In the present age, individuals are showing worry regarding revising their emergency plans and acquiring food kits for sustaining their survival. It was inconceivable for the majority of us that stores could deplete their supplies of toilet paper, meat, and water. The following is a compilation of the finest survival food kits to assist you in initiating your disaster preparedness.
Best Survival Food Kits
Mountain House – Just in Case
Our top pick for those who want their food to be conveniently ready-to-eat without the hassle of replacing expired items every couple of years is the Mountain House – Just in Case emergency food supply kit. With freeze-dried provisions that are user-friendly, this kit ensures a delicious taste that remains unchanged even after being stored for a minimum of 30 years.
We discovered that Mountain House is the most well-known freeze-dried food brand, widely favored by both backpackers and preppers. The meal pouches in this box consist of cooked food which is freeze-dried, allowing for easy preparation, even with limited resources like cold water.
Advantages
- Easy to prepare, even cold
- Guaranteed to taste good after 30 years
- Tastes good
- Pouches can be re-sealed if you only want to make small portions
Cons are an event or activity designed to deceive or trick people by gaining their trust and then taking their money, information, or possessions.
- The most expensive option
- Requires boiling water for best taste
- Still only 1–2 grams of fiber per meal
Military Surplus MREs
If you are in need of a portable meal that can be stored in a bag and consumed anywhere, the ideal choice would be a military-surplus Meal, Ready-to-Eat or “MRE”. We obtained a mixed selection from Western Frontier and a few individually chosen meals from Ozark Outdoorz, ensuring that the packages are guaranteed to have recent package dates. Each pouch in these packs provides an average of 1250 calories, so two pouches per individual per day will be more than sufficient food if you are simply waiting for a storm to pass.
Although ready-to-eat food has its drawbacks of being bulky and having a shorter shelf life, it is advisable to include it as a part of your emergency stockpile for a single day, while maintaining the majority of your supplies as dried food. This allows you to have a backup solution in case of dire circumstances without burdening yourself with unnecessary weight.
Benefits
- Truly ready-to-eat
- Some MREs include heat packs
- Good variety of items for a complete meal
There are cons to consider when evaluating this situation.
- Availability is sometimes inconsistent
- Menu selection is random unless you pay a premium
- Shelf life isn’t as long as dry food
Datrex – DX2400F
Ration bars are the ideal choice for individuals seeking highly concentrated and space-saving food options. The Datrex – DX2400F multi-purpose ration bars are capable of lasting for a minimum of five years, making them suitable for storage in vehicles, boats or cabins. Moreover, they are extremely convenient for young children to consume, possessing a slightly powdery texture but resembling shortbread in most aspects.
If you find yourself in a situation where the duration until your next meal is uncertain and you must continue moving or stay warm, this ration is as good as it gets. Each bar inside the package is wrapped individually and provides 200 calories from fats and carbohydrates, meaning that a whole package of 12 bars can sustain a person for three days.
Advantages
- Ultra-compact and lightweight source of energy
- Five-year guaranteed shelf life
- Inexpensive compared to other bars
Cons are individuals who use deception, manipulation, and dishonesty to exploit and take advantage of others for personal gain.
- Eating dry cookies for days isn’t fun
- Not a balanced meal
- Water might be a better use of limited storage space
Augason Farms – Variety Pail
Selecting the most cost-effective ready-to-use meal kit proved to be challenging, but the Augason Farms – Breakfast and Dinner Variety Pail emerged as our top choice, with each 400-calorie serving costing approximately $1. This comprehensive kit not only offers a well-balanced selection of menu items but also includes enjoyable extras such as milk and chocolate pudding that can uplift your spirits.
The disadvantage of a cost-effective package like this is that the meals consist solely of uncooked pasta and partially cooked rice with a sauce mixture added. Although you can consume this food after soaking it in boiling water, which is how we tested it, it is recommended to simmer them to achieve optimal texture. It is comparable in appeal to the pre-made side dish packets available at the supermarket for a similar cost.
Advantages or benefits
- Excellent shelf life
- Wide range of menu options included
Cons are disadvantages or negative aspects of a certain situation or action.
- Price is high for dry food you could buy separately
- Need to simmer most dishes
- 4-serving pouches don’t re-seal
S.O.S. Food Lab – Emergency Ration
Similar to the Datrex bars, the S.O.S. Food Lab – Emergency Ration bars offer a dependable supply of portable calories for circumstances that demand constant motion. In contrast to the individually-wrapped Datrex bars, the S.O.S. rations are tightly packed together as one solid block, requiring the use of a knife to separate them. Ensuring hygiene after opening the foil-lined pouch, it is advisable to store these bars in a resealable bag.
Although the S.O.S. rations resemble shortbread more closely than the Datrex rations which have a powdery texture, they are available in cinnamon or coconut flavors. However, our test-toddler struggled to consume them properly and instead resorted to only sucking on the pieces we provided.
Wise Company Freeze Dried – Wise Company – Emergency Food Supply
The Wise Company – Emergency Food Supply pail offers a middle ground between Augason Farms’ uncooked food and Mountain House’s flavorful freeze-dried options. According to the company, these entrees do not require cooking and their sauces are comparable to the branded side-dish pouches found in grocery stores. Moreover, they are priced similarly, costing around $2.50 per 400 calories.
Purchasing dried food in this manner does not result in any savings when compared to a homemade assortment of side dishes, and it lacks the breakfast or dessert choices available with Augason Farms. Nevertheless, the Wise Company meals come with richer sauces and offer a slightly more enjoyable taste when you are adding water and unable to cook the food on a stove.
Survival Tabs – ST-96T
The Survival Tabs – ST-96T emergency ration presents an additional choice for conveniently storable emergency food provisions. In contrast to the Datrex and S.O.S. bars, this option provides the most fundamental source of calories available; it consists solely of sugar, oil, and milk solids compressed into a capsule with added mineral supplements. Remarkably flavorful yet exceedingly compact, the pouches accommodate 24 individual tablets that should be consumed every hour while walking or laboring towards finding shelter.
Opting for these options would be preferable to enduring hunger, although it would typically require several weeks. It is important to prioritize storing water over raw calories. While Datrex bars offer convenience and economic advantages for stockpiling, Survival Tabs can also be considered as a feasible substitute.
How to Choose Your Kit
We will assist you in selecting the most suitable survival food kit for your family among the numerous options available.
Consider what features are of utmost importance to you or your family when selecting a food survival kit.
Before anything else, it is important to determine the desired quantity of supplies you wish to procure. Some brands offer the option of purchasing a one-day kit, while others offer the possibility of acquiring a year’s worth of supplies. Both FEMA and the American Red Cross recommend having a minimum of 2 weeks’ worth of emergency food supply readily available.
According to FEMA, it is advisable to possess three survival food kits: one for your residence, one for your automobile, and one for your backpack. By keeping a survival kit in your car and carrying a lightweight bag with emergency supplies, you can be prepared to move around. Having these provisions ensures access to food regardless of whether you are traveling by car or on foot.
Survival food kit manufacturers often offer pre-assembled survival backpacks for sale as well. In times of emergency, having a readily available survival food kit can greatly influence one’s chances of survival.
Calorie Intake
When choosing a kit, it is important to consider the number of calories per serving. The ideal daily caloric intake depends on factors such as age, gender, overall health, and activity level. Typically, it is recommended that females consume around 2,000 calories per day, while males should aim for approximately 2,400 calories.
In case of a family member facing health issues, it is advisable to seek guidance from a doctor regarding their dietary requirements. They might require extra calories or supplements to be included in the food kits. Therefore, when obtaining your survival food kit, determine the daily calorie intake of your family.
When faced with a emergency, the least of your concerns should be determining the distribution of calories. Caloric intake must be increased beyond your regular calorie counts during such critical situations.
When choosing your survival food kit, it is crucial to take into account food preferences and tastes. This involves considering dietary limitations, allergies, and preferred food choices, like vegetarianism or organic diets. We have ensured that the list above includes suitable options for every member of your family, including the finest selections for vegetarians and those who choose organic foods.
Nutrition
After determining the daily calorie intake for your family, the subsequent step is to make a choice regarding nutrition.
During an emergency, it is common to consume higher levels of energy, and the effectiveness of your body’s functioning during this tense period is greatly influenced by nutrition. The CDC advises opting for protein-rich and low-salt foods. Sustaining optimal energy levels is crucial during emergencies, and a combination of carbohydrates and protein aids in maintaining it.
If someone in your family has diabetes or has unique dietary requirements, it is important to consider nutrition information that may be necessary. Certain kits may contain excessive amounts of salt, sugars, and other additives that offer minimal nutritional benefits. Due to their intended use in emergencies, many of these meals are rich in carbohydrates.
When selecting products for you and your family, it is important to remember that in emergency situations, your body will require maximum energy, which can be obtained from carbohydrates.
Packaging
Although packaging may not appear significant, it is crucial to obtain a container and packaging that can withstand various conditions. Choosing a kit without a durable container might expose your survival foods to the risk of being damaged by water.
Consider the potential natural calamities that you might encounter and anticipate worst-case situations. Is it ensured that the packaging and containers are waterproof? Do they have the capability to be sealed again, and can the food packets themselves be resealed?
Inquire about these queries and determine the crucial aspects that meet your requirements while selecting a brand.
Size of the Kit
The size of the kit is crucial as it must be lightweight when used as a mobile kit. If it serves as your main source of survival food at home, it should be stored in a container that fits your storage space. Therefore, if you reside in an apartment, ensure that it fits conveniently in a closet or another storage area.
Prep
It is crucial to swiftly and effortlessly prepare the finest survival food. By simply adding hot or cold water, one can easily create top-quality survival food kits. Avoid wasting precious time and energy during emergencies by opting for quick and easy food preparation.
Storing the Food
To preserve the quality and freshness of your survival food kit, it is crucial to store it correctly.
Storing survival food kits in a dark and cool location is recommended. Although your basement may seem like an ideal spot due to its cool and dark corners, it is important to note that many basements retain moisture, which can negatively affect the quality and freshness of your food.
To ensure the longest lifespan of your survival food kit, it is advisable to store it in your basement provided that the air is dehumidified and kept dry. It is crucial to maintain a temperature range of 55 to 70 degrees for the optimum preservation of the kit.
What Food Options for Your Family
After determining the size of the survival food kit you require, the next step is to consider the food options. Numerous companies offering survival food supplies offer pre-packaged kits containing a variety of meal choices. These kits typically consist of preselected breakfast, lunch, and dinner items.
It is important to consider which options are most suitable for your family when discussing survival food companies that offer meal replacement pills, protein, and calorie bars.
To avoid monotony, individuals can opt for a combination of self-packaged items such as nuts and canned food from their pantry, a ready-made survival food kit, and a packet of calorie and vitamin replacement pills. Selecting any of these three choices enables your family to have variety in their meals.
Foods for snacks and breakfast include carb-rich comfort options such as noodle dishes, soups, rice, and casseroles, which FEMA suggests selecting to alleviate stress and provide comfort to your family.
- Freeze-dried fruits and vegetables.
- Pancakes.
- Oatmeal
- Chocolate pudding
You can customize your survival food kit with meal packs of varying sizes, ranging from 18 to 240 servings, in case you have a particular family member who is selective about what they eat.
In case you find yourself in an emergency situation where you have to be constantly moving, it is important to avoid any concerns regarding food preparation. By conducting a trial at home, you have the opportunity to try out different methods of cooking the food and enhance its flavor using pepper or seasonings. This allows you to become familiar with the process and outcome before a real emergency occurs.
Budget
The cost of survival food kits can vary from $30 up to $3000+ and is influenced by several factors.
The kits come in various sizes, ranging from a one-day provision for an individual to a multi-week provision of meals. The price can also be influenced by the quality of the food, as lower quality products tend to have more fillers and fewer nutrients.
