Natural disaster foods you will need just in case by Kate Johns

Tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, snowstorms, floods--- these are just a few natural occurrences that can change your life in a flash. It is always best to be prepared for the eventuality that your family may be without electricity or heat or even a home for a few weeks. Emergency services may knock on your front door in the middle of the night to alert you to impending doom of a flood, a fire ravaging through the backwoods or a tornado coming your way. You may have to gather up your family and a few precious belongings in a matter of minutes.
What kinds of foods will you need in case of an emergency situation? You will need foods that can weather any kind of storm including water, cold, heat, and wind. You will need to find at least two large portable plastic containers that are easy to grab. They must be airtight containers that will keep the food free from harm, and that will keep the food fresh. You will need foods that are nutritious and that consider every family member's needs. Little kids may not want to eat beef jerky, or anything that isn't loaded with sugar or corn syrup. Start training your family now to eat a healthier diet. Considering that milk can curdle and become unhealthy to eat in several days time, you may want to switch to soy or rice milk that stays fresher longer. You may want to create emergency meals now for the family once a week, that are simple and easy to make and will contain ingredients from the list below such as cereal with soy milk, or crackers with jelly and peanut butter or some canned stew.

You will need to obtain foods that come in packaging that you open without electricity, and you may need food for several weeks time. You will need: A manual can opener and scissors to open cans and cut through bags and packaging to get at your food. You will also need the following items; utensils, bowls, zipper bags, salt, pepper, sugar, hand sanitizer, and paper towels. To determine what foods you will need for your family look inside your pantry. How many portable, and canned foods do you already have? Remember to restock your plastic containers every five months to maintain freshness.

CANNED FOODS YOU WILL NEED

Six cans of fruit with light syrup such as applesauce, pears, peaches and apricots.

Several cans of tuna fish

Several containers of soup

Two containers of rice or soy milk

Two cans of chili or stew

One jar of pasta sauce

One jar of jelly

One jar of peanut butter

Several cans of vegetables

DRIED OR READY TO EAT FOODS

Whole grain crackers

Dried fruits

Whole grain cereal

Granola bars

Beef or turkey jerky

Crackers

Pasta

Instant rice or potatoes

Animal cookies

LIQUIDS

Hot cocoa

Tea,Coffee

You will need a gallon of water for each day.

You will need to provide an emergency meal plan for your family as well as trying to make meals that are healthy and nutritious. Pack vitamins for every family member  just in case you have really picky eaters.