Emergency Meals 8 Things To Consider. The importance of emergency meals has long been recognized by experienced survivalists and avid campers, however more recently, the wider population is beginning to appreciate their value.
Another lockdown, more self-isolation, and the growing concerns of extreme weather are a few reasons why more and more people are thinking about their own preparedness. While their thoughts may turn to all sorts of essentials such as survival clothing, handy tools and first-aid equipment, it is often emergency meals that top their list of priorities.
So whether preparing your emergency meal supplies is a necessary task, like cleaning your survival armour kit or a fun afternoon down at the mall with your kids choosing your own survival meals plan, there is plenty to think about when making the key decisions.
You might already have some experience selecting a freeze-dried menu for your camping trips, and if so, you’ll be a step ahead of the game when it comes to preparing for your emergencies. Many considerations are the same between planning for the relative knowns of a camping trip and contingency plans for the unknowns of a crisis, but some are very different.
Below are 8 Things To Consider in Emergency Meals to have peace of mind and best preparation.
1. Amount Of Food
The very nature of an emergency includes the element of uncertainty. How much food do you need to have? How many mouths are you feeding? How many days are you preparing for? And how much storage space do you have?
The most repeated advice says if it’s an evacuation pack that will require carrying your emergency meal, prepare for 72 hours; if it’s a case of bunkering down at home, prepare for 3 weeks.
2. Quality Ingredients
It is crucial to check the nutritional value of what you are packing to eat, and calories are a must. You should typically look for between 200-300 calories a meal, but it’s good practice to consult your doctor as this is often a personal matter. Also, watch out for nutrients; some suppliers skimp here and instead load up on carbohydrates and fats.
Keep an eye on sodium levels too, it has preservative qualities, but some brands go overboard. It’s not always achievable and may require shopping around, but if you have the time and means, look for servings that offer a minimum of 10g of protein.
3. Durability
Another aspect of quality is how long the food will last. Who knows how soon after purchase, the emergency will occur. Canned food is more widely available but has a much shorter shelf life, typically maxing out at 3 years, while freeze-dried food could go up to 30 years.
Check the packaging for information; the variation can be significant. And review the packaging for its durability. Does it look like it will survive a fall? Does it feel like it will maintain its airtight integrity despite a knock?
4. Taste
OK, we have already established this is an emergency we are preparing for, and it’s not going to be Michelin dining, but that doesn’t mean everything has to taste like cardboard either. Survival suppliers have come a long way in upping their game where taste and variety are concerned, and having a little something to ease the emergency eating blues is worth considering.
Watch out, of course, for your own dietary idiosyncrasies and read the label carefully for anything that might set off an allergy.
5. Space
Clear links to the first consideration of ‘amount of food’ here, though the correlation between the amount of food purchased and the amount of space it will take up in your EDC pack isn’t exact. Some food options are just more space-friendly, and space, together with weight, are vital considerations, especially if you are on the move.
Some ready-to-go packs will come in great space-saving containers, and bucket-shaped containers are increasingly common.
6. Preparation
What’s it going to take to turn that freeze-dried packet into a consumable meal? The most streamlined options require little more than mixing it with water and giving it a stir. Others assume a lighter degree of emergency and allow mixing condiments and side dishes according to taste.
7. Cost
This last one is a common problem. What’s the point of saving money on your emergency kit; yet, it doesn’t see you through the emergency?
If you don’t have to be wary of the dollars going into your emergency preparation, count yourself blessed and buy the best emergency meals available. However, if you are on a budget, there are still some excellent options available, but it may take some shopping around and just remember to look at your nutritional needs.
8. Storage
The requirements for safe storage are very similar from one pack to another. Adding an extra stick of beef jerky or substituting a higher calorie granola bar for a lower calorie one isn’t changing the way you need to store your meals.
Whatever the contents of your emergency meals, storage is important, and the advice on best practices is consistent. Keep things stored in a cool, dry, dark room where temperatures remain within the 55 degrees to 75 degrees Fahrenheit bracket.
Don’t wait! Prepare yourself with emergency meals today!
These 8 Things To Consider in Emergency Meals will help you find the perfect nutrient-filled packages to get you through any crisis, but don’t wait; prepare yourself with emergency meals today!
With your meals sorted and other essentials checked off the emergency preparation list, you have prepared for the unforeseeable the best as you can.
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