It’s easy to add lots of canned goods to your cart at a store, but they don’t stay fresh very long.
If you are going to be able to use those foods within a year, that is okay, but if you plan to use them in the next few months, it is better to go into a supply shop or grocery outlet where you can check out what there is and how much of it they have.
You should also look online for lists of things to keep safe during an emergency. Many sites list all the products they think people will need and some sort of buying guide or tips on using them.
Prioritize water and store it safely
Having enough water is essential to survive an emergency situation. Unfortunately, many people are not aware of how important this liquid is when displaced.
If someone does not have access to water, they will begin to suffer from dehydration. This can be as simple as giving them a glass of their favorite beverage or putting together a solution to help them drink some amount of water.
Water is key in helping your body regulate temperature, aid in digestion, and keep you awake. If you watch television, use the washing machine, take a shower, or perform other activities that require water, make sure you know where yours is stored!
Check out our article about how to conserve water for more tips. For now, focus on stocking up on water so you’re never at a loss.
Buy in bulk
Having enough food to last you for several weeks is one of the biggest financial commitments that most people make at some point during their lives.
We’ve all heard stories of people who run out of food due to a bad harvest or poor grocery store supply, but we don’t usually hear about how expensive it can be to fill your cupboard with nutritious foods.
It costs no more than a few dollars per day to feed yourself healthfully, which makes running out of money very frustrating.
Fortunately, there are ways to save money by stocking up on healthy snacks and meals. One of our favorite easy recipes is for Muffin-Cake Oatmeal!
So what are some sneaky ways to buy lots of food for not too much money? Buying in bulk is one of the best things you can do as a savvy shopper.
Bulk buying was popularized back in the 1980s when stores would offer large discounts on items if you bought a certain amount. This made sense, because while you may have paid just as much for a single item, you got many more pieces of the same product!
Today, companies use the term “bulk buyer” to describe people who purchase large quantities of products. You get the same quality of product, and since they know you will renew your subscription soon, they keep the price low.
The trick is to find sites that offer huge savings on wholesome food.
Food to stock up on for emergency use
It is very important to always be prepared for any situation. Luckily, this article will help you as we will discuss all of the things you can stockpile for your family’s nutrition needs during an emergency.
First, let us talk about some general tips that apply to anyone reading this. During an emergency, it is difficult to find nutritious foods that are in limited supply. This is particularly true if there is no way to cook these foods or they are expensive to buy.
The best tip here is to try to organize what supplies you have into one category: water, nutritional supplements, carbs, meat, and greens.
Water is essential to overall health, especially when there may not be easy access to it. Carbs such as pasta and rice are great sources of energy for most people, which is why having enough accessible carbs is important. A good source of protein is also helpful for keeping your body strong.
Tofu is probably one of the most underappreciated foods in the vegetarian community. While many people think of tofu as only being a dessert ingredient, it can be used to make anything from vegetable stir-fry dishes to lunch bowls! It can even be sautéed and served as a side item.
There is nothing wrong with eating fruits and vegetables when you normally would. Having a variety of different colors and shapes helps promote optimal health.
Include seeds for sprouting
Sprouting is a great way to start eating more nutritious foods, particularly during times of limited access to regular nutrition. Sprouts are nutrient-rich little plants that grow rapidly in the presence of nutrients.
Many people begin sprouting as an easy way to enjoy sprouted breads and other snacks. However, there’s much you can do with them!
Sproutable items include all sorts of things like broccoli leaves, sunflower or pumpkin seeds, wheat berries, lentils, etc. The best place to store your sprouts will depend on the plant type.
General tips when sprouting: Use a glass jar with a lid, cover the top loosely, and check every few days to see if they have started growing. Once they are a couple of weeks old, soak some dried milk powder into the mixture and cook the sprouts in it.
Stock up on longer-lasting fresh items when possible
While it is great to go into stores during an emergency and buy lots of products, this can sometimes contribute to higher costs later!
It is important to remember that many of these items will not last very long once they are open. The most cost efficient way to survive a disaster is by stocking up on longer lasting foods, such as fruits and vegetables.
These foods may be more expensive at first, but they will not run out quickly. They will keep your stomach full for longer which helps promote growth too!
There are several ways to store large quantities of nutritious foods. Paper bags or plastic storage containers with tight lids are the best types of bins to use. Make sure to organize each item properly so you know what each one is.
Rotate food rations
Stocking up on foods that will last a few weeks is your next step to having an adequate supply of food!
One important thing about stocking up is rotation. This means changing what you have in your diet every couple of days. You can use this as a way to give your body time to find new ways to eat the same food type, or to help keep nutritional levels steady.
For example, if you are eating one meal per day made of chicken, try switching it up each week by having either fish with potatoes and broccoli or turkey and carrots. Yours may be different, so experiment and rotate!
You can also switch up the types of vegetables you have in your snack. For instance, have some raw veggies like cucumber or carrot sticks, then have a handful of nuts or dried fruits.
Having these changes helps your body get used to the flavor and texture of the new vegetable or meat type. It takes around a week until your digestive system no longer notes any difference and therefore doesn’t make sure to chew enough to obtain necessary vitamins and minerals.
Weekly grocery shopping
Another good tip is to spend one full morning (or afternoon) at least once a week going through your cupboards and fridge/freezer and throwing out items you don’t need anymore.
Why You Should Create an Emergency Food Stockpile
In this era of instant information, it is easy to get distracted and forget what things you should have on hand to lead a healthy life.
Having enough food to last for several days can help you feel more relaxed and confident in your diet. It also helps ensure that you don’t go hungry which could potentially pose health risks.
While most people agree that we should try to eat foods that are wholesome and nutritious, there is no agreement about how much nutrition our bodies require. Some experts suggest that only limited numbers of foods are needed to meet our nutritional needs.
Another reason to keep a supply of food at home is so you won’t be forced to buy something expensive or unhealthy when you decide to eat out one night.
Stockpiling Success
Stocking up is not just about having enough food, it’s about knowing what to eat while you have it. While some people focus too much on buying lots of expensive brands, we suggest staying within your budget but also exploring the best foods that nature has provided for us.
We have discussed before how important it is to know where your next meal will come from, if something happens, like an earthquake or hurricane hit or you run out of money, but now we are talking about stocking up beyond just hunger!
You should be thinking ahead to all potential disasters, not just short term ones. What if there was a global epidemic that needed masks and medicine, or what if technology broke down and you were the only one with knowledge of how to fix it – you would still be comfortable eating whatever was available to you!
In this article, we will discuss some easy ways to start stocking up on food supplies. We will go over different types of foods, coupons and gift cards, and more. Check out our other posts at https://www.mombloggersunion.com/how-to-stay-fit-for-the-holidays/ and http://blog.moneysmartingoodsie.