An Introduction to Survival Food
Survival food provides sustenance when access to normal food sources is disrupted, such as during natural disasters like hurricanes, blizzards, or earthquakes. Having a stockpile of nonperishable foods can help you survive emergencies or disasters when grocery stores are inaccessible. Survival foods should be nutritious, long-lasting, and easy to store and transport. Examples of great survival foods include MREs (Meals Ready to Eat), canned goods like tuna, chicken, and chili, dried foods like rice and pasta, and freeze-dried meals from Wise Company. WeLovePrepping.com offers a wide selection of high-quality survival food products to keep your family nourished in an emergency.
Defining Survival Food and Its Importance
Survival food refers to nonperishable foods designed to provide nutrition during emergencies when normal food sources are disrupted. Having at least a 3-day supply of survival food for your household provides food security if stores close or power is lost for an extended period. Stockpiling survival food gives you independence and resilience in times of disruption caused by natural disasters, cyber attacks, economic collapse, or civil unrest. Preppers recommend having at least a 3-month supply of survival food for your household. WeLovePrepping.com helps you determine ideal survival food quantities with storage calculators tailored to family size and disaster scenarios.
Key Criteria for Choosing Survival Foods
When stocking survival food, prioritize options with a long shelf life of 5+ years to ensure freshness when needed. Seek calorie- and nutrient-dense foods that provide energy and nutrition in small servings. Portability is key - choose lightweight, packable foods for bug out bags. Taste and variety boost morale - select familiar, comforting foods your family enjoys eating. MREs from WeLovePrepping.com offer great-tasting meals and snacks that stay fresh for 5+ years, even in extreme temperatures.
Types of Survival Food and Key Examples
MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) are portable, self-contained military-grade meals with entrees, snacks, and drinks. Canned goods like tuna, chicken, chili, and vegetables are nutritious, affordable survival staples. Dried foods like rice, beans, pasta, and jerky rehydrate with water and boast long shelf lives. Freeze-dried meals from Wise Company are lightweight, compact and reconstitute with hot water in 10-15 minutes. WeLovePrepping.com provides all these survival food types, including delicious Wise freeze-dried breakfasts, entrees, and fruits.
Proper Storage and Maintenance of Survival Food
Store survival food in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, moisture, and extreme temperatures to maximize shelf life. Check expiration dates every 6 months and rotate stock to use oldest items first. Re-pack bulk rice and beans into Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers to prolong freshness up to 30 years. WeLovePrepping.com offers detailed guides on ideal survival food storage methods.
Integrating Survival Food into Your Emergency Plan
Take inventory of current emergency food/water and estimate amounts needed for your household plan. Make a list of survival foods and quantities based on family members and projected length of disruption. Place supplies in easily accessible locations around home and workplace, plus evacuation bags. Set reminders to check dates and replenish items every 6-12 months before they expire. WeLovePrepping.com provides emergency plan templates, calculators for survival food quantities, and checklists for stocking up.
Types of Survival Food and Key Options
Canned goods, MREs, dried rice and beans, and Wise Company freeze-dried meals provide nutritious, long-lasting food when normal sources are unavailable. WeLovePrepping.com offers all these survival food types and more to meet your family's needs in an emergency.
Canned Goods
Canned tuna, chicken, chili, fruits, vegetables, and soups can last 2-5 years unopened. Seek low or reduced sodium options. Stash cans in a fixed stockpile location and use within 2 years for best quality. WeLovePrepping.com teaches how to build a 3-6 month canned food reserve.
MREs (Meals Ready to Eat)
MREs are portable, self-heated military meals with entrees like spaghetti, chicken breast, or beef ravioli providing 1200 calories. MREs include snacks like crackers, trail mix, and desserts. MREs last 5+ years and survive extreme temperatures. WeLovePrepping.com provides authentic MRE cases and civilian versions like Meal Kits Supply.
Dried Foods
Rice, beans, oats, pasta, and dehydrated fruits and vegetables provide inexpensive calories and lasting nutrition when stored properly. Nitrogen-flushed buckets add years of shelf life. Combine with sauces and spices for more flavor. WeLovePrepping.com offers bulk dried food kits for emergency use.
Freeze-Dried Meals
Wise Company freeze-dried breakfasts, entrees, fruits, and veggies retain 97% of nutrients but just 3% of the weight. Hot water reconstitutes in 10-15 minutes. WeLovePrepping.com provides Wise freeze-dried foods with 25+ year shelf lives, superior taste, and huge variety.
Building a Balanced Survival Food Supply
Choose familiar foods your family already enjoys for comfort and convenience. Include proteins, fruits/veggies, whole grains, beans, oils, and milk for complete nutrition. Having ~50% carbs, 30% fats, and 20% protein provides energy, vitamins, and lasting fuel. Varied flavors, textures, and meal types boost morale when stressed. Sufficient food and water is critical - store at least 1 gallon per person daily. WeLovePrepping.com's pre-made food kits provide turnkey, nutritionally balanced survival nutrition.
Proteins
Stock canned tuna/chicken, beef jerky, peanut butter, and beans. Proteins provide satiety, sustained energy, and help maintain strength and muscle mass. Rotate canned meats annually and replace jerky by expiration date. WeLovePrepping.com offers protein-packed MREs, cans, and pouches.
Fruits and Vegetables
Having canned, dried, or freeze-dried produce prevents vitamin/mineral deficiencies. Aim for at least 3-5 daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Add variety with single-serve pouches or frozen options. WeLovePrepping.com provides canned goods and Wise Company freeze-dried produce.
Grains, Beans and Starches
Rice, quinoa, oats, whole wheat pasta, and beans offer complex carbs and fiber for sustained energy. Store in oxygen-free Mylar bags or vacuum sealed buckets to prolong freshness up to 30 years. WeLovePrepping.com provides bulk grains and legumes for emergency use.
Calcium and Fats
Dried milk, shelf-stable cheese, nuts, oils, butter, and ghee provide key nutrients and concentrated calories. Rotate canned dairy within 6-12 months to avoid spoilage. WeLovePrepping.com stocks Wise Company freeze-dried dairy and Mountain House butter powder with 20+ year shelf lives.
Hydration and Calorie Needs
Stock at least 1 gallon of water per person daily for survival needs. Adults need 2000-2500 calories in an emergency. Adjust for special diets, medical needs, and activity levels. WeLovePrepping.com sells water storage containers and filters plus food tailored for restricted diets.
Stocking Up on Survival Foods Within Your Budget
Take inventory of existing food stocks and build up staples first. Purchase larger-quantity bags of rice, oats, pasta, etc. to save. Buy extra canned/dried goods on sale and use coupons or rebates. Generic brands can provide cost savings on some items. WeLovePrepping.com offers members-only discounts on top freeze-dried and MRE brands.
Creating a Survival Food Budget
Consider the duration of supply needed - experts recommend at least 3 months of food/water. Calculate daily calories and nutrients needed per person in your household. Estimate costs for those quantities based on current prices. Factor in water, supplements, food rotation, and storage accessories. WeLovePrepping.com's food calculator helps build a realistic budget.
Sample Budget for Family of 4 for 3 Months
Canned goods: $250 Dried rice, beans, oats: $180 Freeze-dried dairy: $150 MREs: $600 Freeze-dried fruits/veggies: $220 Dried pasta, sauces, oil: $130 Food total: $1530 Water (1 gal/person/day) total: $300 Storage accessories: $170 Total budget: $2000
Getting the Best Deals
Watch for sales, coupons, and promotions on shelf-stable items. Purchase bulk dried goods directly from suppliers online. Compare costs per ounce or serving between brands. WeLovePrepping.com offers members-only discounts of 25% off Wise Company freeze-dried foods and 15% off authentic MRE cases.
Cutting Costs Without Sacrificing Nutrition
Choose house brands for staples like rice, beans, and pasta. Cook from scratch using stored ingredients. Forage for free wild edibles like dandelion greens or fish if needed. WeLovePrepping.com teaches economical cooking methods, foraging, and budget-friendly meal planning.
Creative Ways to Build Your Stockpile
Use grocery rebates and coupons to lower costs. Participate in food co-ops to buy bulk items wholesale. Grow your own fruits, vegetables, and beans. Use Our Trading Post at WeLovePrepping.com to barter goods and services for survival supplies.
Conclusion
Having an adequate stockpile of survival food enables self-reliance in disruptive emergencies when stores close. With planning, proper budgeting and storage, you can safeguard your family with shelf-stable nutrition tailored to their tastes and needs. WeLovePrepping.com provides the food selection, calculators, and resources to cost-effectively build and maintain the ideal emergency food supply for your household's unique situation. Investing in survival food provides peace of mind and ensures your family's food security now and for years to come.
