Food
Even though it is unlikely that an emergency would cut off your food supply for two weeks, you should consider preparing a supply that will last that long. The easiest way to develop a 2-week stockpile is to increase the amount of basic foods you normally keep on your shelves.
If your water supply is limited, try to avoid foods that are high in fat and protein, and don't stock salty foods, since they will make you thirsty. Familiar foods can lift morale and give a feeling of security in time of stress. Also, canned foods won't require cooking, water, or special preparation. Take into account your family's unique needs and tastes. Try to include foods that they will enjoy and that are also high in calories, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
Also consider:
Food options to avoid:
If your electricity goes off:
If your water supply is limited, try to avoid foods that are high in fat and protein, and don't stock salty foods, since they will make you thirsty. Familiar foods can lift morale and give a feeling of security in time of stress. Also, canned foods won't require cooking, water, or special preparation. Take into account your family's unique needs and tastes. Try to include foods that they will enjoy and that are also high in calories, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
- Pack at least a 3-day supply of nonperishable food and water, and store it in a handy place. You need to have these items packed and ready in case there is no time to gather food from the kitchen when disaster strikes.
- Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation, or cooking, and little or no water. Foods that are compact and lightweight are easy to store and carry.
- If you must heat food, pack a can of cooking fuel.
- Try to eat salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals, and canned food with high liquid content. Recommended foods include:
- Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables.
- Canned juice, milk, and soup (if powdered, store extra water).
- High-energy foods, such as peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, and trail mix.
- Comfort foods, such as hard candy, sweetened cereals, candy bars, and cookies.
- Instant coffee, tea bags.
- Foods for infants, elderly persons, or persons on special diets, if necessary.
Also consider:
- Compressed food bars. They store well, are lightweight, taste good, and are nutritious.
- Trail mix. Available prepackaged, or assemble your own.
- Dried foods. They can be nutritious and satisfying, but contain a lot of salt, which promotes thirst.
- Freeze-dried foods. They are tasty and lightweight, but will need water for reconstitution.
- Instant meals. Cups of noodles or cups of soup are a good addition, although they need water for reconstitution.
- Snack-sized canned goods. Good because they generally have pull-top lids or twist-open keys.
- Prepackaged beverages. Those in foil packets and foil-lined boxes are suitable because they are tightly sealed and will keep for a long time.
Food options to avoid:
- Commercially dehydrated foods. They can require a great deal of water for reconstitution and extra effort in preparation.
- Bottled foods. They are generally too heavy and bulky, and break easily.
- Meal-sized canned foods. They are usually bulky and heavy.
- Whole grains, beans, pasta. Preparation could be complicated under the circumstances of a disaster.
If your electricity goes off:
- First, use perishable food and foods from the refrigerator.
- Then, use the foods from the freezer. To minimize the number of times you open the freezer door, post a list of freezer contents on it. In a well-filled, well-insulated freezer, foods will usually still have ice crystals in their centers (meaning foods are safe to eat) for at least three days.
- Finally, begin to use nonperishable foods and staples.