To quote Ahmed Mostafa (with a slight modification): “It’s not the stuff we face that defines us, it’s how we deal with it.”
And with that in mind, how well prepared are you if some disaster were to strike in your neck of the woods?
If you’re at home or in your bug out shelter, you should ideally have food stored ahead.
Yet, what if you found yourself on the run trying to reach your bug out location? What would you eat while traveling?
I’m going to give you a few ideas of food items you should keep on hand and ready to go in your bug out bag.
If you aren’t sure what you should be storing at your bug out shelter, I’ll give you a few general ideas for those food items as well. Here’s what survival foods you should have on hand:
1. Jerky
Protein is of great importance when trying to reach a safe location. A great source of protein is meat, but it’s difficult to carry meat with you without refrigeration.
Instead, dehydrate the meat and make delicious jerky. You can make beef jerky, venison jerky, turkey jerky, and a variety of other jerky recipes depending upon the types of meat you enjoy.
2. Dried Fruit
When you’re on the move, you need food high in nutrients, but the foods must be low maintenance. Dried fruit fits the bill.
Take any citrus, berries, or bananas and place them in a dehydrator. Once all the moisture has been removed, store them in an air-tight container until you’re ready to consume them.
3. Cookie Mix
Who says you can’t have a sweet tooth while in survival mode? If you’d like to have cookies ready to bake even in a survival situation, create your own cookies in a jar.
Since the ingredients are premeasured, add the necessary liquid, and they can be baked over a fire. It could help raise your spirits in a disastrous situation.
4. Pickled Eggs
This food is a regular hot topic amongst those who preserve their own food. Some say pickled eggs must be refrigerated to remain safe for consumption.
However, other people aren’t as convinced because you see pickled eggs sitting out on gas station counters regularly. What’s the difference when you make them yourself? If you’re a rebel when it comes to pickled eggs, add them to your list of survival foods.
5. Survival Bread
Do you love your bread? Does the thought of having to do without it make you queasy?
Be of good cheer! Other bread lovers have discovered an easy recipe for what’s known as survival bread. It can be baked over an open fire and be ready for consumption in no time flat.
6. Survival Bars
Whether you’re hiking for fun or hiking to survive, you know the importance of giving your body the food it needs to keep it functioning as it should.
This is where survival bars come into play. They’re tasty little bars with a variety of nutritious foods which have been dried and baked into edible bars. You can get a variety of nutrients and a vast amount of calories from each bite.
7. Hard Tack
Did you assume hard tack went out with the pilgrims? You assumed wrong. It’s actually a favorite for survival food.
Hardtack is a hard bread which doesn’t go bad for approximately 50 years! It’s food our ancestors used to survive long overseas trips, and it can help us be sustained in a survival situation.
8. Dried Veggies
As much as we all love fruit, we don’t usually share the same affection for veggies. However, they’re vital to our survival.
To make sure you get the nutrition you need while trying to survive, dry some of your favorite veggies in a dehydrator. Store them in an air-tight container and consume them along the way to your bug out shelter.
9. Cheese
Cheese made the list because it’s a valuable food when people are beginning to realize their grocery store is no longer operational.
Though this food may not be recommended for shoving in a bug out bag, it’s vital to know how to make cheese and store it for when you reach your safe location. It will not only sustain you, but it can be used for bartering.
10. Wine
Wine is another item you should keep on hand in a survival situation. I’m not encouraging you to get drunk and forget about your problems (though this may sound appealing.)
It’s a handy drink which can be easily made when you reach your bug out shelter. Plus, it’s another item you could use for bartering.
11. Ramen Noodles
Ramen noodles are not only the survival food of those shopping with meager grocery budgets or poor college students.
They could be of use to you in your bug out bag. They’re prepackaged, lightweight, and can be easily made by adding boiling water. It’s simple and a great source of carbohydrates when you’re running low on energy.
12. DIY MRE
MRE stands for meals ready to eat. Our troops eat them frequently when they’re in combat and need a meal in a hurry. Plus, they’re easy to carry and consume because they only require hot water and no refrigeration.
However, if you try to purchase MRE’s they’re expensive. Instead, make your own by dehydrating any variety of food you desire and sealing them in air-tight packaging.
13. Food for Your Bug Out Shelter
I’ve covered a variety of survival foods which are great for being packed in a bug out bag, and I mentioned a few which could be useful at your bug out shelter.
However, if you’re looking for a list of survival foods you should stockpile ahead of time for your pantry at home or for a bug out shelter, consider the following items:
- Canned goods
- Rice
- Pasta
- Peanut butter
- Cereal
- Dried beans
- Spaghetti sauce
- Shelf-stable milk
- Any other food which is shelf-stable
Don’t forget to store water as well, both to cook with and for consumption.
By knowing which survival foods will last the longest and provide the most nutrition if you find yourself in a survival situation, you can properly prepare.
These survival foods could be the difference between you barely surviving and thriving. Consider what you’ll need in advance and pack carefully. Your life depends upon it.
