San Andres is cracking. Yellowstone is erupting. A meteor is headed for earth and zombies are flooding the streets. Are you prepared? Whatever your favorite doomsday scenario may be, don’t wait for your survival instincts to kick in.
Having a plan could mean life or death. Experts suggest having all of your survival necessities ready to go in one place. You’ve got your clothes, survival tools, medications, and lots of matches. But what about food?
According to Harvard Medical School, daily nutritional values vary for each individual. On average, 2,000 calories a day is ideal. Calories should be sourced from lean proteins, complex carbs, and healthy fats. In most case, vitamins and minerals are plentiful in the foods we eat.
However, in an apocalyptic world, food will become extremely hard to find. Looting will occur, transportation will cease, and crops will die. Assuming you’re not Bear Grylls or an extreme ‘prepper’, there are key survivalist food supply items you will want to keep in your pantry.
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10. Beef Jerky
Yes, we know it’s loaded with sodium. But your body needs sodium. Unopened, beef jerky has a shelf life of 2 years making it a wonderful survival food.
One piece of beef jerky has about 7 grams of protein. It also contains magnesium and iron.
9. Potato Flakes
Can’t have the meat without the potatoes! Potatoes are loaded with vitamin C, potassium, and B-6. If stored properly, potato flakes can last up to 15 years! Most potato flakes purchased from the store or online come packaged airtight and compact. Just boil a bit of water, add to the flakes and cover. Voila! – Carb overload.
8. Oatmeal
Many people tend to forget the nutritional value of oats. If it means life or death, please ditch the no-carb diet. Oats offer high amounts of iron, calcium, fiber, vitamin A and B-6. They’re also a great source of protein. Very lightweight, having oats on hand can give you far more options when preparing survival food. Eat it plain or roll it up with some honey and dried fruits for the perfect apocalyptic snack.
7. Dried Fruits
Packaged properly, dehydrated fruits will last up to 5 years. According to The New York Times, dried fruits retain most of their nutrients, losing only a fraction of their water-soluble vitamins like C and B. After a few weeks, dried fruits will taste like candy. So, let your ‘Keto’ diet go extinct before you do!
6. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a great addition to any survivalist food supply. Aside from adding flavor and fat content to your food, it has great medicinal properties. Coconut oil is a natural, SPF 8 with antioxidants. It will moisturize and protect your skin against harsh weather. Coconut oil can also be used as a mouthwash. Swish with a dollop of oil for a few minutes then rinses with salt water. This will help protect against cavities and life-threatening abscesses.
5. Freeze Dried Foods
Also known as meals ready-to-eat, they’re lightweight and have plenty of variety to choose from. On average, the shelf life is 5-7 years. No heat or water required. Pick your favorite meals or choose food with the most beneficial nutrients. Ultimate survivalists suggest having these before s*** hits the fan.
4. Canned Vegetables
6 months into a doomsday scenario, you will probably offer up your pinky toe for a can of green beans. Canned vegetables are a great survival food because they can last up to 5 years, possibly even longer. They retain most of their nutritional value and do not need to be cooked. — Just remember to bring a can opener.
3. Peanut Butter
There’s a reason fishermen take peanut butter on long voyages. Opened peanut butter can last up to a year at room temperature. Unopened, it will last well past the best by date on the packaging. A top survival food must have, it is a good idea to keep a few jars on hand. Peanut butter contains iron, B-6, and magnesium. The best part, 2 Tbsp of this stuff has 8 grams of protein, 16 grams of fat, and over 200mg of potassium. The fat content may seem excessive for some, but we need fat to maintain many bodily functions.
2. Honey
Imagine your spouse when they’re hungry. Now imagine your spouse hungry while trying to outrun a zombie. —Trust us, bring the honey! Honey is a natural sweetener with lots of vitamins and minerals such as zinc and riboflavin. It will jazz up your otherwise bland food supply and last over 100 years. It can even help lure prey if you need to hunt.
Have a cut or burn? Honey is a portion of multifunctional survival food. Slab a good coat of honey over a wound to provide a natural antibiotic and protective layer.
1. Water
Water should always be the number one item on a Survivalist Food Supply list. Many healthcare professionals believe the human body cannot go more than a week without water. An average adult needs 64 ounces of water per day, more when physical activity is involved.
Bottled water is a great option. However, it is heavy and takes up a lot of space. Having a portable water filter or a way to boil water is a survival MUST. And never, under any circumstances drink salt water.
At the first sign of disaster, fill every container in your home. Many survivalist experts buy liners to fill their tubs as well. The average hot water tank holds anywhere from 20-80 gallons of water. —And you are going to need it.
Conclusion
In any survival situation, remember to keep calm. If you have a good plan and you’ve rationed your supplies, you’re ahead of most people out there. Always ration your supplies. Eat your perishables first. And when the world is in chaos, trust no one.
