This is what you should be buying at the grocery store during the coronavirus outbreak

While social distancing may be the priority in light of the novel coronavirus pandemic, we all still need to eat.

When you do get to the grocery store, there are certain items you can buy to have on hand to help you avoid multiple trips.

According to a column by Lisa Akly, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Prisma Health Heart Hospital, shoppers can help avoid spreading the virus by changing how we grocery shop. Shopping smart can also prevent hoarding and shelves from being emptied as soon as they're stocked, allowing everyone access to food.

Akly shared some simple, healthy fridge, freezer and pantry items to put on your list to ensure you have a well-balanced supply of food items without having to hoard specific types of food.

Fridge and freezer items

• Milk, yogurt and cheese or non-dairy alternative that last longer
• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Frozen fruits and vegetables, which last longer. Make sure they are without salty sauces
• Frozen lean proteins like fish fillets and skinless chicken
• Whole eggs in the shell last about three weeks after purchase
• Frozen meals - make sure they contain less than 600 milligrams of sodium per serving

Pantry items

• Dry beans
• Nuts and seeds
• Canned beans and vegetables, preferably with no added salt
• Old-fashioned rolled oats or other types of high-fiber, low-sugar cereals
• Whole grain breads, rice, crackers, pasta
• Low-sodium broths and/or tomato products
• Canned lean proteins like tuna, salmon, sardines or chicken

Food safety tips

• Food should not be left out of the fridge at room temperature for more than two hours.
• Leftovers will keep for up to four to five days in the refrigerator.
• Leftovers will keep for up to six months in the freezer. Freeze in realistic portions, not one large chunk, for your and your family for easy and safe reheating.
• If you are unsure of the safety of a food item you have, it is best to throw it away.