Why do you need ‘Ready-to-Eat’ Food?

Ready-to-eat food doubles as food you can take with you (in a bug out situation) as well as food you can eat in your home (without having access to cooking appliances or methods).
The proper selection of ready-to-eat food is required to prevent protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and micronutrient malnutrition, both of which can lead to health problems. Adults need 40-50 grams of protein per day and roughly 30 essential micronutrients in your food.
To be sure you are getting the proper nutrition each day during a crisis, we recommend packing and taking a multivitamin every day, just in case your food supply does not supply you with the minimum amount of nutrition. Be sure the multivitamin contains a minimum of iron, Vitamins A and D, Iodine, Folic Acid and Zinc.
Cooking may not be an option during a power outage, a hurricane, after a tornado, during a snowstorm and many other disaster types. This emphasizes the need for ‘ready-to-eat’ food. And do not think relying on the food in your refrigerator is going to be an option. Any time you open that refrigerator door, you are shortening the life-expectancy of the food inside the refrigerator. Once the internal refrigerator exceeds 45 degrees Fahrenheit, your food is at risk of spoiling and making you sick. Same thing with freezer food (although that food may last longer than the food inside the refrigerator).

What ‘Ready-to-Eat’ Food is recommended?

Here are some suggestions of high protein, ready to eat food that is both portable and easy to use:

Canned fish – sardines, tuna, kipper snacks, salmon, and mackerel
High protein drinks – PediaSure, Huel, BodyArmor Lyte Sports Drink and Core Power Drinks all make ready to drink products that do not need refrigeration. Also consider Protein powders that do not need refrigeration such as Gainful, Optimum Nutrition and REPP Sports. If you are quick to act and have a refrigerator full of refrigerated protein drinks such as Ensure, Atkins and Premier Protein, you can use these good tasting products by removing them from your refrigerator immediately after the power goes out and putting them in a cooler full of ice.
Peanut butter (on celery sticks)
Beef sticks
Fruit and nut bars
Nuts, seeds, almonds, and pistachios.
Jerky
Trail mix (dried fruit and nuts)
Prunes
Unsweetened coconut milk
NOTE: BE SURE TO HAVE A MANUAL CAN OPENER AVAILABLE IN CASE THE POWER GOES OUT!

The following items may require refrigeration and depending upon your ability to remove them from the refrigerator immediately after the power goes out (if that is the case) you should be able to use these foods if they are and placed in a cooler with ice. Consider having these options in your food stockpile:

Canned spinach
Refried black beans and/or pinto beans
Garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
Canned pumpkin pie filling with cinnamon and honey; add Greek Yogurt if available)
Cottage cheese
Hard boiled eggs
Turkey meat, turkey rollups (with cheese and veggies inside)
Cheese slices
Hummus (and vegies)

Your Second Most Important Preparation Item is Ready-to-Eat Food!

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