'Eat In Case Of Emergency': Foods You Should Have On Hand When Disaster Strikes

Whether we've lived it, heard about it or seen it in a movie, we all know the scenario: disaster strikes and you're stuck inside your home. That's when all of your emergency prep work really comes in handy, including your preparedness kit, your backup light and heat sources and your crisis food supply.

Food isn't something that's always covered in emergency preparedness literature, and if it is, you'll likely see catch-all phrases like “canned” or “nonperishable.” However, making sure you're eating well and getting the right nutrients during a crisis can be one of the most important parts of your emergency planning.

What should be in your emergency pantry?

Many households already have a majority of the foods that work best in an emergency situation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For these households, a good strategy for building your emergency food supply is to increase the amount of these foods you have in storage.

These foods include:

• Nutritious cereal
• Granola bars and power bars
• Nuts, seeds and trail mixes
• Peanut butter
• Crackers
• Canned foods including soups, chilis and veggies
• Canned meats and fish

A common trend among all these foods is that they do not require refrigeration for storage and little to no preparation before you can eat them. The only necessary tools are a manual can opener and clean utensils.

These foods are high in important nutrients like protein, fiber and carbohydrates that will keep you energized and feeling full.

If there is an impending weather event that might cause an extended power outage or damage important infrastructure, you can prepare by buying fresh vegetables right before. Fresh fruits help keep your vitamin C levels up and keep you hydrated.

Some fruits that have a relatively long shelf life include:

• Apples
• Grapefruits
• Oranges
• Pears
• Avocados

If you prefer vegetables, cucumbers and summer squash like zucchini can be eaten raw and last for a few days outside of the refrigerator.

Don't forget about water! You should have at least one gallon of water per person per day, which depends on how long you expect to go without a clean water supply during an emergency.

Do you have enough food?

Whether it's a flood, a power outage, a major seismic event or a combination of disasters, it's important to think about how long you might be cut off from any food supply.

For most emergencies, a three-day food supply should be enough. A few things to keep in mind when building your supply include:

• Select foods that don't need refrigeration
• Select foods that need very little or no preparation
• Select foods that require little or no water

You can pack foods that need to be heated, but it's important that you also pack a grill or a camping cookstove with fuel.

A two-week food supply might be appropriate if you live in a rural area of somewhere that frequently experiences power outages. A few suggestions to keep in mind as you begin building your supply include:

• Pay close attention to ensure your foods are balanced nutritionally
• Plan supplies to ensure at least one meal a day includes a serving of grains, vegetables, protein and healthy fats
• Make a list of foods for each day and label them (Day 1-Day 14)

No matter what the ideal emergency supply of food is for you and your household, make sure you check labels periodically and replace anything that's past its expiration date.

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