Prepping is not just for those who fear doomsday, prepping is an essential skill that can help yourself and your children learn to be prepared for any disaster.
What Is Prepper Food?
Food stored by preppers is intended for use during a significant disaster, such as an EMP assault or a severe earthquake. Such occurrences have the potential to create a state of complete turmoil in your vicinity.
To be fully prepared, everyone should have three essential items: a high-quality water filter for survival (which is surprisingly affordable), a top-of-the-line gun for emergencies (requires training and an investment of around $400 plus ammunition storage), and a long-lasting food stockpile (our focus for today’s discussion).
It’s obvious that food holds great significance, evident by the fact that you consume it daily. Apart from being consumed as a form of entertainment, food is a necessity for your family’s well-being and survival. You shouldn’t rely on the government to manage the supply of food during a calamity, nor should you anticipate any kind of financial aid or access to cash, even if stores are open. Additionally, don’t anticipate indefinite support from your neighbors in terms of food.
Prepper food is characterized as food that can be stored for an extended period. It is intended to be consumed during a crisis to replenish nutrients and calories. Prepper food can be obtained through paid options or can be prepared easily at home.
What Foods Should I Stockpile For Survival?
When considering the ideal prepper food, it is crucial to prioritize the factors of calorie density and shelf life.
Shelf Life
It is important to keep in mind that survival food should be utilized not only in situations where there are no accessible grocery stores.
Additionally, they possess significance in the maintenance of gardens, prolonging the lifespan of meat, and preparing for times when obtaining fresh food is not feasible due to financial constraints.
Extra caution must be exercised in the case of long-term food preservation. It is important to note that not all emergency food is capable of being stored on shelves. In fact, there is a high likelihood of the food going bad if not stored properly for longer than a few months.
Although, it should be noted that some foods have the ability to last longer than others. In situations requiring survival, an excellent choice of food is brown and white rice. When kept in an airtight food storage container that is dry and clean, white rice can last for a maximum of 2 years. Comparatively, brown rice can last for no less than 6 months.
Calorie Density
Canned beans, pasta, and dried fruits are excellent for survival as they contain more calories than many other food options.
Consider the fact that if your calorie intake is lower than your expenditure, consuming these foods can be beneficial as they provide your body with additional calories when needed.
If you are seeking a wider range of options, consider purchasing dried fruit (along with lemon juice for preservation). Dried fruit contains a substantial amount of calories and nutritional advantages.
Additionally, freeze-dried fruits can remain usable for a period of 25 years if stored correctly. For those seeking a broader selection, it may be worthwhile to explore freeze-dried meals or MREs that frequently contain delectable fare, providing both a range of choices and high-calorie content.
How Can I Safely Store Food For A Long Period Of Time?
Improper storage is the worst mistake one can commit in terms of survival food.
Consider this scenario: if somebody presented you with a fruit from their garden that had been preserved as “fresh” in their cupboard for numerous months, would you be inclined to consume it? Chances are, you wouldn’t. Hence, your initial move should be to check the expiration dates and storage instructions.
Typically, survival food is intended for storage in sealed receptacles equipped with oxygen absorbers. If you prefer not to acquire numerous storage bags and a vacuum sealer, you may opt for mylar bags or a plastic bucket.
To ensure that your food remains preserved over an extended period, it’s crucial to protect it from moisture and sunlight. It’s generally advised by professionals that you should store your long-lasting food in a dim, cool location, ideally around 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. If the temperature in your area is higher, you may want to consider purchasing a refrigerator room or industrial freezer to maintain the correct storage conditions.
Below, we will discuss several methods that can be utilized to prolong the shelf life of food items.
Canning
Preserving food through canning is considered one of the top methods. Nevertheless, it is crucial to note that some foods aren’t suitable for canning. Therefore, if you want to create a long-lasting food reserve, it’s advisable to do the majority of your canning in autumn and spring. In contrast, during the summer, it’s possible to can a plethora of fruits and vegetables without encountering any issues.
A common error made by home cooks is filling their jars excessively. Despite most canning recipes specifying to reserve some headspace (approximately 1/4 inch).
Properly leaving enough space between the liquid and the jar’s top is vital in securing a tight seal, preventing the possibility of faster food spoilage and discoloration.
Canning is a process that is applied to various types of food. Some of the most popular options for canning are:
- Corn
- Crushed tomatoes
- Fruit
- Salsa
- Pickles
- Relishes
- Pie Fillings
- Poultry
Dehydrating
Opting for dehydrated food can be beneficial for those seeking to prolong the shelf life of their food. This technique eliminates approximately 90 to 95% of moisture from your food, though it may not be as efficient as freeze-drying. Nevertheless, it can increase the longevity of your food for as long as five years.
This method is ideal for individuals who desire to have food readily available for unforeseen circumstances or for shorter durations. When preppers are faced with urgent situations or cannot wait for specific types of food, this approach is typically employed.
While it is possible to dehydrate food by sun-drying or oven-drying, it is recommended to purchase a dehydrator for optimal results and a quicker process. This ensures that your food is thoroughly dehydrated.
Some of the frequently dehydrated foods are listed below.
- Bananas
- Zucchini
- Apples
- Mangoes
- Tomatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
- Strawberries
Freeze-Drying
Freeze-dried fruits are highly resistant to spoilage and can stay fresh for up to 25 years if stored properly, making them one of the most stable food products available. You may wonder how they differ from dehydrated foods.
Freeze-dried food differs mainly in its lower moisture content. By removing up to 99% of the liquid content in fruits, vegetables, and other foods during the freeze-drying process, it inhibits the growth of microorganisms in your food.
Freeze-dried food possesses the advantage of retaining a majority of its nutrients, making it an efficient source of vitamins and minerals when compared to certain homemade meals.
The following are some of the foods that are commonly freeze-dried.
- Berries
- Coffee
- Fruit
- Juice
- Eggs
- Dairy
- Food flavorings
- Herbs
Prepper Food Supply List
Make sure to have a survival water filter and stock up on bottled water. Although it may require ample storage space, hoard as much as possible. Having both a water filter and bottled water will ensure preparedness.
Canned Fluids: Adding evaporated milk and condensed milk to your prepper food supply is a great idea as dairy can provide both calories and nutrition in the event of a prolonged crisis. You could also stock up on coconut milk which can last between two to five years when stored properly in a can.
Dehydrated milk is an excellent addition to your prepper food stockpile as it provides essential nutrients and calories, which are crucial for survival. Furthermore, it has a long shelf life with up to ten years of storage time when kept in an airtight container.
Whey powder can benefit not only fitness enthusiasts and bodybuilders, but also preppers preparing for a possible dystopian future. This protein source is obtained from the liquid residue that separates from curds during cheese making, which may not sound appealing, but is valuable for survival purposes. Whey protein concentrates offer a natural and nutritious alternative to traditional protein sources like chicken or steak, which may not be accessible in difficult circumstances.
Powdered eggs may not have a sunny-side-up appearance, but they can be extremely beneficial during difficult times. Contrary to popular belief, refrigeration is not necessary and they have a long shelf life.
You might be under the impression that bodybuilders wouldn’t be affected by a power outage, but that’s only partially true. Protein bars are a great option due to their long shelf life, high calorie and fiber content, as well as being packed with essential nutrients and protein.
For preppers, jerky can be a reliable source of dehydrated meats. If you’re unaware of it, you can also opt for healthy grass-fed canned meats and canned fish to acquire your Omega 3 fatty acids. This can be done gradually during your grocery shopping trips. Select beef that is grass-fed and search for the healthiest canned fish, which can be found at excellent quality in Whole Foods.
Despite some individuals considering Prepper Coffee as a way of indulging in modern society’s addictions instead of prioritizing survival, it actually helps you stay focused. By consuming coffee, your concentration and sharpness will increase, making you more vigilant and alert to your surroundings. If you’re already a coffee consumer, there’s no justification for not including it in your storage.
Healthy fats play a crucial role as the energy source for our bodies and brains. In addition to providing a high amount of calories and nutrition, they aid in preventing Alzheimer’s and other neurological disorders. Those who have tried diets low in fat have experienced fatigue over the years.
If CoCo Puffs drive you wild, this prepping tip is perfect for you – stock up on the cereals your family enjoys. Even if you don’t usually eat cereal, it’s a good idea to have some on hand to add some variety.
For your prepper food supply list, I recommend considering two essential grain items. Grains are a vital component of any prepper’s food supply.
- Oatmeal:The good news is, it can last a very long time and it is easy to store.
- Corn: you can find dried corn via corn flour. Corn is one of the top prepper foods you can buy due to its ability to last over a longer period of time. It is a simple food but its also very calorie dense. Look into cornmeal at your local store or while on Amazon.
- Rice: Yep, good old rice. Rice is easy to store and it is a dense food that can provide calories for energy.
Despite its bad reputation, bread can actually be a beneficial addition to your prepper food stores. Its high calorie content, iron content, and long shelf life make it a valuable source of nutrition in emergency situations. So, don’t overlook bread when compiling your prepper food list.
Regardless of the world’s state, you can still indulge in your fondness for Olive Garden’s pasta. It’s an excellent option for preppers as it has a long shelf life. It’s crucial to stock up on various food items, even if pasta isn’t your usual choice.
Canned foods are a crucial item for prepper storage and the great thing is that you can gradually create your prepper food inventory by purchasing some of the canned products listed every time you make a grocery store trip.
It is evident that both fruits and vegetables are crucial due to their high nutritional value, hence the importance of canned varieties.
Beans that come in a can are highly important as they provide protein, calories, and fiber. They have the ability to satiate hunger while simultaneously promoting good digestion and boosting your energy level.
Sunflower seeds have a long shelf life, but when it comes to peanut butter, it is essential to rotate it consistently to prevent it from spoiling quickly. While peanuts are a nutritious and convenient food choice, it is crucial to exercise caution with other types of nuts unless one is willing to take proper measures by rotating them and keeping track of dates.
It is advisable to keep iodized salt as a long-term fallout essential to safeguard your health. Deficiency of iodine in the body can lead to a risky health condition. Despite canned foods being a source of iodine, it is wise to store this essential electrolyte separately.
