By Michael, on December 5th, 2012 You never know when something terrible might happen, such as a blizzard, hurricane, tornado or earthquake. If one of these natural disasters happen, it is likely that you will not have access to utilities. This situation may result in your inability to cook meals or have access to a working microwave. For these reasons, it is best to stockpile a few kinds of food in an emergency kit. These items can last for months or years and can provide you with basic sustenance if you have no access to utilities or if you are unable to leave your home.
Bottled Water
Keep bottled water on hand in case of an emergency situation. You need to have at least one gallon of water for each person and for each pet for each day of the disaster. Determining how many days you will need supplies can be difficult because you are planning for an unforeseeable event. However, keep at least one week’s supply on hand.
Canned Vegetables
Don’t let the disaster get your kids out of eating green beans. Canned foods can last for a long time and provide basic nutrients for you and your family. Include canned vegetables such as green beans, corn, peas, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, spinach and hominy.
Canned Meat
Protein can be hard to come by in a natural disaster. Keeping some canned meat on hand can help you get your daily intake of protein. This may consist of Spam, shrimp, salmon, tuna, chicken or turkey. These items typically last up to two years in the canned form. You can also get dried meets, like beef jerky, for your stock pile.
Soup and chili might be the closest thing that you have to a real meal during a disaster. You can purchase several cans of soup or chili for each member of your family. You can also get dried soups that require a little water for preparation.
Picture Credit thefrugalfind.com
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter provides protein and can help provide you with energy during the difficult days after a natural disaster. Peanut butter is also a very homey ingredient, so it may provide you and your kids with comfort during an emotionally trying time. Add a few whole-wheat crackers together with your peanut butter to make a quick and filling snack.
Powdered Milk
Though it won’t be quite the same as the real thing, having some powdered milk on hand can be helpful when you cannot rely on the existence of a refrigerator. You can use it in conjunction with some other ingredients to make a meal or snack.
Granola Bars and Energy Bars
Granola bars and energy bars provide a tremendous amount of nutrients, vitamins and energy. They are compact, so even if you have limited space, you can create a stock pile of these items. They are healthy and they often fill people up. You can expect them to last for at least six months in the pantry.
Nuts and Trail Mixes
Another opportunity to get some protein in your diet is to eat nuts and trail mixes. They are high-energy and don’t take many to fill a person up. You can also get trail mixes that come with a variety of ingredients. Some packages include dried fruits, like banana chips and raisins. Others come in a more flavorful alternative that can be helpful to have while eating basic food for an extended period of time. Check the expiration date on the package to determine how long you can plan for the nuts or trail mix to last. Vacuum-packed containers help last these items last longer than the zipped bag counterparts.
Cereal
Many kids love cereal. Furthermore, so do many adults. Keep your family’s favorite cereals stock piled. The great thing about stocking up on cereal is that it frequently goes on sale. Wait for some good coupons to come out around the same time as a grocery store to maximize the bargain. You can also choose multigrain bars and oatmeal.
Comfort Items
Although it is prudent to pack certain items based on their nutritional value, price and the amount of space that they take up, you should also stock up on some items that your family loves. Pick some of your kids’ favorite candies and snacks. Flavored drinks and juices are also good options.
References:
http://ccesuffolk.org/assets/galleries/consumer/naturaldisasters.pdf
http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/emergency-foods-00000000038238/
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater/prepare.asp
Author Bio
Katelyn Roberts is a frequent contributor for NetQin. She writes on a wide variety of topics including technology ,green living and entertainment
