Canned Food Items vs. Dehydrated or Freeze-Dried Food Items

Many people think that they need to spend thousands of dollars on a one year supply of freeze-dried foods in order to be properly stocked up. There are many people in the United States that don’t have the extra money that will allow them to spend major portions of their income on freeze-dried food items. While freeze-dried food items are great if you can afford them, there are several other ways you can build a year’s supply of food. Canned foods can be a great way to create a long term food storage program!


The Advantages

1.) Canned foods are generally less expensive and are already a major part of your food budget.

Special Note: Canned goods bought in bulk are approximately 25% of the cost of the same product offered in freeze-dried or dehydrated form.

2.) Canned foods will generally have more calories.

Special Note: Canned foods generally contain more calories in the form of fats than freeze-dried or dehydrated foods. Fat has more calories per ounce than most types of food.

3.) Many canned foods have additional water content. This will allow easier preparation. . The water content will vary depending on the type of canned food.

Special Note: Freeze-dried or dehydrated foods have little or no water content. This means you will need to store additional water to prepare your meals. This will be in addition to water needed for drinking and sanitation purposes.

4.) Canned foods have a very good shelf life of a year or more in most cases.

5.) Canned foods are readily available in a wide variety of types in most places.

6.) Canned foods are usually products that are familiar to your family and that they are already comfortable eating.

7.) The preparation of most canned foods is a familiar activity for most individuals and families.

8.) Many canned food items can be eaten without the need for additional cooking. If there is no power or heat available for cooking you will still be able to eat a satisfying meal.

9.) Many canned foods can be prepared or heated directly in the can. This makes the need for additional cooking gear minimal. This is great in an emergency situation.

10.) Canned foods are generally resistant to vermin (bugs, mice, rats, etc.).


The Disadvantages

1.) Canned foods take up more storage space. This is a very small sacrifice when compared with the money you will save.

2.) Canned foods are heavy. This is due mainly to their additional moisture content.

3.) Canned foods are more difficult to transport.

4.) They are susceptible to high moisture conditions and may rust and become unusable.

4.) You will need a good can opener! Most cans are difficult if not impossible to open without one. It would probably be a good idea to have several back-up can openers as well.

For persons or families on a budget, canned food items are an easy and simple way to build a long term food storage program.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker