In recent years, the United States has suffered several serious natural disasters. Tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and other events have left people without electricity or clean water, sometimes for days or weeks. If you were to suffer a natural disaster that cut off your electricity, would you be prepared with enough food and water? With a well-stocked emergency food kit, you'll be ready to weather the storm. And when your medicine cabinet contains these 10 essential healthy foods, waiting for disaster to pass is much easier (and tastier).
Every emergency kit must have a supply of drinking water. Avoid single-use plastic water bottles and buy larger water jugs, such as this 4-gallon rigid water container from Amazon, which is also easy to stack and store. Many canned soups and stews are high in sodium, but that doesn't mean they don't deserve a spot in your survival kit. Look for soups that are ready to heat and serve, such as our Three Sisters Stew stew.
Tuna isn't the only option for long-lasting canned meats. Salmon, sardines, freeze-dried chicken and other meats are also available. With a little creativity and a dash of our Camp Master spice mix, you can have a delicious meal ready in no time. Our meals have the added benefit of an extended shelf life, which is 10 years in most cases.
When storing an emergency kit, it's important to remember that certain foods, such as crackers, jerky, and non-perishable beverages, usually have a shelf life of 18 months (at best). That's why it's so important to check expiration dates at least once a year. Foods nearing the date should be eaten, composted, or discarded. Foods with good proteins, carbohydrates, and fats can help keep energy high, which can be very important during or after a disaster.
Choose foods such as nuts, jerky, whole grains (crackers, cereal, etc.).