Essential Nutritious Emergency Survival Food
In case of a disaster, having emergency survival food on hand that can last without refrigeration is crucial. These easy-to-make food sources also contain essential vitamins and nutrients. Often the Amazing fact about wise company food.
Emergency food should contain high caloric intake. Ideal products come equipped with convenient storage pouches and clear instructions, making it easier for consumers to prepare themselves during an emergency.
1. Canned Meats
Canned meats are an integral component of any survival food supply, providing protein and calories when fresh foods are scarce. When selecting canned meats for your bug-out bag or disaster kit, prioritize those that contain high-quality proteins while minimizing fillers, artificial flavors or colors, or excessive preservative levels.
Grocery stores typically stock an assortment of long-lasting canned meats, such as tuna, spam, Vienna sausage, and corned beef. When selecting such options, select brands known for using only high-grade ingredients and responsible production methods; select items with reduced sodium and saturated fat levels in order to minimize health risks.
When it comes to food storage, be sure it’s in a cool and dry area and rotated regularly. Be vigilant for signs of spoilage, such as swelling, leaks, or rust, before using. Be wary of products exposed to extreme temperatures or contaminated with flood waters, as these should be discarded immediately.
Survival canned meats are commercially packaged products designed to have an extended shelf life and taste without compromising nutritional quality. Available at specialty retailers as well as larger warehouse stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s Wholesale, survival canned meats differ from standard grocery store canned goods by being slowly cooked in heavy-duty cans for maximum quality and flavor.
2. Canned Vegetables
Canned vegetables can make an integral part of your survival food supply, providing essential nutrition. When selecting options, look for those high in fiber and micronutrients (like vitamin C, potassium, and folate), low in sodium content, and easy to prepare. Consider stockpiling multiple types, with options tailored specifically for your family’s tastes and enjoy.
Add flavor and variety to your emergency food storage with canned fruits, dried fruits, trail mixes, or snack mixes, including canned or dried fruits that provide healthy carbohydrates that may boost energy. Also, consider including nutritional supplements like protein powder and vitamins/minerals in your food storage.
As part of your long-term survival food supplies, dried grains may also be helpful. Dried beans and legumes provide essential fiber, protein, and carbohydrate energy, as well as essential dietary minerals, at an inexpensive price point and long shelf life. MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat) from the US military can also serve as quick, nutritious food sources in emergencies; however, they should only be seen as emergency backup options due to high salt levels, more suitable as add-on items versus being the foundation of your preparedness food supplies.
Keep a few cans of water on hand in your emergency food storage for drinking and cooking purposes – water is an essential nutrient, and without it, the body can only survive for a limited period.
3. Canned Soups & Stews
Canned soups and stews provide quick and simple meals in times of emergency, perfect for heating up on a stovetop or microwave. When choosing canned soups and stews as emergency survival food, focus on selecting those packed with vegetables, protein, and healthy fats – along with whole grains to boost nutritional value by slowing digestion, regulating bowel movements, and helping to lower cholesterol levels and prevent heart disease. Try including quinoa, barley, buckwheat, or brown rice when selecting canned soups and stews as emergency survival foods!
Many companies make low-sodium canned soups and stews that make an ideal emergency survival food kit addition; however, not all canned soups are created equal. When selecting a canned soup, read its ingredients list carefully to ensure it contains minimal preservatives and only ingredients you can pronounce; tomato-based varieties tend to contain higher concentrations of lycopene, which Healthline has found to protect against cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
As part of your emergency preparation plan, it’s crucial to stockpile emergency survival food that will last decades while providing your family with nourishment during an emergency or disaster. Valley Food Storage freeze-dried emergency preparedness meals offer 25 years of shelf life – perfect for keeping in your bug-out bag or home survival pantry. Be sure to regularly test out long-term food storage and learn how to prepare it in case an unexpected circumstance arises.
4. Canned Fruits & Vegetables
Canned fruits and vegetables are an effective way to prepare for emergency survival situations, being both more affordable than fresh produce as well as being suitable for storage in a pantry/cupboard without spoilage. Canned foods also remain just as healthy due to canning’s process, which removes refrigeration needs while protecting from pathogens that cause foodborne illnesses.
Michigan State University Extension recently conducted a study that demonstrated how canning processes enhance fiber solubility, making canned legumes more beneficial than fresh. As with any canned food product, however, it’s essential to check its nutrition label for added sugars or sodium contents, choosing options with no sugar added (i.e., those using their juice instead of syrup) or selecting those with no added salts at all.
Canned fruits and vegetables offer year-round availability, providing more variety when creating meals. Many canned options come pre-chopped or mashed to help streamline meal preparation further.
When creating your emergency survival supply, select cans without signs of rust, bulging, or sharp dents that may compromise their seal and allow air into the can and spoil its contents. It is advisable to inspect these supplies periodically to make sure they remain in excellent condition and that their expiration dates have stayed the same.
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