How to Food Shop During a Global Pandemic?
Due to the current coronavirus pandemic, billions of people rushed to stores to panic buy almost everything in stock. Pasta, toilet roll, and paracetamol became bestsellers overnight. But do we really need dozens of cans, hundreds of boxes of pasta, and thousands of loo rolls to survive? Of course not!
You will be surprised how little you need to survive, even if you spend 14 days in quarantine. We are here to help. This calculator will tell you how to shop wisely so you feel safe — without contributing to global hysteria.
How to Shop During the Pandemic
- Create a shopping list and stick to it — buy only what you need.
- Don't buy everything you see — just because something is in stock doesn't mean you need it.
- Don't follow and copy others — other people's panic is not your guide.
- Choose products with a long use-by date: wholemeal pasta, brown rice, UHT milk, seeds, grains, and legumes.
- Don't stock up on unhealthy snacks — you'll eat them all quickly if you stay home!
- Be careful with perishable foods — check use-by dates and plan realistically.
- Wear a mask when shopping to protect yourself and others.
Is There Anything Else We Need?
Check if you have all necessary toiletries and medication. Add a product to your list only if it is actually running out. For medication, check that you have all prescribed drugs plus a basic medical kit (pain killers, plasters, thermometer). If you have small children, stock up on nappies, baby food, and child-appropriate medication — but be rational!
Helping Stop the Hysteria — What NOT to Buy
- Excessive soap and hand sanitizers. Buy enough for your household, but leave some for everyone else.
- Every over-the-counter medication. A basic first aid kit is enough — don't strip pharmacy shelves.
- Toilet paper. You do not need years' worth of toilet paper. Use a toilet paper calculator to find out exactly how many rolls you need.
- Bottled water. If your tap water is safe to drink, use it. Save money and your back.
- Food that could feed several families for years. Use this calculator instead.
Our Quarantine Food Calculator
Enter the number of men, women, and children in your household and the number of days you want to stock up for. The calculator will generate a personalized shopping list with quantities for each food category, packaging counts, and an estimated budget in your preferred currency.
Note: Children older than 10 should be counted as adults. The values for children in this calculator are approximate — parents should use their judgment based on their child's age and appetite.
Meal Plan for a Survivor
The calculator is based on standard nutritional guidelines:
- Adult men: ~2,500 kcal/day
- Adult women: ~2,000 kcal/day
- Children (under 10): ~1,700 kcal/day
Food categories included: grains (pasta, rice, oats), protein (canned beans, lentils, fish), UHT milk, eggs, canned and frozen vegetables and fruit, cooking oil, and drinking water. The estimated cost is based on approximate average supermarket prices and will vary by region.
Important Websites
- WHO — Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
- CDC — Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- FDA — Food Safety and COVID-19