Choosing Emergency Food Bars Wisely

When building an emergency kit, we can all agree that having sustenance is critical for survival.

By choosing emergency food bars wisely based on shelf life and nutritional value, you can assemble food rations to sustain you through a crisis.

In this article, we'll cover how to select high quality, long-lasting emergency food bars to include in your kit, outlining key criteria like ingredients, sourcing, dietary considerations, and official certifications.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Emergency Food Bars

Emergency food bars are a critical component of any survival kit. Having a reliable, nutritious food source in an emergency situation can literally mean the difference between life and death. Selecting food bars with a sufficiently long shelf life ensures they will be there when you need them most. Focusing on nutritional content and palatability also increases the likelihood you will actually consume them during stressful circumstances.

Understanding the Role of Emergency Food Bars in Survival Kits

Emergency food bars serve several key functions in a survival kit:

Provide concentrated calories and nutrients to maintain energy levels when access to food is scarce
Are specially formulated to stay edible for years, unlike normal food items
Require no preparation, cooking, refrigeration etc. - just open and eat
Are compact and lightweight compared to other survival food options
Can be stand-alone meals or supplements to stretch other food supplies

In short, emergency food bars enable survivors to stave off hunger and remain nourished, buying precious time until rescued or until longer-term solutions become available.

Criteria for the Best Emergency Food Bars

When selecting emergency food bars, key buying criteria include:

Shelf Life - Aim for 5+ years of shelf life. The longer the better, as you don't know when an emergency might occur.
Nutritional Content - Seek bars with a balance of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins/minerals. Avoid those high in sugar and low in nutrients.
Taste - It should taste reasonably good. You want peace of mind knowing you can actually eat it when needed.
Portability - Bars should be lightweight and packable. Consider single-serve packets.
Affordability - Shop for deals, but don't sacrifice too much quality to save money either.

Carefully evaluating bars against these criteria results in an emergency food supply you can truly rely on both now and for years into the future.

What is the best food to stock up on for emergencies?

When building an emergency food supply, it's important to have nutrient-dense foods with a long shelf life. Some of the best options to stock up on include:

Emergency Food Bars

Emergency food bars are compact, calorie-dense bars designed specifically for disaster preparedness. When choosing emergency food bars for your stockpile, consider:

Shelf life: Look for bars with a shelf life of 5+ years. Bars stored properly in a cool, dry place can last even longer.
Ingredients: Choose bars with healthy ingredients like nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. Avoid bars high in sugar and preservatives.
Calories: Many bars provide 200-400 calories to help meet energy needs in an emergency.
Taste: Consider taste too - you want something palatable if you ever need to rely on your stockpile.

Popular picks like Datrex Emergency Food Bars or S.O.S. Food Bars check these boxes.

Canned and Dried Goods

In addition to emergency food bars, stock up on:

Canned goods like chili, soup, and vegetables
Dried goods like grains, pasta, dried fruit and vegetables

Focus on nutritious, hearty items with long shelf lives. Avoid canned goods with high sodium content.

Rotate and replace items in your stockpile before expiration. Store emergency food in a cool, dry place to maximize shelf life. With the right supplies, you can be confident you have reliable food to turn to if disaster strikes.

How to make emergency food ration bars?

Making your own emergency food ration bars can be a cost-effective way to prepare for disasters or outdoor excursions. Here are some tips for DIY survival bars using simple pantry ingredients:

Ingredients

The ingredients for a basic survival bar include:

Water - Binds the ingredients together
Sugar - Provides carbohydrates for energy
Honey - Natural sweetener with antimicrobial properties
Powdered milk - Adds protein, calcium, and nutrients
Oats - Provides fiber, protein, and nutrients
Jell-O - Acts as a gelling agent to solidify the bars

You'll also need a 9x13 baking pan and parchment paper or foil to line it.

Directions

Line the baking pan with parchment or foil, allowing some overhang to easily remove the finished bars
In a large pot, combine the water, sugar, honey, powdered milk and oats. Heat over medium, stirring frequently, until thickened to a dough consistency
Remove from heat and mix in the Jell-O powder until fully incorporated
Press the mixture firmly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top
Allow it to fully set at room temperature before cutting into bars

DIY survival bars like these check a lot of boxes for emergency preparedness. They are affordable, store well long-term, travel easily, and provide a boost of energy from carbohydrates and protein. Adjust ingredients to suit individual tastes or dietary needs.

What is an emergency bar?

An emergency food bar is a compact, nutrient-dense food ration designed to be included in survival kits and emergency rations. These bars are made to withstand extreme temperatures and have a long shelf life, making them a practical addition to any prepper's supplies.

Emergency food bars are different from energy bars or protein bars you might take to the gym. They are formulated to provide enough calories, macronutrients, and micronutrients to sustain you in an emergency situation.

Some key features of emergency food bars include:

Long shelf life - Many emergency food bars can last 5+ years when stored properly. This makes them useful for extended crises when food may be scarce.
High calorie - A single bar may contain 300-500 calories to help maintain energy levels in a stressful situation.
Fortified with vitamins and minerals - Emergency bars provide 100% RDA of essential vitamins and minerals you need to stay healthy.
Compact and lightweight - Bars take up little space and are easy to stash in bags, survival kits, vehicles, etc.

When selecting emergency food bars for your prepper supplies, prioritize bars with long shelf lives and reputable ingredients over taste. The bottom line is providing nutrition to keep you alive, not snacking enjoyment.

How long do emergency food bars last?

Emergency food bars are an important part of any survival kit. When choosing emergency food, it's critical to understand how shelf life impacts your preparedness. Here are some key factors to consider:

Shelf Life

Emergency food bars are designed for long shelf life. Many have a 5-year expiration date if stored properly.
The longer the shelf life, the less often you need to replace bars in your kit. This saves time and money over the long run.
Check label for expiration date before purchasing. Prioritize bars with 4-5 year shelf lives.

Storage Conditions

Store bars in a cool, dry place around room temperature. Temperature fluctuations can shorten shelf life.
Ensure storage area is dark. Light exposure can accelerate food degradation.
Bars last longest when stored in original airtight packaging. Opened bars have shorter shelf life.

Ingredient Quality

Shelf-stable bars use freeze-dried fruits/veggies, whole grains, nuts, etc. These retain nutrients better over time.
Avoid bars with artificial preservatives, colors or flavors. These degrade faster.
U.S. Coast Guard-approved bars meet strict standards for nutritional content and shelf life.

By understanding shelf life factors, you can choose the emergency food that best retains nutrients and lasts over time. This ensures you have an emergency food supply when you need it most.

Key Considerations When Selecting Emergency Food Bars

When building an emergency kit, including high-quality food bars is essential. Emergency food bars can provide the sustenance you need to survive when access to food is limited. However, with many options on the market, choosing the right bars takes some consideration.

Emergency Food Bars Long Shelf Life: Ensuring Sustainability

One of the most important factors when selecting emergency food bars is the shelf life. Since they are meant for unexpected emergencies, you'll want bars that can hold up over time. Look for bars with at least a 5-year shelf life. Ingredients like freeze-dried fruits, vegetables, and meat can boost shelf life. Proper storage and packaging also play a role. Bars stored in a cool, dark place in an airtight container will last longer.

Nutritional Profile: Balancing Ingredients for Survival

Emergency situations place immense physical and mental strain on the body. The ingredients in your food bars should help you endure this, not weigh you down. Seek a mix of protein, complex carbs, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Ingredients like oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit provide an energy boost. Meat and legumes offer protein for strength. Avoid too much sugar and salt which can dehydrate you faster. Going with bars made of whole, nutrient-dense ingredients provides what you need to power through challenges.

Taste and Palatability: Choosing Bars You'll Want to Eat

When in survival mode, morale is crucial. If your emergency food bars taste unappealing, eating them takes effort versus providing comfort. Seek softer, chewy textures and bars with ingredients you enjoy. Cocoa, cinnamon, vanilla and fruit flavors tend to be crowd-pleasers. If possible, sample single bars before buying bulk. Having palatable bars on hand makes getting nutrition easier in high-anxiety situations, giving you one less thing to worry about.

Understanding the Nutritional Aspects of Emergency Food Bars

Emergency food bars are designed to provide the critical nutrients needed for survival when access to regular meals is disrupted. Choosing bars with the right balance of macronutrients like protein, fats, and carbohydrates ensures you get sufficient energy from your emergency rations. The vitamins and minerals packed into these compact foods also support continued good health when traditional food sources are unavailable.

Macronutrients: The Energy Providers in Emergency Food Bars

Macronutrients like protein, fats, and carbohydrates are the key sources of energy in emergency food bars.

Protein provides 4 calories per gram. High protein bars with at least 12-15 grams ensure you feel full and maintain muscle mass when activity levels may be higher during an emergency.
Fats give 9 calories per gram. Bars with 5-10 grams of plant-based fats supply essential fatty acids and boost absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
Complex carbohydrates offer 4 calories per gram. Opt for bars with nutritious whole food sources like oats, quinoa, or brown rice over simple sugars. Slow-digesting carbs provide steady energy over 3-4 hours.

When stocking emergency rations, get a mix of bars with balanced macronutrients. Pairing a high-carb bar for quick energy with a high protein or high fat bar for sustained energy ensures your body gets the right fuel when managing an emergency situation.

Micronutrients: The Hidden Essentials for Survival

While macronutrients deliver energy, micronutrients like vitamins and minerals support critical bodily functions during stressful scenarios.

Emergency food bars cram as much micronutrient density into a small package as possible. Key micronutrients to look for include:

B Vitamins: Supports energy production and nervous system health.
Vitamin C: Boosts immune function and iron absorption.
Vitamin D: Regulates blood pressure and supports bone health.
Iron: Oxygenates blood to boost energy levels.
Magnesium: Relaxes muscles and steadies heart rhythm.

Micronutrients work synergistically, so choose bars providing 100% Daily Value across a broad spectrum of vitamins and minerals. Pair bars with different micronutrient profiles for comprehensive coverage.

Special Dietary Needs: Kosher, Gluten-Free, and Organic Options

Those with special diets can find emergency food bars catering to their needs:

Kosher bars adhere to Jewish dietary laws, avoiding pork and shellfish ingredients.
Gluten-free bars exclude wheat, barley, rye, and contaminated oats.
USDA Organic bars meet production standards using 95% organic ingredients.

Carefully read nutrition labels to confirm bars meet any dietary restrictions. Having emergency rations aligned with everyday eating patterns ensures you avoid adverse reactions during high-stress scenarios.

Evaluating Ingredient Quality and Sourcing in Emergency Food Bars

Evaluating the ingredients and sourcing of emergency food bars is critical to determining their nutritional value and safety. When selecting emergency food, it's important to understand what's really inside to ensure you're getting quality nutrition without harmful additives.

Ingredient Transparency: What's Really Inside Your Emergency Food Bar

Clear labeling and ingredient transparency are vital when choosing emergency food bars. Reputable brands should list all ingredients, highlight potential allergens, and provide sourcing information. Be wary of bars with vague ingredient lists or that use terms like "natural flavors" without further explanation. Prioritize bars that specifically list all components, including vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, and flavorings. Understanding exactly what's in your food gives you control over what you're putting in your body during an emergency.

Organic and Non-GMO Ingredients: Do They Matter in Emergencies?

In everyday situations, choosing organic and non-GMO ingredients is ideal. But in emergency contexts, the nutritional content and shelf stability of food bars may matter more. Organic certification requires agricultural processes that aid shelf life. And GMOs themselves are not inherently harmful - rather, the pesticides sometimes used on GMO crops can be. When selecting emergency food, consider balancing these factors instead of outright eliminating non-organic or GMO containing bars. An emergency is not the time to be picky if other considerations like calories, vitamins, and shelf life are met.

Allergen-Free Options: Ensuring Safety for All

Those with food allergies or intolerances require special consideration when selecting emergency food bars. Clear gluten-free or allergen-free labeling helps identify which bars may be unsafe for those with dietary restrictions. Choosing bars with transparent allergen labeling, and having variety in your emergency kits, ensures safety for all people needing emergency food supplies. Having clearly marked allergy-friendly options makes emergency situations less dangerous for those with special diets.

Practical Considerations for Including Emergency Food Bars in Your Kit

Packaging and Portability: Taking Your Emergency Food Bars Anywhere

Emergency food bars are designed for portability and protection from the elements. Many brands use lightweight, durable packaging like thick foil pouches. These help keep bars intact and edible for years while taking up minimal space and adding little weight to your pack.

When selecting emergency food, consider if packaging is:

Lightweight
Compact (fits in pockets/small spaces in pack)
Waterproof and airtight
Tear-resistant

Bars that check these boxes make excellent additions to survival kits for camping/hiking, natural disasters, or general emergency preparedness.

Ease of Use: Accessibility in Stressful Situations

In high-stress situations like natural disasters, emergency food bars should be easily accessible and consumed. Consider how packaging opens, especially with cold, wet, or shaky hands under duress. Easy tear notches, tabs, or strips make accessing calories simpler.

Many bars do not require preparation or cooking. They are compact, grab-and-go sources of nutrition. However, some varieties can be dry and require emergency water. Carry portable water pouches or LifeStraws to aid swallowing if needed.

When evaluating bars, test opening packaging and consumption to determine ease of use in emergencies. If difficult, consider alternatives like dried fruits, nuts, jerky for quick energy.

Integration with Other Survival Food: Building a Comprehensive Kit

Emergency food bars conveniently deliver calories and nutrients in harsh conditions. To build a robust survival kit, use them as one component of a layered food strategy.

Good additions alongside bars include:

Foraging gear - fishing tackle, snare wire, firearms (where permitted) - Long shelf life items like honey, salt, rice, oats - Water filtration like U.S. Coast Guard-approved LifeStraws
Food rations, MREs with heating capability
Backup lighter, cooking stove, fuel

Pairing bars with items like these equips you to obtain, prepare, and store diverse foods for sustained survival if evacuating or sheltering.

Test kits frequently by living out of them for 48-72 hours. Replace expired items as needed. This ensures you have emergency food and tools to truly endure a crisis.

Selecting U.S. Coast Guard-Approved Emergency Food Bars

The U.S. Coast Guard sets standards for emergency food rations, including survival food bars, to ensure they provide adequate nutrition and calories in an emergency situation. Their seal of approval signifies that a product meets certain criteria for quality, safety, and reliability.

Standards and Certifications: Trusting the Seal of Approval

The U.S. Coast Guard has strict requirements regarding nutritional content, shelf life, and packaging for emergency food bars. To receive U.S. Coast Guard approval, bars must contain at least 400 calories and meet certain levels of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. They must retain their nutritional value and pass taste tests for up to five years in storage. The packaging also must meet durability specifications. With U.S. Coast Guard certification, consumers can trust that the bars will be nutritious and effective when needed in an emergency.

Comparing Approved vs. Non-Approved Bars

U.S. Coast Guard-approved bars adhere to higher quality standards than non-approved bars. The approval process validates their calorie count, nutritional content, and long shelf life. Some non-approved bars may have inaccurate labeling or lose nutrients over time. They could leave you lacking energy or key nutrients in an emergency situation. For reliable, nutritious emergency rations, it's best to choose U.S. Coast Guard-certified products.

Navigating the Market: Where to Find Approved Emergency Food Bars

U.S. Coast Guard-approved emergency food bars can be found online and in some outdoor recreation and survival stores. When searching for emergency food bars, look for the U.S. Coast Guard approval seal on the packaging. Some reputable preparedness brands, like Datrex, SOS, and Mainstay, offer certified bars. You can also check the U.S. Coast Guard's list of approved survival rations for the most up-to-date information. Selecting U.S. Coast Guard-approved bars ensures you get quality, nutrition, and reliability in critical situations.

Conclusion: Assembling Your Optimal Emergency Kit with Quality Food Bars

When assembling an emergency preparedness kit, including high-quality food bars can provide critical sustenance during a crisis. As discussed, key factors to consider when selecting emergency food bars include:

Recap: The Pillars of a Wise Emergency Food Bar Selection

Shelf life: Prioritize options with longer shelf lives of 5+ years to ensure freshness.
Ingredients: Seek bars with whole food ingredients that provide balanced nutrition. Consider special dietary needs.
Taste: Sample different bars to find palatable options tailored to your preferences.
Budget: Balance cost considerations with your specific nutritional needs and taste priorities.
Storage: Properly store bars as indicated on packaging to preserve freshness and shelf life.

Final Thoughts: Balancing Cost, Quality, and Preferences

When stocking your emergency kit, find the right balance between budget, nutrition, and taste that meets your situation. Focus on quality bars that deliver reliable nutrition, while sampling options to ensure palatability. Proper storage can help premium bars stay fresh for years to come when you need them most.

Prioritizing the key pillars around ingredients, shelf life, taste and budget can help you assemble emergency provisions tailored to your personal needs. Equipped with quality survival food bars, your emergency kit will provide sustenance when you need it the most.