What to look for when shopping
When preparing for an emergency, there are two main things you will be buying or gathering. Food and water. Obviously, we can’t survive without either one of these, so they are important resources.
With that said, it is very difficult to know what kind of foods are needed and how much people need. This article will go into more detail about some basic foods that most people agree you should always have in your home. Then, I will talk about some special nutritional supplements that may help keep your healthy as possible during this time.
Afterward, I will discuss some easy ways to make sure you are never out of food while also making sure you are getting enough nutrition. We will then move onto talking about why having lots of different types of fruits and vegetables is important. Finally, I will review some recipes and tips for those who want to get creative with their eating habits.
So, let’s dive in!
What it means to be shelf-stable or non-perishable
Being shelf stable does not mean that these foods will never taste good nor do they keep for very long, but they can!
Shelf stability refers to how well a food keeps at room temperature in the presence of other foods. These foods are considered durable or longer lasting because they need to stay edible for longer than fresh foods.
Some examples of foods that are shelf stable include dried fruits and veggies, pasta dishes (chicken or veggie fettuccine bolognese is fine!), canned vegetables and meats, and pickled items (gherkins, carrots, etc.).
These things will last for years if stored properly!
Food list
Having enough food is an important part of being prepared for any situation. Luckily, there are lots of ways to gather what you need without having to spend a large sum of money or take up too much space.
Most people start by buying dried foods such as pasta dishes and snacks. These are usually not expensive to buy and can be re-hydrated and cooked later.
Some other things that most people include in their long term supplies are dried fruits and vegetables. Not only do these pack well, they also aid in nutritional intake when needed.
Many people add meats to this category as well. Buying raw meat is very expensive unless you know how to prepare it yourself.
Certain types of nuts and seeds are good additions to your food storage as well. They all help promote health and are cost effective.
Canned Prepper Foods
While some might argue that dried foods are more practical, there is no doubt that canned goods play an important part in any serious preparedness plan. Not only do they last longer than most people realize, but many varieties can also be considered advanced nutritional resources!
A lot of people focus too much energy on stocking up on expensive packaged meals or supplements, while completely forgetting about the staple foods like fruits and vegetables and meats you will need to survive.
Stocking up on these foods may feel wasteful at first, but they offer us valuable benefits later. They increase your intake of key nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and calories, help restore natural balance to your body, and serve as filling nourishment after long periods without eating.
There are several reasons why having a large supply of nutritious canned foods is essential for surviving a disaster. Here are five of the biggest ones. Read on to learn more about them.
Jars
Having enough glass jars to organize your foods is a very important part of being prepared. While some may consider it expensive, they are easy to find at cheap prices or free in return for donating them to a cause.
Most people have lots of empty plastic containers already, so using these things to store your foods can save you money making it more cost-effective overall!
You will want to be sure to research which size jar is best for each type of item being stored. For example, if storing butter, choose heavy duty ones that will last longer. Storing dried fruits and vegetables like carrots and potatoes, light weight ones work well.
To make transferring items easier, use lids that fit properly and do not stick when closed. Also, remember to wash all of your cans and bottles you use for food storage before putting them away to avoid any bad tastes or chemicals.
Keeping track of what sizes you have used up is also important as you start organizing new supplies. You can use small notes next to each container with the exact size written down to help recall how much space something took up.
The colors and styles of jars matter too, make certain to evaluate both those factors and which one(s) works best for your organization.
General tips: When washing dishes, try to hang dry instead of placing in the sink or dishwasher. This way you are saving water and energy too! Avoid buying paper plates unless there is no other option, this adds
Grains, Starches, and Other Carbs
Grains are one of the most important foods for survival during a crisis or even everyday life. They are a major source of energy for your body to use to function properly.
Grains can be categorized as either whole grains or processed carbs. Whole grains are just that – entire grain units such as wheat, rice, oats, and barley. These are more expensive than processed carbs like bread, pasta, and crackers, but they pack in much more nutritional value per cost.
Processed carbs are usually made from white flour which is stripped down to only carbohydrates and protein. Due to their lower nutritional content, these chips and cookies are less costly than a slice of toast with butter. However, they may not be as filling due to the missing nutrition.
Some people argue that eating too many processed carbs can contribute to weight gain, so staying away from them until after survival training is recommended. This is particularly true in times of stress when your metabolism slows down.
General guidelines suggest two cups (50 grams) of cooked grains each day for men and 1 cup (25 grams) per day for women. Three cups equals one-quarter of a batch, or a quarter bag!
Protein Foods
Proteins are the building blocks of all living things, from bacteria to humans. We get protein by eating foods that contain it or ingesting proteins we make ourselves.
Proteins come in many forms such as meat, fish, milk, eggs, cheese, peanut butter, etc. They can be consumed raw or cooked and either source (animal-based) or neutral (vegetable-derived).
Some people have a preference for one type of protein over another. This isn’t necessarily an indicator of health benefits, but rather personal taste.
A high proportion of dietary protein is associated with higher rates of bone loss and fracture. However, some studies suggest that older individuals may prefer lower proportions of protein in their diets due to poor appetite.
This depends upon individual nutritional needs as well as personal preferences. As long as you don’t suffer from nutrient deficiency, then limiting your intake of protein is not recommended.
Instead, try to achieve adequate nutrition by including more vegetables and/or fruits in your diet, and reduce the amount of processed foods. Avoid sugar too!
Dehydrated and Freeze-Dried
One of the most important foods to have before a major disaster is either dried or freeze-dried food. These are typically packaged as individual meals or complete diets that you can ingest directly.
A lot of people start off buying some kind of backpacker diet, which is almost exclusively potatoes and pasta since these are easy to pack in bulk. After eating only those things for a week, they wonder why they’re not getting much nutrition!
The reason this isn’t very healthy is because too many carbs can quickly raise insulin levels, which can then lead to glucose being stored instead of used for energy. This can eventually cause weight gain, especially if you’re already overweight.
Carbs are also one of the main ingredients in most processed foods, so by having none, you’re reducing your exposure to both. Not to mention, it’s just plain boring!
Other Crucial Stocks
Having enough food to eat is one of the most important things you can prepare for as an apocalyptic survivor. Luckily, there are some easy ways to improve your diet while also ensuring you have sufficient nutrition to survive.
You do not need very many foods to be able to survive. In fact, according to expert survivalists, people with relatively simple diets were more likely to live through a catastrophe than those who did not remain sane. This is because they knew how to make the best of what resources they had available to them.
General recommendations include fruits, vegetables, meats, bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes. While it may sound like a lot, you only really need a few pieces of each of these products to satisfy your nutritional needs.
Many of us get too focused on trying to add extra flavor or variety to our meals that we forget about just eating something nutritious instead. A basic way to remember this tip is to “eat, sleep, and drink” by giving yourself adequate rest, keeping yourself nourished, and drinking plenty of water.