We live in an unpredictable world. We may be living our best lives today, whilst not knowing that everything could change tomorrow. Take the coronavirus pandemic, for instance, no one ever saw it coming. And once it got here, it changed our lives and daily routines forever.
But if there is one lesson that we have learned watching people going through the panic buying phase and living in a country under lockdown, is that there is nothing more important than being well-prepared for an impending disaster.
Enter emergency food!
The right food provisions are key for survivalists. Heck, food is important for any human being, especially during a calamity. You should always have emergency food set aside for consumption during an emergency or disastrous period of time like the coronavirus pandemic.
Planning to build your stash? Here are the top emergency foods in 2020 that you should consider:
1. Canned salmon
Rich in healthy fats and protein, canned salmon makes it first on our top survival food list. Other benefits that come with this food are lower rates of strokes and heart attacks. Even so, canned salmon goes into your emergency food kit, not because of its health benefit but because of its long shelf life and the fact that it does not need refrigeration to serve you during emergencies. Most importantly, it tastes great! There are so many delicious recipes you can find that use canned salmon. From beefing up your mac & cheese to making yummy salmon burgers, this little emergency food is more versatile than you might think!
2. Dried beans
Black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, and all other types of legumes have a good serving of protein, vitamins, and minerals. They have a long shelf life and will do well as part of your emergency food kit. If you are concerned about feeding a few other mouths during a calamity, don’t be. With a large supply of dried beans, you will be able to feed as many people as you need to and still have some much-needed leftovers. Plus, they are great for a bunch of different craft projects if you don’t end up eating them all!
3. Bulk nuts
Unsalted and unshelled nuts should be part of your emergency food kit. By gathering peanuts, almonds, and other types of nuts, you will get your vitamin and mineral fix during a calamity. Bulk nuts are also conveniently lightweight, meaning that they are the perfect food to carry if you need to decamp. As a small serving of nuts goes a long way, you can rely on this food to keep you going for as long as possible. Simply store your nuts in an airtight container and keep them in a cool, dry place, away from the sun. I keep most of mine in the refrigerator in ziplock bags.
4. Powdered super greens
Powdered vegetables have become a hot commodity in grocery stores. They are also perfect for consumption. during calamities when people are craving for fresh produce. Packed with vitamins and a lot of other nutrients, powdered vegetables come in handy when fresh produce disappears around your area. With a long shelf life, they are as delicious as they are a key survival food. From swiss chard to winter squash, you can find almost all your favorite veggies in powdered form from Dr. Cowan’s Garden. This is especially important during the winter months when growing your own garden isn’t an option.
5. Brown rice cereal
Brown rice is a non-perishable food with a shelf life of over 25 years when stored in the right conditions. Now, for emergency purposes, brown rice in its original raw form is not recommended because it takes a long time to cook (30 minutes to 1 hour for some brands). Also, when electricity is unavailable during disastrous periods, it is impossible to cook raw, brown rice.
As such, brown rice hot cereal is the better pick. Not only is it delicious but it also cooks in 5-8 minutes. Even better is the fact that this cereal is packed with a lot of nutrients. Just remember to purchase the freeze-dried version of the cereal and store it in a cool, dry place, in airtight containers as this will allow it to maintain freshness.
Note, while these foods have the longest shelf life, they can go bad without proper storage. It goes without saying that you should have them at the right storage conditions at all times. Foods that do not do well when exposed to sunlight should be kept in cool and dark areas. All other foods should be stored in airtight containers because oxygen is a catalyst that can make food go bad easily. This way, during a disaster, you will always be able to count on your emergency food supply.
In case of flooding, bugs, and rodents, your food should be kept off the floor. Finally, remember that your food supply should also be accompanied by the right amount of water. Store gallons of water alongside your emergency food kit as you may also need the water to cook your food.
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