Best Snacks to Take With You When SHTF
When the dust has finally settled following a SHTF situation, things can still continue to get a whole lot worse. If you think for a moment that your family will be tickled to death about eating cans of soups and vegetables day after day, you’d better guess again. Before too long, your children will begin crying and wishing they had a snack worth eating, so don’t hesitate to buy healthy snacks that will satisfy their hunger. It’s even okay to throw in some of their favorite not-so-healthy snacks, along with yours, to keep morale up. These are some of the best snacks to take with you when SHTF.
Best Snacks to Take With You When SHTF
Dried Fruits
Some of your favorite fruits may not be available as fresh offerings for quite some time following a major disaster in your area. So if you still want it as part of your diet, consider stocking up on dried fruits instead. Try to only get dried fruits that are unsweetened, or that are naturally sweetened using apple juice. Also, avoid purchasing any dried fruits that contain the preservative sulfur dioxide in the listed ingredients. These are some of the best dried fruits that are full of key nutrients that you need to consider:
- Raisins
- Bananas
- Apricots
- Mango
- Blueberries
- Cherries
- Figs
Freeze Dried Food Pantry Size Cans for Emergencies
Dried Chickpeas
Dried chickpeas and other bean-based foods are addicting, to say the least, and a great snack item to munch on. They contain protein and fiber, giving you the energy that you will need throughout the day. Some people even buy snack-sized packages of hummus that they can add to these delicious veggies to spice it up a bit. Instant Pot Hummus and Mediterranian Bowl
Granola Bars
I’d be willing to bet that your children’s favorite kind of granola bar has chocolate chips mixed in. That’s okay. You can also stock up on healthier protein and other energy bars just for you. Just be sure to keep an eye on their expiration dates because they don’t tend to last as long as some of these other snack items on this list. Homemade Granola Bars
Beef Jerky/Sticks
In my opinion, a road trip wouldn’t be complete without a package of beef sticks or beef jerky to eat along the way. Depending on what beef jerky or beef sticks you go with, they’re generally packed full of protein, helping you to regain some of your energy. Try to stick with beef jerky that is made from grass-fed cows and aren’t crammed with sugars and other preservatives. If you’re looking for a healthier choice, there are also turkey sticks that taste pretty good too. Homemade Hamburger Jerky
Salmon/Tuna Packets
There are so many different packet flavors of tuna and salmon on the market these days that are a great snack when you’re on the go. No matter which one you choose, you can bet they have important nutrients such as protein, B vitamins, fiber, and Omega-3 fats. Be sure that you remember to have some type of healthy cracker stored away that you can enjoy with it.
A Variety of Nuts
Nuts are not only delicious but highly nutritious as well. They’re chock-full of protein, fiber, and healthy fats while helping to curve your appetite at the same time. This is why many dieters turn to this tasty snack when trying to lose weight. Whether you’re trying to lose weight or not, be sure to have several different varieties of nuts on hand in your emergency snack supply to keep things interesting and fun. Health Benefits of Nuts
Trailmix
When you have a craving for something that’s both sweet and salty, trail mix is generally what I turn to for such an occasion. It’s a nutrient-dense snack that will provide you with energy, especially if you are having to do physical activity, such as hiking.
You can buy a bag of your favorite variety at the grocery store, but it’s also a snack that’s very easy to make on your own. Choose from ingredients such as nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and a few M&M’s to sweeten your batch. Here are a few that trail mix recipes that you can try making:
Pemmican
Pemmican is a traditional Native American food that is capable of lasting for many years when it’s stored properly. If you’ve never tried it, you wouldn’t know that you’re missing out on great snacking food during an emergency. It’s very good! Pemmican usually includes ingredients such as dried meats (bison, deer, elk, moose, etc.) or fish, dried berries, and animal fat. It will provide you with an energy and mood boost, something you’ll definitely be needing. Here are step-by-step instructions for how you can make pemmican.
Food That Have a Long Shelf Life
Popcorn
Popcorn kernels are a whole grain that’s high in fiber and low in fat, making it another great salty snack option for you. If left unpopped and stored correctly, it will usually last you for about two years. When you decide to pop it, you’ll get maybe one or two weeks out of it at the most. What’s also fun about this snack is that there are so many different flavors and toppings that you can drizzle on top to make it even tastier. Popcorn: Everything You Need to Know
Other Snacks to Consider
There really is no wrong answer regarding snacks that you should take with you when SHTF, but here are a few others that you may want to gather, especially if you have young picky eaters. If you choose to stock up on any of the following, just remember to rotate your supply every few weeks:
- Fruit snacks
- Nutella on the go
- Crackers
- Pretzels
- Chips
- Cookies
- Peanut M&M’s
Best Snacks to Take With You When SHTF
Final Word
When it comes to a SHTF situation, you’re going to want tasty and delicious snacks to help you and your family through such a catastrophic event. Make sure that you’re choosing snacks that not only satisfy your hunger but have plenty of nutrients, thus providing you with much-needed energy and vitamins. What are some of the best snacks you can suggest to take with you when SHTF? May God Bless this world, Linda.
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Copyright Images: Dried Fruit and Nuts AdobeStock_262283194 by mizina
When I look into my go bag/hunting bag I see 2 kinds of things to eat. One that I can eat while moving and one I need to be stopped.
Flavor is fine but FUEL is most important.
Post event : eat whatever you got in the order of when it’ll go bad.
Hi Matt, great comment, fuel is the best. I keep a few protein bars that help. I like having a few choices in case I need to share with others. Life is good when we have food for on the run! Linda
I have some macadamia nuts that I’ve had for over a year. They are still good. I also have some pecans in a can. I love dried fruits. Watermelon, dried is like eating candy. I made some last year. Another dried fruit I like is prunes. Just don’t eat too many. LOL
Hi Deborah, I love macadamia nuts and pecans! Oh my gosh, I dehydrated watermelon it’s the best! The prunes, that’s the best! Linda
I buy the Sweet Ones. Yummy!
Love this! Snacks are so important. I have a ton of kids too and sometimes you have to bribe them with snacks LOL
Hi Jess, I can be bribed with chocolate!! LOL! Life is so good with snacks! Linda
Just found out that we need to use metal water bottles just incase we need to boil water for soup ,etc. That way no mice won’t eat the plastic you might store.. Also, I never knew that I could start a fire with Doritos or Cheetos. I had to look it up and it really is the case. The oils and the powder on them helps the fire get started. I imagine that would be the case even with old chips. Fun info!!!
HI Cheryl, good idea on the metal water bottles! I had not heard about starting a fire with Doritos and Cheetos. I love tips like this! Linda
Linda, when I was in my 20’s I did a lot of winter mountaineering. That’s really hard ski-touring and snowshoeing work, in sub zero temperatures, at altitude. While I packed dehydrated soups, hot chocolate and Mountain House meals for sit down meals my go-to was Gorp–what most folks now call trail mix.
I made my own of M&M’s, raisins and peanuts, and I ate it by the pound while losing weight on those trips. The flavor was good, but the fuel value was superb. We’re talking tons of calories and carbs, which is what people will need when TSHTF. Over the years I added everything from dried pineapple and banana chips to macadamia’s, cashews, and almonds. The Gorp just kept getting better and better. To this day I keep a few pounds of it in vacuum sealed bags, some in the pantry and some in the freezer.
PS: It’s great to have on hand when the grandkids visit.
Hi Ray, oh man!! I love trail mix. Your first ingredient is M & M’s, right on! I buy a bag or two of trail mix at Costco when I go there. I need to make my own, sometimes I’m just lazy but look at all the possibilities you have added! I LOVE it! Linda
For the most part now when I make Gorp I start with M&M Peanuts. I now add all sorts of dried fruits and often use Costco’s Mixed nuts to finish off.
Back in the day I was consuming between 6,000 and 8,000 calories per day and I’d lose between 12-20 pounds on a one week trip. Oh, for the day. Now, if I even look at the stuff I gain a pound.