Fallout shelters are designed to be the best sanctuary when things take a turn for the worst, and people need a thick layer of reinforced concrete and steel to shelter them from radioactive debris and contaminated air.
However, a good supply of food could be just as important as the shelter itself when it’s less about calorie intake and more about survival. Here are some of the best foods to have in a fallout shelter.
Canned Foods
There’s a reason why canned foods were invented, and that’s for their staying power. When vegetables, fruits, beans, meats, and even soups are canned, they becomes sealed, ensuring no contaminants can get in. This process also keeps the items from going bad for long periods of time.
Important proteins can be found in cans such as tuna, chicken, and beans. A manual can opener is also recommended so no matter what, you can get to you food supply.
White Rice
Rice may not be the first thing people would think to stock in a fallout shelter, but when stored in the proper conditions, it has a shelf life of around 30 years. White rice stays good for much longer than its brown counterpart because it doesn’t have the oils that can go rancid.
Rice is a great source of carbohydrates, is easy to cook, and can be used as a basis for many different meals.
Dried Beans And Lentils
Any vegetarian will tell you that beans and lentils are a great source of protein, fiber, and other nutrients. If stored in a dry place in an airtight seal, they can last for decades.
Pinto, black, and kidney beans, as well as chickpeas and lentils, are great for sustenance but do take longer to cook as they are stored for longer. However, they are a great alternative when meat is hard to come by or has run out.
Freeze-dried or Dehydrated Meals
Both freeze-dried and dehydrated meals are specifically made to last and are easy to carry in emergency situations. Even after their respective processes, these meals keep a lot of their nutrients and can last for multiple decades without spoiling.
Even full meals can be freeze-dried, and all they need to come back to life is a bit of water. They can help maintain the spice of variety in an otherwise grim condition.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is already an immensely popular household staple, and would make an amazing addition to any fallout shelter. All nut butters are high in calories and dense with protein, fats, and vitamins. If kept sealed, they can last several years and when opened, are ready to eat and don’t require any cooking hardware.
Almond and cashew nut butter are good alternatives to peanut butter. The butter itself can be incorporated into meals and spread on anything from crackers to bread.
Oats
Oats, like many other items on this list, can survive for many years if kept dry and sealed. They are easy to cook with and can be prepared as a porridge or added to other meals to bulk them up.
The simplicity of oats makes them a great choice for long-term food storage solutions.
Cured Meats
Meat is one of the most important sources of proteins, but usually it spoils within a few days if not frozen. Thankfully, meats that are cured like jerky are high in sodium and protein and can last up to a year without being in a refrigerator.
Dehydrated meats that have preservatives in them from stores can last a long time, while homemade ones that lack them can typically last for a few months. When fresh meat is hard to come by, jerky can be a great morale booster.
Powdered Milk
Powdered milk can last anywhere from a year and a half to decades and is full of protein, calcium, and vitamins. Milk powder can be used in anything from drinks to cooking or even baking.
Even long-life milk doesn’t have the staying power to be in a fallout shelter, so powdered milk is the next best thing and lays a crucial foundation for good bone health.
Candy And Energy Bars
When morale runs low, variety is important, and hard candy and energy bars can be seen as a treat. However, these “treats” are portable sources of energy, and their sugar helps stand out amid bland rations.
While other items might be better for you, candies and energy bars can have an amazing psychological effect and can be stored for years.
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