Image courtesy of: brent.hofacker
We should never under estimate the importance of food in a zombie apocalypse. There is no doubt that we need to eat to survive.
In case we need something else that we do not have, we can even use food to barter for other goods (Nope, I am not giving away my food storage for free.)
The thing is, there is just so much food items to choose from, right? Hence it is important for you to have some criteria on what your requirements are, your taste in food, how long food can last without storage, and what truly are essential to store and stock up on.
While doing some research on essential food items that I should stock up on in my storage and carry in my BOB, I came upon an article written by EJ Owens.
Mr. Owens, proudly served our country for 14 years in the U.S. Army and Army National Guard so he should know something about survival food.
In his article, Mr. Owens shared this very useful list of food items that we normally would not think of. Below are five surprising items on his list:
- Tart Cherries. Tart cherries contain potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatories shown in several studies to reduce muscle soreness in bodybuilders and athletes. It improves muscle recovery time, which aids in the development of increased muscle mass and strength. Tart cherries are simply dried cherries that have had their pits removed. In an airtight container kept at room temperature, dried cherries will store for up to 12 months.
- Organic Coconut Cream. Organic coconut cream has good, healthy fats and also lots of fiber, protein and minerals. Much of the time you’ll have to warm up coconut cream packaging in hot water, as it can form solid blocks during storage. Once warmed, this “concentrated” coconut cream can be mixed with water to produce “coconut water”. Just one package could produce a drink packed with vitamins and minerals (including electrolytes) for several people.
- Coconut Flour. Coconut flour – as a light, concentrated food for your bug out bag (such as an evacuation of a major city where the only food you have is what you can carry), consider organic coconut flour. Light in weight, a 30-serving bag of coconut flour weighs only 16 ounces. Mix two tablespoons with water and you have instant “coconut water”, an energy drink for the road, supplying fiber, vitamins and minerals (including electrolytes).
- Dark Chocolate. Though not as sweet as a brand name chocolate candy bar, dark chocolate can still be a moral booster, and at the same time is also high in calories, with 661 calories in a grated cup, or 145 calories in a 29 gram square. When a dark chocolate product contains 70% or more cacao, it has heart-healthy properties, and a lot less sugars; it is a healthier choice.
- Protein Powder. Protein powder is an easy and convenient source for high quality protein. With a large supply of protein powder on hand, you’ll have something to supplement your daily diet when you start eating a lot less protein-containing foods like beef, chicken, pork, and dairy than what you may be accustomed to today. It’s also one more item to add to your list of survival items to barter with.
Go ahead and start stocking up on these nutritious and energy-packed food items.
You can check out Mr. Owens’s full list of essential food items to store here.
Hats off to EJ Owens for sharing this great list of additional food items to keep in my home and my BOB.
