In the case of a serious emergency, are you prepared?
In light of the news about Hurricane Harvey recently, the question is on many more people’s minds than usual. Many recent news stories have shown people displaced by huge fires and floods. Although we may see these instances on the news and think they are distant for us, the truth is almost anyone could benefit from more disaster-readiness.
How does one get ready for a disaster?
Though there are plenty of ways to get prepared, one simple way is by keeping some survival food. Here are 16 survival foods no home should be without.
1. Dried Fruit
In an emergency situation, fresh fruit will likely not be available—still, it’s an important part of the diet! For those cases, dried fruit will provide some of the necessary fiber and vitamins that fruits can offer us (with a little kick of sugar, too).
2. Canned Fruit and Veggies
Because of they way they’re stored, canned foods do not go bad and can be eaten without any special preparations. As a result, canned veggies and fruit can be an indispensable resource for when things go wrong—with plenty of options to choose from.
3. Crackers
Though crackers can be an enjoyable snack at any time, they can also be helpful when things go wrong. As a complex carbohydrate, they are a solid source of energy and sustenance—just make sure you keep them sealed and dry!
4. Trail Mix
Though your mileage may vary depending on what brand you buy, trail mixes are packed with nuts, seeds, dried fruits and other tasty morsels. Still, these are also packed with non-perishable foods, important fatty acids and salts.
5. Peanut Butter
Aside from being delicious, peanut butter is also a great source of protein and fatty acids which can keep our energy up
6. Energy Bars
While the ingredients in these can vary wildly from brand to brand, a big box of energy bars is a good way to ensure you’ll have some reliable food to keep you full while you wait for rescue or for things to get back to normal.
7. Coffee
Though this one is a little bit less obvious, many people rely on caffeine to get through the day—suddenly coming off of it could cause some problems in an emergency. Instant coffee can keep almost indefinitely in a freezer. Moreover, coffee may also be used to trade (should that become necessary).
8. Basic Spices
Here, we’re talking about sugar, salt and pepper. Although cooking may be difficult in an emergency situation, these three spices are likely to help elevate any basic meal you might make into something more enjoyable.
9. Canned Soups and Chilis
Similar to the canned vegetables and fruits, these function more as a fancier, full-meal version of those options. When combined with the veggies and other things, you could make a decent stew that could keep you and your family well-fed.
10. Sports Drinks
Although Powerade, Gatorade and similar beverages may not be a great idea to drink all the time in daily life, they can prove very useful in emergency situations. Many drinks like milk or juice can quickly go bad without refrigeration. These drinks will stay good no matter the temperature and come packed with electrolytes.
11. Canned Fish/Meat
As with all canned foods, these have quite a long shelf life and can really elevate the quality of your meals. Not to mention that fish is full of healthy fats, protein and other building blocks that will be helpful in a crisis.
12. Water
Water, water, water. This is a big one. Although we take water for granted when things are functioning normally, a disaster could quickly render our normal water sources useless. We can’t survive very long without water—make sure you have a lot of it on hand.
13. Baby Food and Formula
Though this is especially important for anyone who as an infant in their family, baby food can also come in handy for adults as well. These meals offer a ton of variety and can serve as a quick and tasty snack (though “tasty” may depend on what brand you buy).
14. Sea Vegetables and Supplements
Many sea vegetables like kelp and chlorella are listed as superfoods because they are packed with a wide range of vital micronutrients. Obviously, it’ll be hard to keep a balanced diet in an emergency, but things like powdered seaweed may help out.
15. Whole Grain Cereal
Just like crackers, whole grain cereal has plenty of fiber and carbs to keep eaters satisfied. If you look for packages sold individually, they will also stay fresh for longer as well.
16. Vitamins
This one is similar to the supplements situation. For those who can’t stand the weird taste of powdered seafoods, a simple multivitamin may also go a long way in keeping you healthy and in fighting shape.
17. Beef Jerky
Beef jerky is a great source of protein and last for months. It is a simple, tasty food that will roundout your survival kit.
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