Ardent preppers know that food storage plan is vital for preparedness. Some fail to have such a plan fearing that it cost them a lot of money – a commodity that is ever so scarce. There is no need to worry because you can still find affordable, good quality food that will not only provide the caloric needs of your body but also last long before going bad (if kept in the right conditions).
But prepping on a budget food storage plane is not an easy undertaking. You also need to know it is continuous procedure because you cannot be sure when a disaster that will cut of off food supply will strike. A smart approach would be to store a few dollars worth of food each week. It is better than nothing. With time, your efforts will pay off, and you will be well set for an emergency scenario.
Back to our topic, what are the affordable items you can include for a budget storage plan? We have put together a descriptive list of 7 budget foods to store that have long shelf-lives and will cushion you from the caloric deficiency in an emergency.
7 Budget Foods to Store That Last
1. Rice
There is a lot of controversy on whether it is healthy to eat rice or not. However, that’s not our concern here. What is clear is that rice is rich in carbohydrates; a fact that makes it a perfect food choice for survival situations. It will provide you with lots of energy in short bursts. This is great for the split-second decision that you will need to make if you must survive the emergency.
Other benefits of rice run the gamut. It is nutritionally rich, prevents constipation, regulates blood sugar levels, gluten-free (good news to preppers who are gluten-sensitive) and controls blood pressure.
Even more amazing is the price of rice – it is one of the cheapest grains. Keep in mind that the high oil content of brown rice gives it shorter shelf-life than white rice.
2. Pasta
Pasta is another great choice of affordable food for budget storage plan. Pasta is rich in carbohydrates that are essential fuels for your muscles and brain. Unlike rice, pasta has complex carbohydrates that provide slow energy release.
This sustained energy will help you perform your survival activities and make rational decisions that will maximize your chances of survival. The beauty with pasta is that you can prepare it very quickly by immersing it in boiling water. As long as it is dried out, it can last for 2 years or even more.
3. Wheat flour
Wheat flour is another excellent choice of food for storage. It is highly affordable. You can use it to make a variety of recipes depending on your culinary skills. For instance, you can use it as a base for preparing bread and pasta.
The flour in itself may not last long if improperly stored. So be sure to keep it sealed in airtight containers and stored in a cool, dry place. If you do this, the flour may last for up to a year and still taste and smell fresh.
4. Beans and Peas
Contrary to what many people think, beans and peas have almost identical nutritional properties. That’s why we consider them together. They are mature forms of legumes that are excellent sources of plant protein. They are also rich sources of other nutrients such as zinc and iron.
They are good choices if you are allergic to meat or you are a strict vegetarian prepper. Dried out, beans and peas have a 2-year pantry life. However, they may not be as easy to prepare as rice and pasta.
5. Oats
Oats are wonderful additions to this list because of their affordability, nutrient richness and incredibly long shelf-life. Being gluten-free makes them ideal choices for preppers who are gluten-sensitive. Oats are incredibly nutritious. This is the reason why many people consider it super-food.
This affordable food can regulate blood sugar and offer you sustained energy that will boost your physical and mental performance. Oats have excellent shelf-life if properly dried and stored. On average, dried oats can last for 2-3 years.
6. Powdered milk
Milk has long been known to be one of the most nutritionally-laden foods known. No wonder it is what children survive on soon after they are born. It is a rich source of calcium, protein, potassium, phosphorous, and vitamin K2 and vitamin D2. You need all these nutrients in a survival situation.
Fresh milk can only last so long. However, the same can last for up to10 years after its best before date if processed into milk powder and stored in perfect conditions. Powdered milk is also very affordable.
7. Canned fruit
With a wise choice, canned fruits can be the ideal choice when it comes to a budget food storage plan. According to the USDA, adults should eat at least 2 servings of fruits per day. This may not be realistic in a survival situation. But canned fruit can be as healthy (if not more) that the fresh from their garden counterparts.
So, it would be a good idea to find some healthy canned fruits to add to your storage plan for preparedness. They can be cheap but extremely nutritious. If you make a habit of buying at least a can of food every few weeks; it will surprise you how much of canned fruit you will have when the SHTF. They can last for up to 2 years.
Conclusion
When making your preparedness plan, the source of food should be one of your primary concerns. It would be wise to store at least 3 days of high-quality, healthy and nutrient-rich foods. The more food you plan with, the better are the chances that you will have enough calories to survive the emergency.
Embrace diversity in your food storage so that you do not end up with one type of food. Your reserve should have sources that contain the necessary nutrients including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and minerals. It’s comforting to know that you can obtain these long shelf-life foods at affordable prices.
