Dealing with a survival situation is not different for most people, regardless of who they are and the situation they face. While there are lots of things that you could do according to your living situation and budget, there is one thing that you simply cannot overlook and that is food. Before anything else, your food is your biggest concern as you cannot survive without it. To make sure you are fully prepared for any emergency, the following guide is being provided as a useful reference point. Read on to find out everything you need to include in your emergency food supply.
Frozen Foods
In case you are dealing with a power outage, your freezer will be your best option for storing food long-term. Of course, we do not mean weeks but a few days which should be enough in most cases. If your food is stored below 0 degrees F, your food should be able to survive for up to 24 hours. Things like meat, poultry, dairy, and ready-to-eat meals can be a great option to keep for an emergency. They require minimum energy to make them edible and provide a decent meal without running out of backup power. However, keep an eye out for the meat products and dairy as you should consume them immediately if they have thawed out.
Canned Food
One of the best food options for survival in emergencies is canned food. They have a long shelf life, and you can store them without any special arrangements. You can find everything from raw ingredients to fully cooked meals in cans these days, so make sure you have a collection of those to go with as well. You could use things like fruits, soups, and vegetables as canned food, so keep the ones you eat the most frequently. However, in case of a flood or fire, be sure to check for their integrity as leakages in the can or exposure to heat/fire could damage the food inside.
Dried Food
Apart from canned food, dried foods also have a long shelf life, and they can easily be cooked in most cases. As it happens, they are also high in carbohydrates which you may need if your food rations are insufficient. Things like biscuits, pastas, granola bars, cereals, rice, lentils, beans, etc. are all part of this list. You can also use dehydrated foods of all kinds as they can last a long time and can be revived by adding water to them. Powdered milk should also be a part of this collection, as regular milk cannot be kept for long.
Refrigerated Products
There are many products that you can refrigerate that could survive a few days if you left them at room temperature. Of course, if you do have a refrigerator, be sure to continue using it until the cold goes away before moving things out. Keeping things stored in the refrigerator after the temperature has risen back is not advisable. Stuff like butter, fruits, dried fruits, nuts, processed and hard cheese, condiments like sauces and spreads, packaged juices and drinks, herbs, spices, breads, cakes, and muffins can be stored in the open. However, their quality will go down rapidly, and they will not remain edible after a few days, so be sure to consume them first.
Conclusion
Apart from the things mentioned above, be sure to keep an adequate supply of clean water as well. It is a lot more essential for survival than food and even required for making food in most cases. Also, arrange emergency cooking supplies and sanitation as you do not want to get sick during such a time.
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