There is often
much confusion when it comes to storing food for an emergency. Many preppers
are unaware of the difference between freeze dried foods and dehydrated foods.
They are unsure if they should stock up on protein bars and meals ready-to-eat
(MRE) or just get canned food from the supermarket.
This article will
give you a list of 12 food tips that you can easily follow if you want to get
started. These are not hard to follow but they’ll be helpful. Once you have some
food supplies stored away, your confidence will increase, and you’ll get more
experience and know what to purchase and how to store your food.
- Store
brown rice & pasta
Carbohydrates are
extremely important to provide you with fuel and keep you feeling full. Brown
rice has more fiber and will leave you satiated for longer. Pasta is
lightweight and can be easily prepared with just boiling water. If you need to
suddenly evacuate, grabbing a bag of rice and pasta will give you enough food
for a few days.
- Oatmeal
This is another
good food to store. It lasts a long time and you can eat it for breakfast
daily. All you need is hot water to prepare oatmeal. It’s light and can be
easily carried if you need to get out of your home.
- Sardines,
salmon & tuna
These foods are
rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. They’re nutritious and come in small
cans that are portable. All you need to do is cook some rice and open up a can
of tuna and you’re good to go for a meal or two.
- Raisins
Raisins are a
good source of energy because they’re rich in sugar and will perk you up. Toss
a few into your oatmeal and you’ll have a tasty breakfast. They last a long
time too.
- Ramen
While not the
best of foods to eat, during a crisis, these ramen noodles are easy to prepare
and will fill you up. They only require boiling water and a few minutes to
prepare. They last a long time and are light enough to pack and carry in your
bug out bag if you need to evacuate.
- Canned
beans
Beans are an
excellent source of protein. If you don’t have access to meat, beans will
provide you the protein you need. Open up a can, mix some beans with your rice
and you’ll have a good mix of protein and carbs. Kidney beans and black beans
are fantastic sources of protein.
- Sugar,
spices and salt
Make sure you store
these two. Any meal can be made tastier by stirring in some spices. Is your
tuna too bland? Add a dash of black pepper and some turmeric and your tuna will
taste great. The same applies to salt and sugar. These are essential items that
you MUST have.
- Mixed
greens
While you may not
have access to fresh vegetables, you can always turn to canned vegetables to
get some of the benefits. The extra fiber and micronutrients will do your body
good.
- Cocoa,
coffee or tea
Many people
overlook this. On nights when you’re cold and feeling down, making a cup of hot
chocolate will really help to lift your spirits. Store coffee or tea if you
prefer these. Now you’ll realize why it’s important to store sugar as part of
your food supplies
- Spam
Often scorned as low-quality
meat, during times of crisis, being able to fry and eat slices of this canned
meat will be a luxury. Add a few slices to your rice and mixed greens and you
have a meal with proteins, fats and carbs.
- List
and rotate
Remember to list
all the foods you’ve stored and write down their expiry dates. This will allow
you to consume what’s about to expire and you can replenish your stores in a
timely manner. If you do not keep records, it will be a nightmare to keep track
of all the food. Remember to store the oldest food in front and the newer
supplies at the back.
- Keep away from sunlight
Last but not
least, keep your food supplies in a clean and dry place away from sunlight or
heat. This will ensure that your foods last as long as possible.
Use this list of
tips as a guide to planning. Start small and slowly build up your stockpile of
food. It may seem intimidating and a Herculean task at first but if you
approach it in a gradual and sensible manner, you’ll achieve your goal in no
time at all.
