Even with the best intentions, many of my fellow food storage keepers give themselves a false sense of security in their current foods storage plans. So many people I’ve talked to find ease of anxiety with a bucket of wheat in their basement.
The truth is, the majority of our population is not prepared for a disaster and the majority of the preparing community is under-prepared. I would even venture to say that a significant percentage of the food storage community will have only a minimal advantage over those with nothing (maybe a few weeks – nothing long term).
And as with life – we find the 7 deadly sins of food storage. Avoid these sins and enjoy the REAL security of an all-inclusive food storage plan:
1 – Buying Things You Don’t Eat
Sinners of this degree are in abundance in the food storage community. I can’t tell you how deeply I cringe when I hear someone say “Oh we save the good stuff for everyday use and keep the nasty brands for food storage.” or how about “My family doesn’t like wheat products so the wheat just stays in the basement for emergencies”. Oh my poor aching heart.
In rebuttal to both of these excuses: First, on a psychological note, imagine how completely traumatized you would be if you have reached a scenario in which it is necessary to eat your food storage full time. The economy has collapsed, there has been a natural disaster, or any other number of situations. Do you think the best thing for your psyche will be the nasty food you dreaded eating in the good times? Secondly, if you are unfamiliar with the food you will be eating, you are taking a serious risk for allergies or digestive complications. This is particularly true with wheat. Many Americans don’t realize that switching overnight to 100% wheat could quite literally kill them. Most people cannot make the switch that quickly and need to ease into wheat products. Which should start with your current eating habits.
2 – Limiting Your Variety
Do you eat wheat, milk, honey and eggs for every meal every day? If not, do not be like most amateur food storage keepers by making those 5 staples the entirety of your food storage inventory. Include foods you eat today like vegetables, meat and fruit. Also remember common spices and condiments your family enjoys eating. Remembering something like canned butter and jam can make homemade bread into breakfast toast instead of a prisoner’s meal. What about adding some garlic powder and chives to dehydrated potatoes? Think of how you prepare your food today and include it all, down to the salt and pepper.
3 – Forgetting Nutrition
Unfortunately even in times of peace the general public refuses to see the benefit of nutrition in health. It doesn’t take scientific literature for you to understand that if you put good food in, you’ll get good health out. In the case of an emergency your health will be more valuable than ever. Medication might be hard to come by. You may be forced to do more physical labor. Disease could be rampant from contaminated water or poor hygiene in your community. Whatever the case may be, you need to make sure your food is of a nutrient rich variety. Have TONS of vegetables and fruits in your storage along with vitamin supplements to fill in the gaps. Also be sure to rotate your food according to its shelf life to keep the most nutrient rich food available on the shelves.
Jessica Hooley is an LDS prepper from Lehi, UT. She believes that emergency preparation is vital for everyone and that you don’t need to be a survival specialist to get the best emergency preparation for you and your family. Visit her website.
