Healthy Foods to Keep At All Times In Case Of A Natural Disaster

During the last years, our country has been faced with many 'storms of the century' and the importance of taking care of ourselves is becoming more and more apparent.  Counting on our local, state and federal governments has shown that help is inefficient and quite frankly, takes too long!  We need to take steps to make sure we are taking care of ourselves and our families.  Here are some healthy foods to keep at all times in case of a natural disaster.

Fueling our body during times of natural disasters is different than during normal times.  Our bodies are undergoing stress and we probably will be expending more energy.  High-quality, high-energy, high-protein foods should be focused on. 

According to Barry Swanson, a food scientist at Washington State University he says, “In a disaster or an emergency you want those calories.  You want some nutrients and some fiber—something to keep your diet normal.” 

It takes a bit of planning to gather the right types of food and keep track of expiration dates, but it's worth it when disaster strikes.  First, purchase some big plastic tubs from Walmart or Target and make sure you pack can openers in them.   You'll want to write somewhere on the container what is inside along with an expiration date for when you want to replace.  Replace what is inside once a year and donate the replacements.  Second, purchase a large container or two for collecting rain water.  Another tub for a makeshift toilet if necessary.  Buy lots of plastic liner bags.  Hey, you need to be prepared!  Think about getting a food saver system that will seal wrap your food as well once opened.

Okay, now for the food:

FOOD THAT HAS A LONG EXPIRATION:

Peanut Butter.  Purchase peanut butter that does not require refrigeration and that does not contain hydrogenated oils.  There are many on the market, read the labels.  Buy at least a dozen.

Powdered organic milk.  Try Now foods.  Organic milk does not have pesticides or hormones in it and will keep for a long time.

Nuts and trail mixes  Stock up on these high-energy foods—they’re healthful and convenient for snacking. Look for vacuum-packed containers, which prevent the nuts from oxidizing and losing their freshness.

Granola bars and power bars  They’re not only an excellent source of protein, but if you choose right, fiber and carbohydrates as well.  You don't need to eat a lot of food when you eat protein bars and they are very portable.  Stay away from all sugar and the glorified candy bar types.  Purchasing online and in bulk is more economical than purchasing individually.  GOOD GREENS bars, KIND bars are very good.
 
Dried fruits, such as apricots and raisins  In the absence of fresh fruit, these healthy snacks offer potassium and dietary fiber.  Buy organic, Trader Joes has a nice inventory of dried fruits that are reasonably priced and organic.  Purchase enough to last your family for 6 months.

Canned vegetables, such as green beans, carrots, and peas and beans
When the real deal isn’t an option, canned varieties can provide you with essential nutrients. Make sure you are buying as many organic as possible and try to buy as many cans of BPA free cans as well.

Canned Meats such as salmon, sardines, chicken  Generally lasting at least two years in the pantry, canned meats provide essential protein.  When purchasing canned salmon, make sure it's the cold water, Atlantic fish.

Canned soups and chili  Soups and chili can be eaten straight out of the can and provide a variety of nutrients. Purchase low sodium versions and again, try to buy some with BPA free cans.

Greens drinks  Powdered greens drinks are chock full of different green vegetables.  When fresh vegetables are scarce, these drinks take the place of five servings of vegetables or more!  Buy at least several bottles.

Multivitamins  Make sure to pack vitamins.  It's very important to get the needed nutrients when diets are deficient and bodies are stressed.

These are some healthy foods to keep at all times in case of a natural disaster, it goes without saying that bottled water is a necessity as well.  It is not necessary to purchase all these foods at once..rather start buying these foods every week and start storing them in your buckets.  Start rotating them after a year and donating.

If you have any other suggestions or tips, feel free to comment!