To alleviate your anxiety about natural disasters and emergencies that could lead to food and water supply disruptions or shortages, the most effective strategy is to be prepared. Given the increasing occurrence of extreme weather-related calamities, it is highly recommended to invest in a kit containing essential provisions such as food, water, and emergency supplies. This investment promises to provide peace of mind.
While it is commonly accepted by most professionals that a 3-day food supply is typically satisfactory for various emergency scenarios, it is advisable to have at least a 2-week supply for each individual in your household. While stockpiling essentials such as canned items, pasta, and peanut butter may sustain you for a while, it is crucial to note that these products do not last indefinitely, necessitating periodic replacement.
Purchasing emergency food kits is a logical decision which is supported by the existence of established companies that possess extensive expertise in producing satisfying meals, including desserts and snacks, with unexpectedly superior taste. While some of these companies target provisions for camping and intense outdoor expeditions, they are equally suitable for disaster readiness. Meanwhile, there are also options available designed for meeting prolonged nutritional requirements.
What to Consider
The initial matter to consider is the quantity of food you should possess. The response differs based on the number of individuals your stockpile is intended for and the extent of storage area you are willing to allocate for emergency food supplies. Begin by assessing the number of people in your family or group, including pets, and their recommended daily calorie consumption. It might be wise to consult with your doctor or pediatrician before purchasing emergency food supplies to obtain guidance on the nutritional needs necessary to sustain the overall health of each individual.
After acquiring basic information, the process of selecting the most suitable emergency kit for oneself comes down to personal preferences, as well as considering dietary restrictions. Emergency kits usually consist of calorie-dense comfort foods, such as mac and cheese, hearty soups and casseroles, and chili. Some kits also provide breakfast options like cereal or granola, as well as snacks, beverages, and dessert. Many companies offer sides as separate products, allowing the option to purchase fruits and vegetables to complement the main meals. Additionally, you might consider including emergency ration bars and survival tabs, which are compact and nutritionally-packed food substitutes that require no preparation, in your emergency supplies.
It is recommended to obtain multiple emergency survival water pouches to accompany your stock of meals, or alternatively, you can adhere to the CDC’s guidelines for creating and preserving your own water supply, as all the options mentioned require water for proper preparation. The duration of emergency kits varies, with several brands guaranteeing a shelf life of up to 20 or even 30 years, although some only last for 10 years or less. The primary factor determining shelf life is the packaging of the food, in addition to any added preservatives. To ensure optimal storage, it is advisable to keep the kits in dry, dark areas, at temperatures ranging from 55 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Best Survival Food
1. ReadyWise Ultimate Preparedness Emergency Food Kit
Recognized for its affordable food kits, ReadyWise is a reputable company that offers a wide range of options. One such choice consists of 124 servings, providing three main meals along with beverages, fruits, and desserts, all priced at slightly below $125 at the present moment. The menu comprises delectable dishes like pasta Alfredo, tomato basil soup, and apple cinnamon cereal, in addition to freeze-dried peaches and vanilla pudding.
2. Augason Farms 30-Day Emergency Food Supply
The kit consists of an adequate quantity of food that can sustain one adult for a period of 30 days. Alternatively, it can provide enough food for a family of four for a duration of one week. The kit contains a total of 307 servings and offers a variety of options for three meals each day, along with snacks and drinks.
For breakfast, you can choose maple brown sugar oatmeal, alongside options such as mac and cheese, hearty vegetable chicken soup and potato soup, cheesy broccoli rice and chicken flavored rice. Additionally, there are instant potatoes available as main dishes. To complete your meal, you can select a milk option and enjoy some potassium-packed banana chips.
3. Mountain House 3-Day Emergency Food Supply Kit
This emergency food kit comes from popular brand The Mountain House, which makes its meals without any artificial colors or flavors.
Within the box, there are enough food portions for a single individual for a period of three days, including 18 servings of robust main courses, accompanied by granola paired with blueberries and milk. The main courses consist of biscuits and gravy, chicken and dumplings, beef stroganoff served with noodles, and chicken fried rice, specifically intended for lunch and dinner.
4. EnerHealth Botanicals Survive2Thrive Organic Emergency Food Kit
Even during a disaster, some individuals prioritize having an organic diet. Unfortunately, only a few companies offer USDA-certified organic emergency food rations, and this happens to be one of them.
The emergency food kit by EnerHealth Botanicals consists of vegetarian superfood packets, individually vacuum-sealed to remain edible for 20 years. All the packets are devoid of pesticides, artificial colors, refined sugars, and other additives. Some of the ingredients found in these packets are quinoa, rolled oats, brown rice, pinto beans, black beans, and pancake mix.
5. NuManna Soy-Free Emergency Food Kit
Without a doubt, if you have a soy allergy, this emergency food kit from NuManna is the ideal choice. Not only are the entrees in this kit free from soy, but they are also free from GMOs and MSG, and do not contain any high fructose corn syrup or aspartame.
The kit consists of 144 servings, offering a more innovative range of options compared to others, such as sweet habanero chili with pineapple, rice pilaf, cheesy potato soup, and oatmeal with brown sugar for breakfast.
6. SOS Food Labs 3600 Calorie Emergency Food Bar (Coconut)
The vacuum-sealed packaging of the SOS Food Labs Emergency Food Bars ensures their compactness and weightiness. Each bar is individually wrapped, allowing you to consume them one portion at a time, and you can conveniently store them separately in your bags, car, or home. These bars have a delightful coconut flavor resembling a cookie-like texture, offering sufficient sustenance to sustain your energy levels throughout the day. Despite this, their nutrient density is not as high as some meals in this inventory, thus I suggest preserving them as high-calorie snacks instead of substituting them for a whole meal.
Although there might be survival foods available that offer higher calorie content, lower sugar levels, and increased vitamin content, it is hard to resist the pleasure of consuming a dessert. However, even during emergency situations, it is not advisable to solely rely on these bars for sustenance. Nonetheless, it is recommended to store each of the nine bars from the pack in different locations, providing a sense of relief and assurance for when they will be needed.
7. Augason Farms Dehydrated Potato Slices
Augason Farms offers a diverse range of freeze-dried vegetables and survival food kits. Among them, their potatoes are highly laudable as both a flexible and delectable snack or culinary ingredient. Not to mention, they provide a substantial amount of energy, and their preparation options are manifold. A single can of these dehydrated potatoes conveniently furnishes 18 servings, accompanied by simple recipes on the packaging, which can be easily adapted depending on the availability of other food items. Moreover, boasting an impressive shelf life of 25 years (including one year after opening), you can rest assured that these potatoes will never go unused.
Having ingredients in your emergency food supply is preferable to solely relying on ready-made meals. By incorporating Augason Farms’ dehydrated onions, carrots, and chicken, you can enjoy a well-balanced meal packed with vegetables and protein. Even in emergency situations, you don’t have to compromise on variety or culinary standards.
8. Nutrient Survival Southwestern Medley Singles
Each packet of Southwestern Medley by Nutrient Survival is packed with a rich array of nutrients, including 14 vitamins, 13 minerals, 9 amino acids with 12g of protein, 346mg of Omega 3, 789mg of Omega 6, and 6g of fiber. Despite requiring only ½ cup of water and 3-5 minutes of preparation time (with a slightly longer waiting period recommended), this meal offers abundant nutritional benefits. Moreover, it is a vegetarian option that boasts a satisfying taste, spiced up with ample jalapeno and paprika to keep it interesting.
By putting in just a little extra effort and resources, you can acquire everything necessary for a survival meal in this convenient pouch. Although Nutrient Survival offers 10-serving cans of their survival foods, there is an advantage to having the ability to easily carry or store these small packages anywhere.
9. Mountain House Granola with Milk & Blueberries
Made without any preservatives, this package contains granola, powdered milk, and freeze-dried fruit. Although the instructions on the bag specify adding ¼ cup of cold water, I decided to test it by adding hot water to recreate the experience of having oatmeal instead of cereal. The fact that this meal tastes delicious, keeps you satisfied, and has a shelf life of 30 years is an additional advantage.
Mountain House has successfully produced a highly commendable breakfast option, which unquestionably enhances any robust collection of survival food supplies. In addition to acquiring a couple of individual pouches serving two people each, it is highly recommended to also consider procuring two cans serving twenty portions each; one for camping purposes, and another to ensure a reliable food source spanning three decades if ever needed.
FAQs
When shopping for survival food, the following factors should be taken into account.
Q: What food can you survive on forever?
In short, it is not advisable to attempt it. For survival, we require 20 amino acids, along with a range of vitamins and minerals. However, certain foods such as potatoes can sustain you for a longer duration in a survival scenario compared to others. To prevent needing to ask this question, it is recommended to assess your emergency food supplies honestly, ensuring you have ample variety. Your body and palate will appreciate your efforts to incorporate different options.
Q: Can food last 25 years?
Whether your food’s seal is broken or not, and depending on the environment/temperature and storage conditions, food can last for 25 years. To emphasize, a majority of the products I emphasized have an estimated shelf life of 25 years or even longer.
Q: What do I do about water in an emergency situation?
You can undertake several measures at present to get ready for an emergency situation without access to a water source, or one where you no longer have running water. Initiating the storage of various tightly sealed water jugs along with your emergency food and acquiring an ample supply of water purification tablets are excellent initial steps. These emergency drinking water packets can be another alternative for obtaining water during emergencies. It is important to emphasize that you can never be excessively prepared when it comes to having enough water for drinking and cooking.
