Stocking Your Pantry Food Supply -

Details for Stocking Your Pantry Food Supply

ID:	10725
Author:	jackrlandry
Title:	Stocking Your Pantry Food Supply
Article:	Though most of the food you eat probably comes from the refrigerator or freezer, the pantry is a useful storage place as well. It is here that you can store dry food that can last both for long periods of time and for immediate use. Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, major earthquakes, and extreme blizzards could leave you trapped without electricity for an extended period of time. If the area in which you live is prone to any of these types of devastation, you should keep an emergency supply pantry stocked with things to eat to keep you healthy until the disaster has passed. Even if your area is not prone to such disasters, you should still be prepared and have a good supply just in case something happens. You can never be too prepared, and having a good supply will give you piece of mind. We all need protein, carbohydrates, and fats to keep up our energy. This means you need to be sure that you have in your house enough nonperishable foods that help you meet health requirements. One good supplier of protein, carbohydrates, and fats is dried meats. Beef jerky or beef sticks are good for long term storage and they are usually housed in airtight packaging. Canned fish and meat is also very easy to store in your pantry, and you can use then in a variety of different dishes. Canned tuna is an excellent source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Canned ham and sandwich spreads can be eaten with crackers and bread. Beans are an excellent source of vegetarian nutrition, and can be used in all different types of meals. Canned fruits such as peaches, pears, berries, and applesauce are good sources of vitamin C and other nutrients. They are also good to eat by themselves and kids will not have any problem eating them with the syrup. Canned vegetables such as beans, peas, carrots and others are a very important part of your diet. You can also get dried fruits for your emergency supply. These may include things such as raisins, which are another way to get the nutrition of fruit in your emergency food pantry. Whole grain crackers are good things to have on hand because of how versatile they are in meal and snack planning. These are also good replacements for bread and last much longer. Nuts such as almonds, walnuts, cashews, and pecans have protein, fiber, and healthful fats. Granola bars are good for sweet snacks and a quick boost in energy for the middle of the day. Dry cereals are typically eaten with milk, but in emergency situations milk can go bad, leaving you with just the cereal. Luckily, these dry flakes are fortified with extra vitamins and minerals and can be eaten dry. Juice boxes can also be stored at room temperature in your pantry. Single serving-sized juice that does not need to be refrigerated is helpful. Make sure to choose 100 percent fruit juices that are not packed with sugar, preservatives, or other additives. Electrolyte drinks are also good to have on hand. Sport drinks are a good addition to your emergency food pantry because they do have added electrolytes. The most important thing to have in your supply is water and enough for your entire family. In case your regular tap water supply becomes contaminated, store several bottles of water in your emergency pantry. You should also have a bottle of multivitamins that can help supply any missing nutrients in your diet. Do not forget to have a can opener on hand to open all of those canned foods in your pantry. They are of no use if you cannot get what is inside of them. Keep bags, backpacks or other large containers close by. In the event you have to get out of your house in a hurry, you do not want to have to hunt for a bag to carry your food. A camping stove or small grill powered by propane may also be used in a safe area to heat foods. If you have an electrical stove and the power goes out, a propane grill will allow you to cook warm meals for yourself and your family. About the author of this article: jack r. landry is an accomplished expert in family preparedness and has been giving seminars for over 15 years. he recommends that everyone have on hand an emergency food in case of any emergency or disaster. contact info: jack r. landry jackrlandry@gmail.com http://www.foodinsurance.com
Category:	Recreation: Food-and-Drink
Date:	December 22, 2010 08:03:01 AM

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