If you remember, at the beginning of 2021, we had an unexpected and inappropriate visit: Filomena’s. And many people were caught without even a sad box of eggs in the fridge.
We don’t know what each season will bring us (as if we were talking about fashion trends), but for example, this one in question started strong, even though the heat now threatens us at the end of December.
So in case, the biggest one falls again if the virus hits us again, or even if the much-feared blackout arrives, I will tell you about ten foods that cannot be missing at home.
Why must a “survival” food kit be at home?
Because, at this point, nothing can be ruled out. Between the strains of Covid that come to spoil our party, the storms, and God knows what the near future holds for us (hopefully nothing more like this), better safe than sorry.
Survival food: the ten essential foods to survive a “holocaust.”
Without any more preambles. I will tell you the ten essential foods that should not be missing at home to survive… Whatever.
1- Water
It may sound too basic, but it is worth remembering that it is water in any emergency if something is missing.
The Federal Agency for Emergency Management in the United States (where they know a lot about this topic) warns that the forecast must be at least one liter per person per day .
And it is that we remember that without eating, you can survive longer, but without drinking, not so much.
2- Canned legumes
It is the cheapest, fastest, and most sustainable solution to satisfy our needs in terms of protein and getting significant amounts of fiber and micronutrients.
Let’s not just think about the classic spoon dishes since hummus and legume salads are other healthy and straightforward options to introduce to our menu.
3- Canned vegetables and vegetables
Some artichokes, some piquillo peppers, some ready-to-eat asparagus, a canned stew that we only need to heat… All of them are good options.
👉 And it is that the world of digital canning is not yet sufficiently exploited, and it should! Of course, check the nutritional table that they do not contain more than 1.25% salt.
4- Canned fish
Mackerel, tuna, or sardines are essential sources of nutrients such as vitamin D or omega-3 fatty acids.
When choosing a good canned fish, we must first look at the percentage of salt, as in canned vegetables, making sure it is less than 1.25% .
And then we must check the type of “caldillo”. That is to say, preferably, we will stay with natural preserves or virgin olive oil.
5- Cereals
Pickles, toast (whole wheat preferably), and cereals (without added sugar) last a long time in good condition.
We must also resort to other sources of fast carbohydrates, such as canned corn and cups of precooked rice (which will replace rice when we cannot cook it).
6- Boat broths
The typical poultry, vegetable, meat, or fish broths in tetra bricks are also essential in any emergency.
But watch out; not everyone is the same! So, we must avoid those that contain flavor enhancers (the famous monosodium glutamate may not poison, but we don’t need it either).
We must choose those that carry water without further ado, the main ingredients and salt. Luckily, many of these broths contain less than 1% salt today.
7- Eggs
Few foods offer so much nutrition for so little, and also, its best before date is 28 days from laying.
Let’s not forget that egg protein is the highest quality. So if we can cook in the middle of an emergency, eggs cannot be missing at home.
By the way, they can be eaten daily! Let’s forget that old myth that the poor egg doesn’t deserve to carry.
8- Nuts
Here is another food that carries some myths it does not deserve. As long as we know how to choose them well, nuts have much to offer us, nutritionally speaking.
👉 We always have to buy them raw or toasted, not salty or with flavor enhancers, sugar, honey, or some sweetener.
✅ Nuts provide quality fats, protein, fiber, nutrients, etc.
And although it is true that they also provide a lot of calories, the good news is that they are very satiating and that, due to their composition, part of those calories is not assimilated.
Thus, nuts cannot be missing in the pantry or the car’s glove compartment.
9- Energy bars
If an emergency forces us to stay home, perhaps there are more exciting options than energy bars, both nutritionally and gastronomically.
However, as with nuts, these bars are handy when traveling.
⚠️ Of course, look at the ingredients list and be careful with added sugars or polyalcohols.
10- If someone knew how to do it, those were our grandmothers
In the first world, it is quite a drama for us to think of being unable to go to the supermarket for a couple of days or three at the most, as happened when Filomena visited us.
We did not remember that until not so long ago, supermarkets did not have as much availability as today. And the refrigeration systems that we have today did not even exist.
For this reason, our grandmothers made do with what they had.
In my land (La Mancha), they used homemade preserves such as marinades (the famous partridge in marinade), canned tomato or ratatouille, cheese in oil, desalted cod, or exquisite loin.
I know some of these foods may not be for every day. But they can well give us joy in the middle of an emergency.
The Apothecary’s advice
✅ It is true that the actors in the food distribution chain in Spain have shown us in the pandemic, and by far, that we have nothing to fear.
However, it never hurts to be farsighted, and if any Filomena decides to shop around, she better catch us with the pantry ready.
