Tips & Tricks

Getting Started in Emergency Food Storage: How Much Should I Have?

Getting Started in Emergency Food Storage: How Much Should I Have?

By Alexander Crown

At Nutrient Survival, we exist to prepare individuals and families to be ready for any emergency with food that gives them a sound body and mind to not just survive, but thrive. A food storage system is a vital part of that preparedness. Think of it as another insurance policy; it’s there if you need it. We also know that getting started can be overwhelming, so we are going to outline a few tips to help you on the journey.

First, let’s discuss “how much.” The obvious answer is to have as much as you can, but that is just too broad and generally unhelpful information. In years past, it was suggested that three days or 72 hours of food is a good starting point, and it is however the last few years have showed us that maybe a week is a better starting goal. After all, the 2021 winter storm in Texas left some without power for over two weeks and in 2019, some parts in California were without power for over a month due to wildfires and strong winds. Both areas had supply chain issues with stores having empty shelves. These are just a few recent examples of events that can disrupt access to food. Analyzing these types of events in your area can also help you determine how much food to have on hand.

Let’s outline caloric needs. Calories are the fuel your body needs to operate, and that fuel comes from the food you consume. Caloric needs are not a blanket number for everyone, since everybody is different and calorie needs are based on age, sex, body type, and a host of other factors. According to this Harvard Health Study, you can multiply your body weight by 15 and get a rough number of calories per a day you need to maintain that weight. However, seeing as how 70% of Americans are overweight or even obese, this may not be the best method for calculating how much food you need in your daily life, let alone a survival situation. Nonetheless, we still need something to help us in future planning. For easy math, we are going to use 1,400 calories per day per a person. Quick math tells us that a week supply is 9,800 calories and a 30-day supply of food, is 42,000 calories. Again, this is an approximation but makes a good starting point for those looking for a number goal to stock up.

Armed with this information we can dive further into the matter and look at macronutrients, a recurring theme for us. Just shoving calories down your gullet may keep your belly full, but it won’t keep your brain, muscles, and bones healthy. Malnutrition can set in and have dire consequences. Having a well-rounded food storage is the best way to fight malnutrition and keep you and your family healthy. Our freeze-dried meals and snacks are packed with vitamins, nutrients, and omegas, all of which help keep you in your prime.

Here is an example of a day consuming Nutrient Survival courses:

  • Breakfast consists of a serving of the Homestyle Scramble, Hearty Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal, and a glass of the Creamy Chocolate shake and you have 720 calories, 48 grams of protein, 75 grams of carbohydrates, and 25 grams of fats, as well as nearing your daily needs for almost all vitamins and minerals.
  • Lunch portion could be a serving of Southwest Medley and a Chocolate Crunch Bar. This gives your 540 calories, 25 grams of protein, 79 grams of carbohydrates, and 14 grams of fats. This meal, coupled with breakfast will hit your daily vitamin and mineral needs.
  • Dinner would be made up of two servings of Hearty Lasagna, washed down with Liquid Nutrient. This yields 535 calories, 22 grams of protein, 72 grams of carbohydrates, and 18 grams of fat.

With those numbers you will be eating healthier during the apocalypse than you are on a normal day! In fact Nutrient Survival is Special Ops grade nutrition, designed to exceed the nutritional requirements of the US military (by 2.5 times), but intended for people like us. This example, that can be filled with our new Action Packs, #10 Cans, or On-The-Go single pouches, makes it easy to stock your pantry, cabin, or go bag for when disaster strikes. Why not test this theory for yourself with the 5- Day Reboot kit?

Even if you had to supplement these meals with plain white rice for example, you could easily hit your daily caloric intake while maintaining a healthy level of nutrition through delicious meals. Our menu is always growing and offering you a variety of flavors and textures, as well as sweet and savory options. Knowing this, you need to look no further than Nutrient Survival to Feed Your Freedom!

 

Alexander Crown is a former U.S. Army Paratrooper who spent time in a scout/sniper platoon in OIF. Alexander spends his time exploring Idaho, hunting, fishing, and camping. He’s a lifelong practitioner of preparedness, emphasizing self-reliance and organic gardening.