16 Foods Preppers Should Always Keep In Their Pantry
It’s impossible to know exactly when a natural disaster will hit or how severe conditions will be. A blizzard or hurricane could knock out the power for several days, make roads impassable, and isolate you from neighbors, stores, and other resources. That’s why it’s important to be prepared with a sufficient stockpile of nonperishable foods and water so that you can weather conditions safely.
When thinking about what types of items to stock up on, focus on basic necessity over flavor and preferences. In an emergency, you need to maximize calories and nutritional intake. That said, with proper planning, you can enjoy a nice spread while guaranteeing survival.
In an emergency, your body requires different fuel than it does during your regular life. It’s good to assume that you will be expending more energy than usual and will have access to less food overall. You’ll need to ration your food to preserve your supply. For that reason, you will need protein dense, high energy foods that are rich in nutritional content. So, pack high quality foods with a long shelf-life that will provide nutrients and fiber to keep you going.
It’s a good idea to itemize the foods you stockpile to keep track of what you have and when it expires. Keep your food as fresh as possible. The last thing you want is to open your bugout bag during a storm and discover rusty cans or moldy crackers. Every 6-12 months, check expiration dates and replenish your stores. And don’t forget to stash a can opener – canned goods are useless if you can’t get to them.
