Best Survival Foods With A Long Shelf Life To Start Storing Today
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The ability to last for years is the most crucial aspect of survival food. After all, disasters strike when you least expect it. An emergency could occur the next day, the next year, or the next decade. Of course, being well-prepared is preferable. Having enough food to last you for the duration of any situation is a key component of this.
However, if an emergency does not occur for years, most conventional meals will have expired by then. As a result, you’ll need to stock up on long-lasting survival meals. There are plenty of excellent options to consider, so let’s get started.
See also: Top 20 Barter Items to Stockpile
Best Survival Foods with Long Shelf Lives
Wise Company Emergency Food Supply, Entree Variety
To begin, this is a big emergency food supply that includes a range of delectable dinners and is packaged in a high-quality bucket for long-term storage.
It’s worth mentioning that the Wise Company Emergency Food Supply bucket has a 25-year shelf life, which is far longer than most other survival supplies. It comes in a bucket that keeps light out, is durable enough to keep rodents and other critters out, and each quantity of food is individually sealed in airtight bags to keep oxygen out of the food.
There are 13 distinct entrees in the Wise Company Emergency Food Supply. Meals like delicious lasagna, creamy spaghetti, pasta alfredo, chili mac, chicken noodle soup, savory stroganoff, hearty tortilla soup, potato pot pie, teriyaki and rice, baked potato casserole, cheesy macaroni, tomato basil soup, and southwest beans with rice are among the recipes included. There is plenty of variety to keep you from getting bored, and there are 60 servings.
The Wise Company Emergency Food Supply is convenient because all of the items are ready to eat and do not require cooking. All you have to do now is add water and they’ll be ready to eat (it’s better if you use hot water, but cold water will suffice).
The Wise Company Emergency Food Supply is billed as a 30-day supply for a single adult, which is something we should mention. It has a total of little over 13,000 calories in it, including all of the items. When it comes to a male’s recommended calorie intake, based on the average, this bucket would last a week rather than a month, at least if this is all you have to eat.
Pros
- Lots of variety
- Super long shelf life
- Very easy to prepare
- Easy to store
- Decent amount of nutrition
Cons
- Not actually a full month’s supply
Millennium Assorted Energy Bars
These Millennium Assorted Energy Bars are an excellent alternative to consider if you’re searching for some good emergency survival snacks, not whole meals, but simply something to keep you going when you have nothing else, or maybe for hiking and camping.
The shelf life of these Millennium Assorted Energy Bars isn’t bad. These bars can last up to 5 years if maintained properly, which means away from moisture and light, and in a tight container to keep critters out. To ensure the longest possible shelf life, each bar is individually wrapped and vacuum-sealed. Because the box is composed of solid plastic, it should at the very least keep insects out.
The majority of consumers believe that these energy bars taste great, and they should keep their flavor and integrity for the entire shelf life. Lemon, raspberry, cherry, tropical fruit, orange, blueberry, apple, coconut, and other flavors are among the options. Keep in mind that each purchase includes a total of 6 different flavors of random bars.
Of course, these Millennium Assorted Energy Bars aren’t whole meals, but each bar contains 400 calories, so you could theoretically live on three of them every day. Although these bars are lacking in vitamins, they do include a significant amount of sugar and other carbs, so they should supply you with enough energy to keep you going for a few hours. They’re high-calorie bars made to keep your body going.
Pros
- Vacuum sealed – decent shelf life
- Various tasty flavors
- Retain their flavor and integrity for years
- Great snack
- High in calories, sugars, and carbs
Cons
- Packaging is not critter proof
- Not many vitamins
Wise Foods Gluten Free Protein Bucket
If you’re looking for a good-tasting gluten-free survival food that you can consume as a snack or a full meal, has a long shelf life, and can supply you with lots of protein and energy, then this Wise food Gluten Free Protein Bucket is a good choice.
Let’s start with this because we’re talking about foods with the longest shelf lives. Each of the foods in the kit is packaged in an airtight mylar bag. Insect-proof, UV-resistant, and moisture-resistant, mylar bags are ideal.
Each of the foods is separately wrapped so you don’t have to open more packets than you need at any given time, and the mylar bags may be resealed for even longer storage if a single box includes more than you can consume at once.
All of the mylar pouches are kept in an airtight, waterproof, lightproof, and pest-proof solid plastic bucket. The Wise Foods Gluten Free Protein Bucket has a total shelf life of 15 years.
There are three types of food to choose from when it comes to the food served here. To begin, you’ll receive 12 servings of diced chicken and 12 servings of ground beef. There are also 80 servings of white rice included.
Of course, meat is high in protein, lipids, calories, and other nutrients that give you energy, and the rice, at the very least, will keep your stomach full. It won’t give you a lot of vitamins, but it will give you enough calories and protein to get you through the day.
There are a total of 104 servings, and everything is gluten-free, which you might appreciate if you can’t consume gluten. If worst comes to worst, and you have nothing else to eat, the Wise Foods Gluten Free Protein Bucket might last you up to two weeks based on the overall caloric intake of everything in it.
It’s worth mentioning that all of the meals in the Wise Foods Gluten Free Protein Bucket have been freeze dried, which not only kills parasites and bacteria but also significantly extends the shelf life of the food, but it doesn’t improve the flavour.
Another advantage of freeze drying is that it allows the food to preserve its nutritional value. People agree that the food in this bucket tastes great, despite the fact that it isn’t gourmet quality. To eat it, simply add the needed amount of water, preferably hot water, mix it well, and set it alone for a few minutes.
Pros
- Well-sealed
- Very long shelf life
- Individually sealed – resealable bags
- Easy to stack bucket
- High in calories and protein
- Can last for up to 2 weeks
- Easy to prepare
Cons
- Not a huge amount of flavor
- Not much variety
Franklin’s Finest Survival Coffee
It’s up to you whether you consider coffee to be true survival food, and how committed you are to getting that morning cup of Joe in. A little caffeine in the morning, despite its lack of nutritional value, may be precisely what you need for a long day or survival. This Franklin’s Finest Survival Coffee might possibly be one of your greatest selections if you’re seeking for a long-lasting cup of coffee.
The Franklin’s Finest Survival Coffee bucket comes with a total of 720 serves of coffee. In reality, this should sustain a single person for well over a year, even if they drink up to two cups per day. If you only drink one cup of coffee every day, it will last you two years.
Furthermore, the coffee is separated into bags that are airtight, watertight, and resealable, as well as pest-proof. Each pouch has 60 servings in total. You can either take the pouches out and carry them with you or store them in the bucket provided.
When it comes to the bucket, it’s composed of strong plastic, so it should keep most pests and rodents out, and it’s also airtight and watertight when properly sealed.
In total, the Franklin’s Finest Survival Coffee has a 15-year shelf life. The fact that this coffee has been freeze dried contributes to its lengthy shelf life. The flavour is also preserved by the freeze drying method, and most people think that this coffee is exceptionally tasty. Colombian coffee, to be precise.
It’s also worth highlighting that it’s completely natural and contains no GMOs. Franklin’s Finest Survival Coffee is also quite easy to prepare, which you could like.
This is instant coffee, so all you have to do is mix it with hot water, stir it, and drink it. It does not necessitate the use of a coffee making appliance.
Pros
- Non-GMO
- Lasts for 15 years
- Sealed in bags, and then in bucket
- Resealable bags
- Keeps out light, moisture, and pests
- Actually quite tasty
- Easy to prepare
Cons
Absolutely no nutritional value
Augason Farms 5-20091 Deluxe Emergency 30-Day Food Supply
Returning to full and long-term food supplies to keep you going for weeks, here’s a large bucket of emergency foods with plenty of variety and foods for all times of the day. There are a lot of calories in it, as well as a lot of nutrients.
To begin, the shelf life of the Augason Farms 5-20091 Deluxe Emergency 30-Day Food Supply is simply incredible. All foods are packed in vacuum-sealed pouches that are individually sealed. This implies they can’t be exposed to air, are watertight, and can’t be accessed by insects.
Everything is stored in a heavy-duty plastic bucket to transport it home, providing an additional layer of protection against air, light, and pests. The bucket can be readily kept in a compact place and is stackable due to its shape.
Overall, the Augason Farms 5-20091 Deluxe Emergency 30-Day Food Supply has a 25 to 30-year shelf life, making it one of the longest-lasting emergency food options on our list. It’s one of the most effective strategies for long-term planning.
Keep in mind that you will receive a total of 24 food pouches. Each pouch has a calorie count of just over 1,200 calories. Remember that an adult male requires between 2,000 and 2,500 calories per day in order to function properly, but can survive on as low as 1,200 calories. So, while this bucket may not have enough food to keep you alive for 30 days, it will keep you alive for 30 days.
If you stick to a 2,000-calorie-per-day diet, this bucket will last you little over two weeks, however it will last you even longer if you carefully store it. The Augason Farms 5-20091 Deluxe Emergency 30-Day Food Supply comprises 200 servings and has a calorie count of little over 37,000.
The Augason Farms 5-20091 Deluxe Emergency 30-Day Meal Supply includes 11 different foods, ensuring that you will not become bored or sick of any one food item, as well as breakfast, lunch, and supper foods, as well as some snacks.
Banana chips, a low-fat milk alternative, buttermilk pancake mix, maple brown sugar oatmeal, strawberry creamy wheat, fettuccine alfredo, creamy potato soup, hearty vegetable chicken soup, cheesy broccoli rice, creamy chicken rice, and Spanish rice are among the tasty items included. You also get a handy 30-day meal planner to ensure that it lasts as long as you need it to.
What needs to be addressed is that, as you can see, there isn’t much meat in this dish. Although this cuisine is high in carbohydrates and calories, it is low in protein and vitamins.
So, while the Augason Farms 5-20091 Deluxe Emergency 30-Day Food Supply will give you energy and keep you going in an emergency, it doesn’t quite qualify as a nutritionally complete food supply. Most, if not all, of these foods may be made simply by mixing them with hot water or heating them in a skillet, though some of them are also great cold.
Pros
- Should last a single person for 2 to 4 weeks
- Great packaging for long term storage
- 25 to 30 year shelf life
- Good amount of variety
- Lots of calories
- Easy to store
- Easy to prepare – for the most part
Cons
- No meat and not much protein
- Taste could be better
4Patriots 72 Hour Emergency Food Supply Kit
This 4Patriots 72 Hour Emergency Food Supply Kit is a terrific option to keep in mind if you’re searching for survival food that has a long shelf life, tastes good, and comes with enough food to last three days.
The 4Patriots 72 Hour Emergency Food Supply Kit comes in a triple layer of mylar bags when it comes to packaging. Each part is packaged in a mylar bag, which is then sealed with two more mylar bags for added protection.
While these mylar bags aren’t pest-proof (in the sense that rodents can nibble through them), they are airtight, waterproof, and light-proof. If you store this 4Patriots 72 Hour Emergency Food Supply Kit properly, it can survive up to 25 years. Keep in mind that the packaging can be resealed if you don’t finish the entire serving.
What’s noteworthy about this food supply kit is that it’s made and packaged in the United States, so it’s of decent quality. It also doesn’t contain MSG, so it’ll keep for a long time, but it’s free of unhealthy additives and preservatives.
For three days, you’ll get a total of 15 servings. A couple plates of “America’s Finest Mac & Cheese,” creamy rice and veggie supper, and Granny’s sweet oatmeal are among the dishes included. We enjoy it because, while the variety is limited, the foods are organised by timing, so you don’t have to eat supper food for all three meals. Everything in the 4Patriots 72 Hour Emergency Food Supply Kit tastes pretty well, according to the great majority of individuals.
There are around 3,700 calories in each of the five meals over the course of three days. As you can see, this caloric content is significantly below the daily caloric consumption recommendations for both men and women.
You get little over 1,200 calories every day, which is sufficient for survival, though you may feel hungry at the end of the day.
One of the few drawbacks is that these foods require a lot of water to cook, and they must be simmered in boiling water throughout preparation. It’s not a deal breaker, but it could be made a lot easier.
Pros
- Very long shelf life
- Good packaging
- Tastes pretty nice
- Can last a single person 2 to 3 days
- Decent ingredients
cons
- Preparation is not the easiest
- Rodents may be able to get through the packaging
Buyer’s Guide to Survival Food
There are a few purchase factors to bear in mind before you go out and buy the first survival food kit you can get your hands on, so let’s have a look at the most significant ones.
Amount of Servings
One of the most important considerations is the number of servings included in the meal supply kit. How long do you think the food will last? Some are designed to last a few days, some for a few weeks, and yet others for a month or even longer. Naturally, the longer you plan to stay, the more meals you will require.
Preparation
Another consideration is the manner in which the items must be prepared. Remember that you might not have access to things like pots and pans, burners or flames, or even a lot of water in a survival situation. Food that can be eaten cold, right out of the package, is the finest survival food. Food that can be blended with either hot or cold water, but only in tiny amounts, is the second best option. Cooked food will almost certainly taste the nicest, but it will also demand the greatest resources to prepare.
Calories
It’s also crucial to keep track of the number of calories in the food. The average woman requires 1,500 to 2,000 calories per day, while men require up to 2,000 calories per day. Women, on the other hand, may live on as few as 900 to 1,000 calories per day, while men require around 1,200 calories per day. As a result, constantly verify the caloric content of the food to ensure that it matches the bare minimum of survival requirements.
Nutrition
Aside from calories, fat, and sweets, most survival food is devoid of nutrition. Just keep in mind that you’ll need a proper balance of vitamins, minerals, proteins, sugars, fats, and carbohydrates for long-term life. As a result, the higher the nutritional value of the items, the better off you will be, especially in long-term survival scenarios.
Ingredients
Always pay close attention to the food’s exact ingredients. In reality, unless you have severe food allergies, your dietary preferences may have to be put on hold if you are in a survival scenario. If you must adhere to a particular diet, such as vegan or vegetarian, gluten-free, kosher, or something else, then you must do so.
Taste
Of course, it’s always a plus if your survival food is delicious. Although, as with nutritional preferences, your primary goal is to survive, so flavour isn’t the most important factor to consider.
Shelf Life and Packaging
Finally, the packaging of the food is a crucial factor to consider. Survival food should ideally be packaged in airtight, waterproof, and lightproof mylar bags, which should then be placed into a solid plastic bucket, which will essentially double the protection and keep pests at bay. Moisture, light, air, and, of course, pests should all be avoided when preparing survival food.
Best Survival Foods with Long Shelf Lives Bottom Line
The final truth is that there are a plethora of excellent long-term survival meals accessible. All you have to do now is find the proper ones. Remember to keep an eye on the most crucial characteristics, such as shelf life, packaging, taste, caloric content, and all of the other factors we just covered. You should have no trouble choosing the best survival foods for your needs if you follow our advice.