We all know that disasters can happen at any time, but what you might not know is why it’s essential to have emergency supplies on hand. Many different types of emergencies could arise and require resources like food. In an emergency, having food on hand can be crucial to survival. Whether it’s a natural disaster or an economic downturn, these events can bring about some difficult times for everyone involved. If you prepare yourself in advance with store-bought or home-prepared foods and supplies, you will have one less thing to worry about when faced with any emergency.
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Canned Tuna Fish
Tuna is an excellent protein source, and you can store it for a reasonable amount of time. Make sure only to buy the tuna in water because this will allow you to keep it longer than tuna packed in oil. If possible, try buying tuna with low sodium. Also, check expiration dates on all food products before purchasing them since they may not last as long as you expect once you open or use them. Checking the expiration date goes for any food storage method you use!
Oatmeal Packets Or Dry Cereal
Both oatmeal packets and dry cereal are great options when trying to ration your food supply over a certain period. They both have a long shelf life, and they will provide you with much-needed energy during trying times. You must ration these foods correctly because it can be easy to eat them too quickly, resulting in stomach aches or other medical problems down the line.
Canned Fruit, Vegetables, Soup & Stews
When disaster strikes, your meals may consist primarily of just one type of food for an extended period. This means stockpiling canned fruits like peaches and pears and vegetables such as beans and green chilies. If possible, try buying soups/stews made by companies you know to produce high-quality products, so there’s no need to worry about harmful ingredients making you sick.
Peanut Butter
Everyone has a jar of peanut butter in their fridge, but do you have enough for an emergency? In these situations, food can become scarce very quickly. Store at least one to two pounds per person so that you will be able to eat well during tough times.
Nuts And Seeds
Nuts and seeds are great options for an emergency food supply because they can last up to one year if stored properly. That is longer than most types of meat or dairy products! Plus, nuts contain healthy fats that will provide you with much-needed energy during tough times, so stock up on the whole peanuts/almonds as well as sunflower seed kernels.
White Rice
White rice is very inexpensive, and it can last up to 20 years which makes it an excellent option for emergency food storage. The downside? It doesn’t contain many nutrients, so you may want to pair this with other types of more nutrient-dense foods, like some canned vegetables or fruit.
Whole Wheat Flour
If possible, try buying flour made from whole wheat because you can store this type of flour safely in your pantry for over 30 years! If disaster strikes, you will have access to bread/muffins/etc., but make sure not to store too much since yeast only lasts six months on average. If you decide against using premade packets of yeast, look into creating homemade ones that can last up to two years.
Dried Beans
Dried beans are great because you can store them safely for an extended period without refrigeration. Plus, they provide you with high-quality protein that will help keep your energy levels up during tough times! The only downside is that cooking them may take extra work since you cannot use a stove or oven to prepare them. And if possible, try buying dried beans instead of canned ones, so there’s no need to worry about chemicals leaching into the food from any lining in the cans.
Whole Grains
Whole grains are inexpensive and can last up to five years, making them a great option for emergency food storage. The downside? They don’t contain many nutrients, so you may want to pair this with other types of more nutrient-dense foods, like some canned vegetables or fruit. You can also try purchasing parboiled rice since it has been steamed before being dried, which means its shelf life is even longer! Plus, parboiled rice doesn’t require much time because it will cook faster than regular white rice.
Honey
Honey is an excellent option for emergency food storage because it can last up to one year. Plus, honey contains antioxidants that will help boost your immune system in the event of a disaster. The downside? Ensure you ration the honey correctly so you don’t consume too much sugar, which may result in stomach aches over time if eaten excessively. And not all types of honey are created equally either! If possible, try buying raw/pure honey instead since this type has many health benefits.
Canned Meat & Fish Products
Canned meat and fish products are good options to store in bulk during an emergency situation because they provide animal protein sources that people crave more than other nutrients. The downside? Canned meat and fish products contain chemicals to preserve the food, so be sure not to over consume these, especially if you have a history of health problems or are pregnant. Look into companies that produce canned meats/fish without harmful additives such as nitrates, msg, etc., for safer alternatives during an emergency situation!
Dried Fruits
Dried fruits are an excellent option for emergency food storage because they can last up to one year, plus dried foods taste delicious and contain many nutrients that people crave during tough times. The downside? Dried fruit contains very high amounts of sugar, so ration it correctly. If possible, consider buying unsweetened/dehydrated versions which will have less or no added sugar. Plus, make sure not to eat too much-dried fruit since the lack of moisture may cause dehydration over time if eaten excessively.
Conclusion
Store these types of foods in bulk during an emergency situation because they contain many nutrients and can last up to years without refrigeration. Not all types of food will taste good/be as filling, so it’s important to ration correctly or purchase other forms like freeze-dried instead, which is more expensive but provides the same benefits! Also, consider creating homemade yeast packets/parboiled rice instead of buying premade ones since this will give you more control over what is being added. And lastly, make sure not to eat too much of anyone’s food since this may result in stomach aches or dehydration issues which could worsen the situation!
