Natural disasters are no mystery to everyone and we know
they happen. They are inevitable and the only thing we can do is to be prepared
for whatever these might bring. When disaster strikes, the first thing that
comes into mind is how you and your family would survive the onslaught of
calamity. Surviving means staying alive and to do this, you need food to keep
you going.
Anything can happen whenever there is a disaster. The
government may ask you to evacuate your house stay somewhere else safer for the
meantime or you might be prompted to stay at your house without leaving its
comfort. Both situations pose a problem when it comes to food and water
supplies: when you evacuate, will your family be given enough food and water? When
you have to stay in, will your supplies last until it’s safe to go out? Whichever
situation comes beating down your door, both call for preparation for long-term
food storage. You may bring well-stored food items with you if you have to
evacuate your home, and if there’s no other option for you but to stay, a
well-stocked food storage bin will keep you and your family from starvation.
Counting food for your
family
If you consider your family to be a big one, you should also
consider that a large amount of food supplies is needed to sustain everyone for
at least two weeks: that’s 42 meals for each family member if you will be eating
meals three times a day. Not only your family size but also your eating habits will
tell you how much food you need to store for the ‘rainy’ days that may come
your way. Families who prefer cereals for breakfast would have different
preparation activities from those who prefer eggs and sausages (who may have to
do without eggs during disaster time). A disaster is not the time to indulge in
food you like to eat; more often than not, you have to stick to canned food and
ready-mixes that can be easily prepared, even without cooking. You may take
individual needs in mind and work it into your disaster meal plan. Consider
your family size and diet restrictions when planning meals. The meals should be
simple but still nutritious, easily prepared, and are able to keep well even
without heating and refrigerating. Schedule “fresher” food for the first week
and leave the canned food for the second.
Food basics for survival
You might think that canned foods are the only choices you
can stock when disaster comes. Sure, canned goods get high marks for long term food storage but you don’t actually have to
stick to them entirely. Pasta, powdered milk, sugar, beans, honey, wheat and
several other recipe ingredients are actually good choices for long-term food
since they don’t expire quickly, and if properly stored should keep for a span
of 10 to 30 years. Non-perishable goods also make the list, like freeze-dried
or dehydrated food like fruit preserves and even candies. Biscuits and cookies may
also be a good choice. Just make sure that you seal them in re-sealable bags or
airtight containers to keep them fresh even if they have to stay in your
survival food bag for two weeks (unless they already get snacked on during the
first couple of days!). Ready-to-eat, complete meals are also available in grocery
stores.
Just remember not to wolf down all of your food provisions
at once. Moderate your food consumption; strictly follow your disaster meal
planning. Conserve your food especially when you are not sure when you will be
able to replenish your stocks. Don’t forget to keep enough supply of fresh water
as your body would need it more than food. Having food for your family amidst a
disaster ensures that you’re a step ahead to survive any calamity that may
happen at any time.
About the Author
References
The
Epicenter: How to Prepare for an Emergency;
Family
Survival Planning: Survival Planning – Emergency Supplies – Survival Tips;
The Daily
Beast: 10 Ways to Prepare for Disaster;
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2 comments:
the problem with the "rice,beans and wheat" mentality is that you need other stuff too.Just to make a tortilla you need a grinder and lard.You can eat the rice and beans alone,but not too many calories there.Salt,sugar,baking powder,all that for a loaf of bread,if you can cook it.For all that effort,I'll stick with bisquick and pancake mix over wheat.And canned soup is a LOT cheaper than the "long term" food stuff,and a can lasts just as long as they're can......
Preaching to the choir here, but don't neglect natural sources of food that grow in your area. Know how to identify and PRACTICE PREPARING them. Cooking from scratch in our fast food world is a lost art - many people I work with turn on a stove and eat at home once a week (!)
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