When there is an emergency, the shelf-life of your food is important because you may not be able to buy or procure fresh food. Read on to learn four long-lasting foods to stockpile for emergencies.
Rice
On top of being a well-loved and delicious carb source, a pound of rice will keep you fed for days, since it expands when boiled in hot water. It will fill you up and give you plenty of sustenance.
Plus, rice can last up to 30 years before beginning to lose its nutrition. This is thanks to its low moisture content, which keeps the rice dry and well-preserved. To make sure your rice lasts for a while, you will just need to keep the rice dry in a sealed container or bag.
Honey
Honey is one of the best long-lasting foods for emergencies, since it is a great food for carbs and calories, and it helps heal inflammation and wounds.
Honey doesn't spoil or decay unless combined with spoiled ingredients, but you must store it correctly to keep it fresh. However, if you store it in a sealed container, raw honey's proteins and sugars keep it tasting well and allow it to maintain its consistency for decades. Additionally, honey is acidic, which gives it the antibacterial properties it's known for, making it an inhospitable environment for bacteria and mold.
Jerky
Many people who live on the road or hunt for days at a time will agree that jerky is a great survival food. Jerky comes in numerous flavors and preserves excellently, thanks to being dried and salted.
There are also ways to extend the shelf life of jerky so that it will last years. Freezing is one of the most common ways, but many people will seal it in an airtight container or can it in water.
Powdered Milk
Milk from a carton or jug will spoil within a few weeks, but powdered milk is a unique form that will last for many years. In fact, when stored properly and kept away from moisture, powdered milk can last up to 25 years. Keep a few powdered milk containers with you during emergencies to supply yourself with protein when food becomes scarce.
It's important to stockpile foods with a long shelf life, since you never know when the next emergency may occur and you cannot acquire food. Keeping these items in your pantry will ensure you have some food to help you survive until the emergency passes, however long that may be.
