A mistake that many of us tend to do is presuming that disasters will never happen to us. We’re all guilty of thinking of natural disasters such as hurricanes, storms, earthquakes, or other natural disasters, such as the recent outbreak of the coronavirus, as far-away problems that we never have to deal with. However, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. With such disasters, the likeability of lacking access to freshwater, food, or electricity is extremely high. There are many steps that you can do to prepare yourself for these misfortunate events.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends having at least three days’ worth of stored food. If something ever goes down, you will be able to protect yourself, your loved ones, and maybe even help under-prepared neighbors. But how can you find emergency food supply kits that are suitable for you? Here are a few steps to help you find the right kit for you.
Ingredients
Choosing an emergency food kit might be a hard task, but it is made quite easy with a few factors in mind. The ingredients of your food supply should be at the top of your considerations. The list of ingredients is one of the most important indicators to determine whether or not an emergency kit is suitable for your needs. In emergencies, you won’t have the luxury to follow trendy diets. What is important is making sure that your food contains important nutrients that your body needs. It’s also important to make sure that the food supply kit doesn’t contain any food items that you or your family are allergic to.
Caloric Value
Fighting for survival doesn’t mean compromising your health. When you are looking for a suitable food kit, your health should be your number one concern. Many products can be easily preserved, and some more than others, however, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they are healthy or worth saving. While some food suppliers don’t pay enough attention to the caloric value, it’s highly recommended according to this Emergency Food Buyers Guide to take the caloric content of your food supply into account. In emergencies, humans are more likely to burn more calories than normal due to high-stress levels, energy exertion, and other hormonal changes your body goes through. We can’t stress this point enough, but the recommended number of calories is a minimum of 1800 calories per day for adults. Also, make sure that your meals have enough healthy fats, protein, and carbs to help you in maintaining health and high energy levels.
Cooking Methods
The cooking method needed for your emergency food supply kit is another crucial factor you need to pay attention to. The majority of food supply kits require water. You need to ensure that you have access to boiling water. If you won’t have access, you need to choose food supply kits that don’t use boiling water for the cooking method of its food supplies. In these situations, working on your skills and working survival equipment is essential. Prepare yourself to have access to boiling water even when the power is out. If you can’t do so, then it’s better to resort to freeze-dried or dehydrated substitutes.
Taste
While taste might be the least of your worries, it’s actually an important factor to consider when you are preparing your food supply kit for emergencies. It has been scientifically proven that tasty food is more likely to provide feelings of satisfaction and fullness. Without ensuring a palatable taste, you will be more likely to crave salty foods or sweets. Before making a rash decision, make sure to go through online customers’ reviews that have tried the kit you have in mind. This way, you will know whether or not the food you are about to order is delicious. This way, you will be able to determine if you will be able to survive off of it.
Specialized Diets
Forget about trendy diets or diets designated for weight loss. However, if you follow a special diet for a medical condition or concern, then it’s essential to take it into account while ordering the kit. Many companies provide special emergency food supply kits that cater to different specialized diets. With companies that offer this kind of flexibility, you can provide specific instructions about the suitable supply kit for you.
Preparing for emergencies should be a priority for every one of us. You never know when the next storm or earthquake is going to hit your area. Since it’s better to be safe than sorry, making sure that you have everything you might need in these situations is a must.
Macaroni and cheese, just add hot water.