Basic Survival Food List

If you and your family are faced with an emergency situation, such as being isolated in the wilderness or after a natural disaster, you will need a basic inventory of food to survive. And, even if you are within reach of local officials or relief workers, they can’t always reach everyone immediately. You may go days, or much longer, without help. That makes it all the more important to know what food you need most to survive.

Water

• The exact amount varies, but the human body is made up of about 70 percent water. That underscores the point that clean drinking water has to be number one on your list for survival. If you have ample water supplies and a safe place to sleep, most people can live about three weeks without food. Even in the most ideal habitats, without water you have a week at the most.

  According to Ready America, a program run by the United States Department of Homeland Security, you should use the following guidelines on how much water you need:

  Every person should have a gallon of water for each day. This is for drinking and sanitation. Children, nursing mothers, and the sick may need more water. If you live in a warm climate, you may also need more water.

  You should always keep a three-day supply of water at a minimum for each person in the household. Store the water tightly in clean plastic containers.

Canned Food

• Canned food has its place in a survival situation, but mostly if you are stuck in a home, since it is bulky and heavy. How long your canned goods will stay edible depends on the type of container and food stored in it, but if they are stored properly, they can last up to a couple years.

Freeze-Dried/Dehydrated Food

• Freeze-dried or dehydrated foods are the ultimate survival food source. They are easy to store, light, and can stay fresh for 30 years. A six-week supply of food can fit under your bed. And, contrary to the sound of it, many dehydrated foods are quite tasty.

Food in Nature

• If you are in the wilderness, you have to know how to survive off of the land. Outside of your human companions, edible plants, fruits, berries and nuts are a survivor's best friends. It’s also just as important to know what you can’t eat. For the novice, it is a good idea to purchase a guide to edible wild plants.