Natural disasters and global pandemics generally come with little to no warning. So, keeping your cupboard stocked up with the right food items will help you weather through the storm with less stress. It is also especially important to eat nutritious food to maintain good health during an emergency.
Tips to not waste food
Here are a few tips you can use to reduce food waste during an emergency:
- Plan your meals
The more precise about what you are going to eat and when will mean less food goes to waste. Consume fresh foods first before canned items. Also, make sure to finish up canned and packaged food before they reach their expiration date. - Store your food well
Follow the instructions on your packaging and store your food correctly to prevent early spoilage. You can even add “Eat Me First” signs on your food that is close to its expiration date. - Store cooked food
If you’re prepared too much food at home, you can store leftovers in containers and keep them refrigerated for your next meal.
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Below is a list of non-perishables that you should stockpile to get you and your family through a crisis.
Rice and pasta/noodles
Rice and noodles are the staple food for most Singaporeans. They contain little to no fat or moisture content, which makes them resistant to spoilage. Rich in nutrients and vitamins, they also contain high amounts of carbohydrates and are among the most filling and inexpensive foods you can find on the market to last you a very long time.
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Frozen foods
Frozen fruits and vegetables are usually picked at peak ripeness and quickly frozen to lock in nutrients and flavour. They generally retain their vitamins and minerals with little changes to their carbohydrate, protein and fat content.
Therefore, expect the same benefits from frozen foods as you would from fresh produce which is what makes them a convenient and affordable way to incorporate healthy food into your diet.
Canned vegetables & fruits
Canned veggies and fruits are packed with essential vitamins and nutrients that offer plenty of health benefits. You can fix yourself a hearty stew with canned carrots, peas and potatoes. Then after that, end your meal with a wonderful fruit cocktail for dessert.
As a bonus, you can even use the packing water to make yourself a healthy soup stock for future meals.
Canned tuna & luncheon meat
Canned tuna and meat are the #1 food to hoard as they provide humans with approximately 90% sustenance needed for us to survive during an emergency. Canned meats stay fresher for considerably longer than regular meat. Moreover, they act as a good source of essential nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, proteins and Vitamin D to keep us chugging along.
Canned soup
Canned soup is a quick and convenient meal choice for emergency situation as you can easily whip them up in under minutes. They usually provide plenty of nutrients like protein and fibre that work to fill you up and keep your hunger cravings well under control.
For a healthier choice, go for soups that contains beans, lentils, and vegetables in low-sodium broth.
Crackers & biscuits
Packaged whole-grained crackers last longer than bread, making them a good choice as an emergency food stash. Other than providing surprising nutritive benefits such as niacin and iron, crackers and biscuits do help to provide us with a sense of normalcy. During an emergency situation, they act as a worthy satisfying accompaniment to soups and tuna.
As long as the packaging stays intact, your crackers and biscuits should be able to last for at least six months.
Powdered milk
Milk is a versatile food well worth stockpiling especially for urbanites that do not have daily access to freshly squeezed cow or goat’s milk. Whole Milk Powder are an excellent natural creamer for your daily coffee needs and the best part is that it can last up to two years of storage! So, skip your non-dairy creamers and opt for powdered milk instead.
Seasonings
While seasonings and spices are not critical, they do bring foods to life. Some seasonings that you might want to consider stocking up on include saffron to spice up boring old rice and chili peppers to enhance the flavour of your preps. Remember not to forget your basic salt, pepper and sugar that are important to help you achieve that perfect flavour.
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Multivitamins
Keeping good vitality is critical during this stressful time which is why you should stockpile a few bottles of multivitamins in your cupboard. Daily doses of multivitamins can help to supply any missing nutrients you get from your day-to-day diet. Do also remember to pack up on Vitamin C supplements to boost your immune system in combating against infections.
