Food storage can be the backbone of survival when faced with a disaster or an emergency, but new preppers may be concerned about the cost of stockpiling freeze-dried or MREs in an emergency. Learn the best info about readywise.
There is an abundance of inexpensive survival foods available that can provide adequate calories and nutrition during an emergency.
1. One pan meals
As the name implies, quick and easy meals provide you with something delicious and nutritious in an emergency. They’re also relatively cost-effective alternatives like freeze-dried food items.
Rice, beans, whole wheat berries, and quinoa are among the best and cheapest survival food staples, providing essential nutrition over decades when stored properly. Other budget options for survival food storage may include canned fruits and vegetables, shelf-stable cheese (which, when stored properly, can last up to 25 years), powdered milk products, or powdered dairy alternatives.
One-pan meals make ideal weeknight dinners, requiring only one pot or pan and taking less than an hour to create. Try this delectable lemony oregano chicken and potato bake, a generous one-pan treacle and orange roast pork dish, or an indulgent cheesy mushroom and quinoa skillet dish!
2. Spices
Your survival pantry must include many different foods to support survival. Many people purchase pre-packaged “survival food,” like MREs and emergency ration bars; these may be effective options, but they’re more costly than essential grocery store items, which are already cheaper to acquire. If saving money is your goal, concentrating on stockpiling such basic supplies may help.
Include dry goods like rice, wheat, oats, and beans, as well as canned food such as tomatoes, corn, potatoes, and tuna in your pantry. Cheap staples like ketchup, sugar, and honey that last over ten years provide essential nutrition and calories.
Food storage should be made accessible. Many of these meals can be prepared quickly without refrigeration, while foods like jerky and dehydrated fruit have long shelf lives as well. A cheap staple you should keep on hand is salt – its long shelf life adds flavor to virtually all dishes while helping preserve meats as well. Likewise, consider supporting some ghee around; clarified butter heated to remove milk solids has even more extended storage capabilities than regular butter!
3. Lard
Lard is an age-old cooking fat that has fallen out of favor in many households yet should be brought back as an inexpensive survival food source. Lard’s high smoke point makes it ideal for frying applications, and baking techniques using it as a butter replacement yield flaky crusts or biscuits with delicate textures.
Crisco boasts an excellent nutritional profile and can withstand higher temperatures than vegetable oils, making it more stable at high temperatures than any vegetable oil. Although it contains saturated fat and cholesterol, contrary to popular belief, it does not contribute to heart disease – the issue lies with processed food such as Crisco, which contains hydrogenated oils that cause it.
Also, consider stockpiling peanut butter, honey, dried fruit, hard wheat berries, quinoa, and beans, as they offer versatility, nutrition, and extended storage lives.
4. Salt
Salt is an invaluable staple for survival food storage, lasting up to 25 years when stored correctly and having numerous uses. Plus, it’s relatively inexpensive. Search out bulk options or stock up when large jars go on sale; consider selecting unrefined Himalayan or sea salt varieties to save even more money!
Building an emergency food pantry on a budget requires prioritizing nutrient-rich foods that will aid your survival in an emergency. Avoid overspending on high-priced freeze-dried and MRE products that lack variety to meet nutritional needs.
Instead, consider bulk staples such as rice and beans, which provide a combination of carbohydrates (which convert quickly to energy), proteins, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. Rusks (commonly referred to as hardtack) is another traditional ship’s biscuit that’s easily made at home using flour, salt, water, and baking soda – plus their shelf life is long!
5. Sugar
Sugar will provide much-needed calories during times of emergency. Furthermore, when stored correctly, it should be kept for many months, so make sure to stock up the next time you shop for groceries.
Hasty pudding is one of the easiest and tastiest survival recipes you should know, with only three ingredients needed to create this delightfully nutritious treat. Packed full of carbohydrates and proteins, the hasty pudding will provide your body with essential nourishment in times of emergency.
Red beans and rice are an economical, filling, and nutritious survival meal, rich in proteins and minerals your body will require in an emergency. Plus, it’s simple to prepare and store.
Food that’s ideal for emergencies should be inexpensive, nutritious, and stored well for extended periods. Our ancestors relied on these types of staples during disasters; you should, too! While you may pay slightly more for emergency foods explicitly packaged to meet them, their value far outweighs this potential extra investment. Set up your survival pantry gradually; taking advantage of sales on bulk items and long-term storage items whenever available can save your life in an emergency.
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