25 Reasons to Value Sugar for Emergency Preppers
Sugar could be a lifesaver in emergencies. Often overlooked, sugar is more than a sweet treat; it’s essential for any pantry. I try to keep as much sugar on hand as possible, especially for emergency preppers. I want to share why you should value sugar more than you may realize.
1. Long Shelf Life
One of the most significant advantages of sugar is its exceptionally long shelf life. When stored properly in an airtight container, sugar can last indefinitely without losing its quality or potency. This makes it a reliable staple for long-term storage. Foods with the Longest Shelf Life Having shelf-stable foods in your prepper pantry provides peace of mind.
This is a food item you can add to your list of long-term food storage basics. If you are storing your sugar in plastic buckets, make sure they are BPA free food grade containers. Some people store sugar in mylar bags with oxygen absorbers, but I need larger volumes and containers to hold what I have.
2. Caloric Energy Source
Sugar is a quick and accessible source of energy. In emergencies where high-energy foods are scarce, a small amount of sugar can provide the necessary calories to keep you going. One gram of sugar contains approximately four calories, which can be crucial in survival scenarios. 25 Creative Ways to Use Outdated Sugar
3. Preservation Capabilities
Sugar is an excellent preservative. It works by drawing out moisture, creating an environment that inhibits the growth of bacteria and mold. This is particularly useful for preserving fruits and making homemade jams and jellies, vital food sources during emergencies. How To Make Freezer Jam
If you have some wheat, a whole grain we’ve all grown up on, you can make bread with the flour you’ve ground. Families all seem to enjoy a good peanut butter and jam sandwich when food prep is tough or you need a quick meal in a pinch.
4. Medicinal Uses
Sugar has various medicinal properties. It can be used to treat wounds by acting as an antiseptic. Applying sugar to a wound helps dehydrate bacteria, accelerating healing and preventing infection. First Aid Kits-What You Need To Survive
5. Food Preparation
In addition to preservation, sugar is crucial in food preparation. It enhances the flavor of various dishes from soups to rice and pasta, making otherwise bland emergency rations more palatable. Whether baking, canning, or fermenting, sugar is a versatile ingredient that can improve your food’s taste and shelf life. 10 Essential Ingredients You Need When Baking
6. Electrolyte Replenishment
Sugar, combined with salt, can help create a homemade electrolyte solution. This can be essential for hydration when commercial sports drinks or medical supplies are unavailable. Mix sugar and salt in water to make an effective rehydration solution. Prepare For The Unexpected
7. Trade and Barter
In a post-crisis economy, sugar can be a valuable commodity for trading and bartering. Its long shelf life and demand make it an ideal item for exchange, allowing you to trade for other necessary supplies or services. How to Barter with Food and Water
8. Comfort and Morale Boost
In times of stress, a little sweetness can go a long way. Sugar can be used to make comfort foods, snacks, and treats, significantly boosting morale. A sweet treat can provide a psychological lift, helping maintain a positive outlook during tough times. 5 Quick And Easy Desserts Anyone Can Make You may consider sugar to be one of the survival foods you want on your pantry shelf, no matter the emergency you’re dealing with.
9. Candle Making
Sugar can be used in the production of emergency candles. Mixing sugar with a small amount of oil, you can create a paste that can be used to light candles. This can provide light and heat when conventional fuel sources are unavailable. 40 Lost Homemaking Skills That Need to Be Refound
10. Fuel for Fermentation
Sugar is a critical ingredient in fermentation, producing alcohol for disinfecting. Alcohol can be used for various applications, like sanitizing surfaces. Emergency Fuel To Store For Survival
11. Insect Traps
Sugar is an effective ingredient in homemade insect traps. Mixing sugar with water or vinegar can attract insects, which can be crucial in keeping your living space free from pests that can spread disease. Keeping Pests Away from Food Storage
12. Scent Masking
In survival situations, masking human scent can be crucial. Sugar can be used in combination with other substances to create scent-masking mixtures. This is particularly useful for hunters or those trying to avoid detection.
13. Fire Starter
Sugar can be used as a fire starter in emergencies. When mixed with potassium permanganate, it can create a chemical reaction that produces fire. This method can be life-saving when traditional fire-starting materials are unavailable. 15 Different Ways to Make Fire Starters
14. Nutritional Supplement
While sugar alone isn’t nutritionally complete, it can be combined with other ingredients to make high-energy foods such as energy bars or emergency rations with the nutrients you need to survive. These foods can help maintain energy levels and morale during long-term emergencies. Emergency food can take on many forms, but having sugar and other pantry staples on hand, making meals with the necessary nutritional value is much easier.
15. Canning and Preservation
Sugar is essential for canning and preserving fruits. It helps maintain preserved foods’ color, flavor, and texture, ensuring they remain edible and nutritious over extended periods. Pressure Canning 101: The Most Comprehensive Guide
16. Boosting Fermentation in Baking
In baking, sugar feeds the yeast, which is crucial for fermentation. This is important for making bread and other baked goods, staple foods in emergencies. Substitute Baking Ingredients You Need
17. Dehydration Prevention
Sugar can help prevent dehydration. In hot climates or during physically demanding activities, sugar can be used to make rehydration solutions that help retain water in the body. 30 Pandemic Essentials
18. Natural Exfoliant
In emergencies where personal hygiene products are scarce, sugar can be used as a natural exfoliant. It helps remove dead skin cells and can be combined with other ingredients to create scrubs, maintaining hygiene and preventing skin infections.
19. Maintaining Mental Focus
Sugary foods can provide a quick boost of glucose to the brain, which is essential for maintaining mental focus and alertness. This can be particularly important during stressful or demanding situations that require clear thinking and decision-making. How to Be Tougher Mentally As a Prepper
20. Energy Source for Animals
Sugar can also be used as an energy source for animals. In emergencies where animal feed is scarce, a small amount of sugar can help maintain the energy levels of pets or livestock, ensuring they remain healthy. Sugar is essential for emergency preppers and can be great for animals.
21. Emergency Fuel Source
Sugar can be converted into ethanol and used as a fuel source. This can be particularly useful in situations where conventional fuel supplies are disrupted.
22. Homemade Glue
In emergencies, you might need to make repairs or create makeshift tools. Sugar can be combined with other ingredients to make homemade glue, which can be used for various applications, from fixing broken equipment to crafting survival tools.
23. Supporting Plant Growth
In a survival garden, sugar can be used to support plant growth. It can act as a carbon source for beneficial soil microbes, promoting healthier plants and increasing food supply. Summer Gardening Tips Everyone Must Know
24. Maintaining Food Variety
Sugar helps maintain food variety by allowing you to make a wide range of foods and beverages. This variety is essential for preventing food fatigue and ensuring a balanced diet, even in emergencies.
25. Universal Accessibility
Sugar is widely available and relatively inexpensive. This makes it an accessible option for building your emergency supplies, ensuring you can stock up without significant financial strain. Prepare For The Unexpected Whether you have stored cane sugar, powdered sugar, molasses, and even honey, you have sweeteners we all are used to and can enjoy as part of meal prep.
Many preppers also rely on syrups to provide some sugar in their diet. Maple syrup is very popular, but other syrups like honey syrup and agave syrup have become popular.
More Content to Check Out
- How to Make Hot Water in an Emergency
- 50 Things You Should Do Every Year to Prepare for an Emergency
- What You Need To Survive A Disaster
More Tips for Using Sugar
Final Word
Sugar is an invaluable resource for emergency preppers. It has a long shelf life and can be used for many critical parts of your survival strategy. I would encourage you to use sugar in your emergency preparations. Do you use sugar for emergency preppers in your household? I’d love to hear all of your tips! May God Bless this World, Linda
Great information. I have not stored very much sugar because we use it very infrequently these days. However, your list has definitely made me aware of all of its used. Thanks!
Hi Della, you have a great point, a lot of people are trying not use as much sugar these days. But, we can barter it or use it for other things, thank you! Linda