Survival Food: Fat Sources for a SHTF Diet
by Tess Pennington
Ready Nutrition
Recently
by Tess Pennington: The
10 Rules for Your Emergency Food Pantry
Did you know
that we need a daily intake of fat in our diet to survive? Despite
what health organizations say about eliminating fats from our diet,
in a SHTF reality, this food source will actually serve a purpose
in our survival.
Bear in mind,
a 2,000 calorie per day diet equals 67 grams fat and 75 grams protein
per day. 30-35 percent of those calories should come from a fat
source. No matter how afraid we are of fats, having substantial
fat sources in our storage is vital. Here’s why:
- Fats are
an essential component in any diet for proper vitamin absorption.
Specifically, Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble, meaning
they can only be digested, absorbed, and transported in conjunction
with fats.
- Fats also
plays a vital role in maintaining healthy skin and hair, insulating
body organs against shock, maintaining body temperature, and promoting
healthy cell function.
- They also
serve as energy stores for the body.
- Fats are
also sources of essential fatty acids, which are an important
dietary requirement and also serves as a useful buffer towards
a host of diseases. (Source)
- Fats are
one of the 4
Things You Must Eat To Avoid Malnutrition.
The following
are some fat source considerations for you to add to your short
and long-term food storage:
- Infant
formula – Baby formula doesn’t have to be used the
way it was intended. The main source of fat in formulas is vegetable
oil such as soy oil, palm oil or sunflower oil. Coconut oil is
also used in some baby formulas. This would be a great item to
store in case you need to fall back on it as a fat source. The
only drawback of storing formula, is its short shelf life. An
unopened can of powdered infant formula has a shelf life of 12
months. Once a can of formula has been opened, it should be used
within a month and then discarded.
- Ensure
– This supplement drink has 6 grams of fat, which provides
your body with 9 percent of the recommended daily intake. It is
also packed with 24 essential vitamins which would be beneficial
to you in a long-term emergency. If you decide to purchase this
product, get the powdered canned version, the shelf life will
last longer. Further, having this type of supplemental drink can
also help an elderly
family members or members of the family who are becoming vitamin
deficient. Plan on a can of powdered Ensure to last the same as
a can of infant formula, which is roughly about 12 months.
- Oil
(preferably plant based oils) – A general rule of thumb is
the darker the oil the faster it will turn. Also, certain oils
like sesame and flax, which are not processed heavily, will also
go rancid rather quickly. A light colored oil, such as vegetable
or olive oil can last up to a year, if stored properly. Once it’s
opened, the oil could turn within a matter of weeks or months
depending on how it was processed and the storage environment.
- Peanut
butter – Peanut butter has a shelf life of 1 year. Of
course, if your family is anything like mine, peanut butter flies
off the storage shelf.
- Nuts
and seeds – Because of the high oil content in nuts and
seeds their shelf life is usually affected. Nuts and seeds typically
last about 12 months. Therefore, planting your own or learning
to forage in a natural environment can help you get some additional
fats in your survival diet. Further, nuts can also be utilized
as a flour
alternative as well as a milk
alternative, thus making it a tasty substitute for the real
thing.
- Crisco
– A can of Crisco, is fairly cheap, and has a shelf life
of 2-8 years depending on storage conditions. Though it is on
the “naughty” list as far as unhealthy foods go, it
can be useful in a shtf scenario. Aside from including it in your
diet, you can also use the Crisco as an alternative oil source
for lanterns and has also been known to help wet wood burn.
Read
the rest of the article
February
9, 2012
Tess Pennington
joined the Dallas chapter of the American Red Cross in 1999 Tess
worked as an Armed Forces Emergency Services Center specialist and
is well versed in emergency and disaster management and response.
You can follow her regular updates on Preparedness,
Homesteading,
and a host of other topics at ReadyNutrition.com.
Copyright ©
2012 Ready
Nutrition
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