — possibly for the first time ever... and most importantly…don’t succumb to panic buying!