Tess Pennington
Ready Nutrition
Being
well-nourished during a disaster can mean the difference between
powering through the event with strength, stamina and energy or plodding
through the situation barely able to put one foot in front of the
other.
One often overlooked component of the prepper’s pantry is protein. This vital nutrient:
- Helps with the repair and building of muscle tissue
- Helps the body heal from injuries
- Provides long-lasting stamina
- Helps boost the immune system
Protein
is stored throughout the body. It can be found in muscles, bones,
hemoglobin, myoglobin, hormones, antibodies, and enzymes. In fact,
protein makes up nearly 45% of the human body. Without a steady supply,
body functions will cease to operate effectively.
Protein is often
thought of as one of the more challenging items to stockpile for an
extended period of time. Most people think of a freezer full of juicy
steaks and roasts when they contemplate protein. They feel that the next
resort is tins of highly processed meat pieces. The good news is,
there are many ways to add muscle-building nutrients to your long term
food storage without resorting to a sodium laden closet full of Spam.
To see a breakdown of protein amounts in food sources,
click here.
Although
pantry basics such as dry non-fat milk powder and powdered cheeses
offer protein for the diet, there are other food sources to consider.
Here are the top 5 healthy (and tasty) protein sources to add to your
stockpile:
Beans
Beans are more than just a vegetarian staple. While
beans can stand on their own
as a delicious protein source, adding beans to a dish that contains
meat can stretch your budget by providing lots of protein while using
less meat.
Due to their high fiber content, beans prevent blood
sugar levels from rising too rapidly after a meal, making this food
source an excellent choice for individuals with diabetes, insulin
resistance or hypoglycemia. Having a high fiber food source also helps
to slow the rate of absorption of carbohydrate thus making it a more
energy efficient food source.
Dried beans provide the most bang
for your food storage buck. They are one of the most low cost food
sources on the market. The canned variety will prove to be more fuel
efficient. Canned beans can often be purchased on sale. Plain canned
beans and beans in barbecue sauce can provide instant nutrition in the
event of a power outage. If you don’t want to eat beans that have been
processed, it’s easy to can your own. Click
here for directions on preserving homemade pork and beans.
Store
dried beans in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers, then placed the sealed
bags inside large plastic food grade buckets for added protection.
Click
here for details.
Chia Seeds
The Chia seed
is
a tiny little powerhouse that can add a lot of benefits to your
long-term food storage while only taking up a small amount of space. The
word “Chia” is actually the Mayan word for strength. In ancient
cultures, they are considered the food of the warrior because of their
nutrient density and ability to sustain running messengers for long
durations without other food.
Chia seeds have double the amount of protein found in other seeds, as well as many other nutritional benefits.
- 2x the protein of other seeds
- 5x the calcium of milk
- 2x the potassium of bananas
- 3x the antioxidants of blueberries
- 3x the iron of spinach
Chia
seeds can be sprinkled dry on top of other foods, they can be sprouted
or they can be soaked to create a tasteless gel to stir into soups or
sauces.
Chia seeds can be stored for 2-4 years in a cool, dry place. They can be stored in large glass jars or Mylar bags.
Click
here to learn more about the nutritional value and uses of Chia seeds.
Read More Here
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