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Food Tips for Survival

Depending on your circumstances, there are different survival factors you need to take into consideration. If you are preparing for a long camping trip, evacuation due to a natural disaster or war, or chronic food shortages as a result of global scarcity, your priorities will be different. However, regardless of the situation, you should plan to provide 1,200 to 2,000 calories per day for each adult, if possible. If you need to be mobile, aim to get calorie-dense foods that don't take up as much space.

  1. Stocking Your Home

    • It's always wise to keep long-lasting food and bottled water stored in your home to prepare for a disaster that keeps you confined to your home, or for the event of global food shortages, which many people believe will become more likely in the future. #10 cans can preserve food for up to 30 years due to an enamel coating and oxygen removal and nitrogen flushing in the canning process. Mountain House produces entrees, breakfasts, vegetables and desserts in #10 cans. Freeze-dried foods are also good to have on hand.

    Evacuation Food Supplies

    • Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs) are used by the military to feed troops, but they are available commercially as well. Designed to withstand parachute drops, last for three years and provide 1,200 calories, they are more expensive and heavier than freeze-dried meals but they generally include a main course, side dish, dessert, powdered beverage mix, spoon, a flameless ration heater and other helpful tool and accessories. They typically weigh 18 oz. to 26 oz. Heating is not required, but it is recommended. You can purchase a box of 12 for about $65.

    Freeze-dried

    • Freeze-dried meals are similar to MREs, but weigh less and often cost less. Many feel the taste is superior, and there is a wide variety of meals available, like scrambled eggs with bacon, beef stroganoff and pasta primavera. A 72-hour emergency kit with 12 freeze-dried packages weighs three pounds and costs $51.50 at Mountain House. Individual meals can be purchased for $4 to $10, and they typically weigh between two oz. and 10 oz.

    Supplements

    • Approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, survival food bars are a compact way to supplement your emergency supplies at home, in your car or in your backpack while hiking. One package of MayDay apple cinnamon-flavored survival bars contains nine 3 oz. servings totalling 3,500 calories and costs $4.50. They have a shelf-life of five years.

      Regular granola bars and other snack bars don't last as long, but you can refresh your supplies regularly and store them in air-tight containers.

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