This post contains affiliate links.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you could be prepared and even survive a worldwide catastrophe? Considering the strange times we currently live in when you look at it realistically, there should be nothing more logical than turning your home into an ideal bug-out location.
While there are many things to be done to make you prepared for any disaster such as a family disaster plan or a good selection of doomsday supplies, in this post, we will have a look at some best high-calorie survival foods to have in your prepper’s pantry that will highly increase your chance of surviving in an emergency situation.
Why You Need To Stockpile High-Calorie Foods
When society collapses, your body will start to rapidly run out of energy. You will become lethargic and weak, as your body will be producing less energy for basic bodily functions, including eating and even sleeping. So, how will you eat and sleep well if you’re out of food?
Whilst many people like to think that they’ll be able to hunt animals and gather their own fruits and vegetables, the truth is that the vast majority of people won’t.
In order to eat and sleep, you’ll want to consume high-calorie survival foods that have enough calories to keep you going in situations that require enhanced alertness. Below are some of the most nutrient-dense foods for survival to help you start building a reliable survival pantry.
Oats as High-Calorie Shelf Stable Food
Luckily, oats are not only high in protein, but they are also very high in calories. Oats are also resistant to pests and long-lasting, making them ideal for long-term storage and a good option for this list of high-calorie and shelf-stable foods for preppers.
Easy to store and prepare, grains, particularly oats are a must for a prepper’s pantry. Not only offers a good caloric intake but oats are also a good choice if you look for foods that help you curb cravings and last longer without feeling hungry.
Eggs (Dried)
For those of you who are allergic to shellfish, or just don’t like their taste, you can substitute them with a protein-rich alternative. Eggs are a great source of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fats.
They can also be used as a protein-rich alternative to baked goods. What’s more, they can also be dried and used as a long-term high-calorie prepper food choice. You can learn to dry eggs by looking at the below Youtube tutorial but if you want to take the shortest route you can buy ready-made dried eggs from this trusted Amazon seller.
Bread
Without surprise, bread is also a good shelf-stable survival food. It is easy to store and can be eaten with a variety of all kind of meals be it everyday meals or long-term meals such as jams, fermented foods, or all types of canned foods.
Bread can also be used to make stews, soups, and other dishes. Bread can be stored for long periods of time and used as a crouton for salads if you happen to be able to provide yourself with some fresh vegetables and greens during a crisis.
Millet/Rice/Barley
These are all types of legumes that are rich in proteins. They can also be used to make stews, soups, and other dishes. Rice and barley have a fairly neutral flavor, making them easy to blend with other ingredients.
Long-lasting and highly nutritious, rice is a staple food for anyone that wants to be ready for the worst. Even one of my friends that does not believe at the end of the world got a couple of big rice bags just in case SHTF without a warning and to be minimally prepared.
One or two 10kg bags of good quality basmati rice should suffice if you want to be prepared with a good amount of high-calorie survival foods with a long shelf-life. Have a look at this 1kg Tilda Pure Basmati Rice for cheap and healthy rice to get you started on the right track with a healthy and nutrient-dense survival food option.
Beans and Peas
Maybe one of the most nutrient-dense foods for survival, beans as well as peas are a must for any pantry. They are also considered great protein-rich alternatives to meat. They are also rich in vitamins which are necessary to help you and your family stay fit and be prepared in case of a food shortage. You can also get the dried option to extend their lifespan or just freeze them so you can have something to cook if a disaster strikes.
Beef and Poultry Meat
Beef and poultry meat are without a doubt another good choice as a high-calorie prepper food easy to store and are relatively inexpensive.
These high-protein foods can be used to make stews, soups, and much more. The high protein content along with important nutrients helps maintain your body and mind in good condition which is even so more important in case a disaster strikes.
For ready-made Jerky meat have a look at this Nitrates Free Premium Beef Teriyaki or you can dry meat by yourself. Check the video below to create your own high-calorie and shelf stable food by drying meat.
The downside is that you need to spend a couple of hundred dollars on a trusted dehydrator such as this 1000W Food Dehydrator with 10 Shelves at Amazon for all types of foods, not just meat alone.
Honey
Honey is another top choice for a good list of high-calorie survival foods. More so since it can naturally last for months without going bad. It can be used as a sweetener for any recipe or use as it is. It is also a good type of food to make you feel full without cravings due to its high nutritional value.
Easy to store, honey is a must for any long-term pantry. Delicious, nutritious, and generally healthy you can find some good honey providers here on Amazon. But it’s best to buy from your local producer if you have that option too.
Dried Vegetables and Fruits
Dried Vegetables and fruits are ideal for long-term storage and a must for anyone looking into high-calorie survival foods. They are easy to transport, have a long shelf life, and are relatively cheap. Dried Vegetables and fruits are high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, making them ideal for keeping your body healthy in any crisis situation.
A good stack of nutrient-dense foods for your survival pantry is an important step to take. But as I already said there are other important things to consider. Medicines and first aid kit supplies are also important to consider as they can save your family from many diseases and even death.
Once the food aspect of prepping is taken care of with some of the most nutrient-dense foods for survival I also want to share some quick best practices to maximize your preparedness and be as ready as you can for any situation that might disturb our normal way of life.
Long-Term Food Storage Basics
- Keep food items in an air-tight container that is sealed properly.
- Make sure that the container you choose is made for long-term food storage.
- Avoid storing food in areas that are extremely hot or cold.
- Make sure that the food stored is edible and nutritious.
Food Storage Times
- Dry foods can be stored for up to 25 years.
- Dry grains, legumes, and seeds can be stored for several years, while other food items can last for years.
- Fresh and freeze-dried foods have a one-year storage time limit.
What NOT to eat
- Do NOT eat rotten or spoiled food.
- Do NOT eat food that is excessively hot or cold.
- Do not eat food that has a bad smell.
- Do not eat food items that have been damaged or improperly handled.
How to Prepare Food
- Cut and grind dry food items before cooking.
- Cook foods thoroughly before eating them.
- Always taste the food before serving and eating it.
- Store leftovers properly before taking them out again.
- Eat every last bit of food on your plate.
Food Preservation
- Freeze-drying foods is one of the most effective ways to preserve food.
- Fermentation can be used to make food last for years.
- Canning is another way to store food for long periods, but it requires the use of a canning pot and pressure canner.
The Right Foods to Store
- Dry, long-lasting foods, such as oats, wheat, and beans, should be one of the first things that you store.
- Grains and seeds can be stored for several years, while other types of dry food items, such as bread, can be stored for years.
- Fruits, vegetables, and meats have a one-year storage time limit.
How to Store Food
- Keep all dry foods in air-tight containers that are opaque and properly sealed.
- Make sure that the dry foods are edible and nutritious.
- Make sure that the dry foods are not rotten or damaged.
When to Buy New Food
- When you run out of food, try to buy new food items before you reach the end of your current food supply.
- It is best to use your last food supply before it expires, rather than trying to extend its shelf life by using it less frequently.
Cockroach-Proof Your Food Supply
- To prevent cockroaches from getting into your food supply, seal all containers tightly.
- Make sure that all food items are properly stored and that they are not damaged or rotten.
- Make sure that the food is edible and nutritious.
Survival Food Storage Plans
- Create a detailed food storage plan that includes how you will store food, how much food you will store, and how often you will check the food supply.
- Make sure that you are checking the food supply frequently, cleaning and restoring it, and that you are eating the food that you have stored.
- Make sure that you are not starving, and that you have enough calories to get you through any potential crisis that may arise.
- Make sure that you have enough food to get you through any potential crisis, even if it takes you months to finish eating it all.
- Make sure that you are not starving, and that you have enough calories to get you through any potential crisis that may arise.
Final Words
Any prepper would agree that is good practice to focus on high-caloric foods for a long-term survival pantry. In case you are new to prepping this list and tips on storing high-calorie survival foods and tips should help you stay ready and prepped for any emergency situation. For an official prepping guide check out this Canadian blog post about Emergency Preparedness to learn more about the topic.
Let us know in the comments section below what you think about this high-calorie survival foods list. What other foods would you add to this list? Let the nation know in the comments section and help everybody stay calm and ready for everything.
Recommended reads: