Food that you've stockpiled for emergencies should provide you with the nutrition you need to keep functioning. It should also be food you'll actually eat and not dread. Keep enough food on hand for at least three days, if not longer--the National Hurricane Center recommends three to seven days, while the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness in Louisiana advises preparing enough for two weeks. Keep track of expiration dates and continually rotate food out and restocking to keep your supply fresh. Emergency food should be as shelf-stable and as ready-to-eat out of the package as possible, as you might not have electricity to run a refrigerator or a stove with which to cook. In addition to food, stock at least 1 gallon of water for each person in the household per day, plus can openers, plates, napkins and other utensils.
Canned Food
If you have the room for it and remember to pack can openers, store canned meat, vegetables, fruit and pasta. Cans of tuna, or better yet, foil packs that don't require a can opener, are an option, too. Check the cans carefully to ensure they are not bulging or dented, and aim for low- or no-sodium foods--FEMA says salt can increase the amount of water you want to drink, which could possibly deplete your store of water.
Dried Goods
Add dried foods like beef jerky and dried fruit to the mix. Again look for sturdy packaging, far-off expiration dates and low salt levels. Ensure these are foods you'd actually eat and that everyone in your household is willing to eat. Should you have to evacuate, these will be easier to carry than cans.
Carbohydrates and Grain Products
Emergency situations aren't the time to worry about staying on low-carb diets. You must get enough carbohydrates to provide your body with energy. Store unsalted crackers, chips, pretzels, cereal and granola. Look for pre-cooked, shelf-stable rice packs; these are often available in Asian markets. Also look for cheese-and-cracker and peanut-butter-and-cracker combinations that don't need to be refrigerated. These will increase your protein stores as well.
Shelf-Stable Drinks
Store individual-size servings of shelf-stable milk or soymilk packs. Include juices, too. If electricity is off, you won't have a cool refrigerator in which to store larger, opened boxes or bottles. These might have relatively short life spans before they expire, so check them often. You might want to keep a list of expiration dates written down.
Honey, Nuts and Protein or Energy Bars
In addition to canned and dried goods, nuts and energy bars provide ready-to-eat, highly portable nutrition. Nuts can go rancid, so inspect them often like you would with milk. Honey provides a shelf-stable sweetener.
Special Foods
Remember baby food, formula and any other food needed by family members with special diets. If you have any household members who can't eat other foods that you're storing, ensure you have adequate substitutes on hand. Reserve them for those members if necessary, though it is better to have every food you store be one that everyone can eat. Don't forget pet food, either.
Vitamins
FEMA recommends keeping vitamins on hand to supplement nutrition. Keep in mind some foods are already fortified, so ensure you aren't overdosing on a particular vitamin.
Snacks and Comfort Foods
Chances are you will be under stress after an event that necessitates breaking out the emergency supplies. Have a supply of cookies or whatever else you consider a comfort food on hand. Wrap them well so pests don't find them--use airtight containers.
References
- Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: Food & Water in an Emergency
- University of Missouri Extension: Stocking an Emergency Food 'Survival Pantry'
- FEMA: Ready America: Food
- National Hurricane Center: Disaster Supply Kit
- University of Wisconsin-Madison: Storing Food for Short-Term Emergencies
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