What happens when disaster strikes? Hopefully, you’ll have a plan, whether securing your home and waiting for the emergency to be over or an exit strategy. In either of these situations, there’s one thing you’ll undoubtedly need: food. The human body requires food to function; you won’t be able to survive for too long without it. The problem is that you likely won’t be able to cook like you usually would – especially if you have lost power. So, to help you prepare, here are some of the quickest and easiest meals to keep your energy levels up in crises. Having a freezer or kit with just some of these meals will help you immensely.
Pasties
Pasties are a food that goes back a long way through history, with the Cornish pasty notably being a staple for miners thanks to the fact it’s easy to eat and calorie-dense. Pasties can often be frozen, and once defrosted, create a fast meal that will fuel your energy. When you don’t have the time for cooking equipment, it’s a great meal to have. Of course, it’s best to have pasties prepared in advance – you won’t be working with dough making a pasty from scratch during a crisis.
Ready-bought Rations
If you’re serious about being prepared for emergencies, it’s best to invest in ready-made rations. You can buy these fit-for-purpose. A good rations kit will include meals that are high in calories and don’t take up too much room, so you have plenty of fuel to last you days and days. The more rations you have in stock, the more prepared you are, and you won’t have to worry about cooking. Don’t worry – these days, many ration kits are very tasty, so you don’t have to worry about eating the same stale food over and over again.
Cereal and Long-Life Milk
Cereal with milk makes a tasty and easy meal that will also provide lots of fuel. The cereal lasts a very long time, so you won’t have to worry about mould growth. Then, you have long-life milk, which is specifically pasteurised , so that it won’t go off even when stored in a cupboard, so even if your fridge no longer works, you’ll still have access to this calcium-rich drink.
Canned Foods
Canned foods are vacuum-sealed, which means they last for many years before opening them, making them a staple for meals when you’re out of power. There are many different meals you can get inside of cans, from tinned fish to tinned Bolognese. It’s a good idea to have tins with some vegetables in, as these will give you the nutrients you need to stay fit and healthy.
Granola Bars
Granola bars might not seem like an entire meal, but they are excellent for emergencies. They are compact, calorie-dense, and last a long while, making them handy whether on the road or at home. A box of granola bars can help keep you fuelled for quite a while, plus many of them are tasty. You’ll likely want other types of foods alongside them (like the ones listed above), but they are worth the investment.