Did You Prep?

When a disaster occurs, it is too late to shop or search for the supplies you need. A 72-hour survival kit with a 3-day supply of food is the bare minimum that is recommended for EVERYONE, regardless of where or how you live. The most important aspect of this kit is its food and water. While there are additional prep items that are recommended for this simple kit, here are some suggestions for the FOODS that go into a 72-hour survival kit…

When a disaster occurs, you might not have any refrigeration, electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, or telephone services. In order to get you through a minimal period of survival until help arrives or for you to transport yourself from the disaster to a safer place, a 72-hour survival kit is meant to keep you alive and fed.

To get through at least an initial period of 3 days, you must have your own food, water, and other emergency supplies in sufficient quantity. If you store this ahead of time (in a closet, or portable carry in a backpack, rucksack, suitcase with wheels, etc.) then you will alleviate the stress associated with dealing with that (you will be stressed enough as it is…)

3-Day Kit FOODS

For food, consider the following…

Stock high energy foods, canned foods, dry mixes, and other staples that do not require refrigeration, cooking, water, or special preparation. Be sure to include a manual can opener and eating utensils.

• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables
• Protein bars, energy bars, fruit bars
• Dry cereal or granola
• Peanut butter
• Dried fruit
• Nuts
• Food for little ones (formula and baby food)
• Dry drink mixes to add to water
• Comfort/stress foods, candy bars, hard candy, etc.
• Bottled water
• Soda or juices (full sugar – for the energy)

Avoid foods that will make you thirsty. Choose salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals, and canned foods with high liquid content. You can also choose high calorie, non-thirst provoking foods such as peanut butter, jelly, food bars, and trail mix.

MREs (Meals ready to eat) designed for the military, are the easiest meals you can put in your kit. They have a long shelf life (up to 10 years when stored at temperatures below 70 degrees F). You can buy complete meals that include entree, side dish, dessert, drink mix, and utensils all in a pack. Or, you can stock up on individual entrees, side dishes, and desserts separately. These meals are designed to be heated, but can be eaten cold since they are already fully cooked.

Be sure to include some favorite foods and snacks in your emergency food supply, specifically for raising spirits.

Get foods that are low weight, compact, high calorie, minimal preparation, long shelf life, and good tasting that do not require refrigeration, cooking, water, or special preparation.

Tips To Maintaining Your 3-day Emergency Food

• Keep the foods in a cool, dry place.
• Store paper-boxed foods in tightly closed plastic or metal containers to protect them from pests, humidity and moisture, and to extend shelf life.
• Throw out any canned goods that become swollen, dented, or corroded.
• Use or rotate foods before expiration dates and replace them with fresh supplies (even though many foods are okay beyond their ‘use-by’ or ‘sell-by’ dates)
• Change stored food and water supplies every 6 to12 months.
• Re-evaluate your food and water storage needs annually.

Learn more: http://modernsurvivalblog.com/survival-kit/how-to-choose-the-best-foods-for-a-72-hour-survival-kit/

Ken Jorgustin