Bulk Survival Foods
Bulk survival foods are typically inexpensive foods that can be bought in large quantities and stored in a range of different environments for long periods of time without going bad. In addition, they are often rich in nutritional content, like amino acids, vitamins and proteins, because they are intended to provide quality sustenance for extended lengths of time. The most common reasons for purchasing survival foods are to weather disasters and economic hardship. There are several major types of survival foods. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Canned Food
Canned food is one of the most popular options, as it is easy to store, fairly inexpensive and can be found almost anywhere. In addition, it is preserved in a way that helps prevent microorganisms from getting inside and spoiling it. There are many types of canned food, from vegetables and fruit to soups to meat and beans, which helps appeal to a wide range of people with an equally wide range of appetites. Many canned foods also have a high level of nutritional value. Potential disadvantages include botulism, bulkiness and longer prep time (which may require heat that is unavailable during a disaster.)
Dried Grains
Dried grains can include wheat, barley, oats, rye and maize. They are a rich source of carbohydrates, which provide energy, while also being free from saturated fat and cholesterol. In addition, dried grains retain a large quantity of their vitamins and minerals in the bran and germ, which are often lost when processed in products like bread. Dried grains are easy to store and stay good in different temperatures. Disadvantages include a longer prep time and required resources (such as water, heat or a grain mill) that may be unavailable during a disaster. For the most part, grains require a substantial amount of water to cook them.
Meals Ready To Eat (MREs)
MREs were developed and are used by the military because they provide compact storage, a fairly long shelf life, ample nutrition and fast, easy preparation. They are 100-percent contained in air-tight packages and include water for cooking them in conjunction with MRE heaters. Most MREs contain a main entree such as chicken or fish, side dish like noodles, rice or applesauce, dessert, crackers, beverage powder and condiments like salt and pepper. MREs can be ordered easily online, although they are a little more expensive than other types of survival foods. (One meal can run from $5 to $7.) They typically last no more than seven years.
Freeze-Dried Food
Many survivalists consider freeze-dried food, most commonly used by astronauts, to be the all-around best type of survival food with the fewest disadvantages. It is lightweight, easy to store in a wide range of environments and can last as long as 30 years. In addition, only a small amount of water is required in order to hydrate the food--much less than is normally needed for cooking. A wide array of meals are offered in freeze-dried packages, and once hydrated, taste very similar to the real thing. They are also a more economical choice than MREs (averaging approximately $3 per meal) and can be ordered online.
Tags: easy store, wide range, amount water, because they, Bulk Survival, Bulk Survival Foods