The food that you want to store for your 72 Hour Bag (3 days) should be compact, easy to prepare (no heating), and high energy. Nutritious is also good and is easier to achieve by planning ahead. Figure on 2000-2500 calories a day or thereabouts per person, for a total of about 6000-7500 calories each…
Some good food items for your 72 hour BOB (“Bug Out Bag”):
- granola/trail/Clif bars
- packaged trail mix (fruits, nuts, seeds, etc)
- dried meats (jerky, slim jim, etc)
- canned meats (tuna, chicken, corned beef, etc) *don’t forget you need a can opener
- dried fruits
- packaged nuts (almonds, peanuts, etc)
- peanut butter crackers
- cheese and crackers
- MREs (government issue “meals ready to eat”)
- freeze-dried hikers meals (many are outstanding and require only water)
- candy bars/hard candy
- protein/energy powder mixes
- powdered Gatorade
- instant powdered milk
- sugar cereals
- pop tarts
- Grape nuts cereal
- instant mashed potatoes
- instant cereals (oatmeal, cream of rice, grits)- make sure they are instant
Each family will have their own preferences and you don’t need all of these items. You should rotate these items occasionally (the freeze-dried food and MREs will generally last 5 years or even longer) by eating them and replacing with fresh items.
Both the food and water that was discussed previously don’t have to be stored in your car at all times if space is at a premium or if you don’t want to have these survival items staring you in the face all the time. Just have them near your car where you can throw them in at a moments notice and bug out.
If you have two of these food kits, then you already have enough food to survive a week in your house without the need to cook.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Those are great items for your bug out bag. Actually I would be in better condition if I ate whats on your list. Except for the MREs.
Mike
http://www.ColumbiaSafetyProducts.com
That’s a good list. Pretty much what I have. ARe you going to talk about a first aid kit as well? And when do I get to practice with you and my stun gun?
ps I think you DO look young, even w/o makup.But you might want to put some in your 72 hr bag anyway.
Sonya Lenzo
http://www.yourchanceforromance.com
What a great survival shopping list! When calculating water usage, do we need to factor in water for food preparation (‘just add water’) or is that considered in the formula?
Mark
Direct Selling Advice, Leveraging Relationships for Long-term Profit
This is incredible to know exactly what you need to survive in an emergency. I would love to know what types of emergencies you have in mind when you right about what we need to bug in and out.
Jen B
The Harwood Group – Tinnitus, Chronic Illness, Fears, and Anxiety
Thank you for giving a list of actual items, rather than just generalities. It is harder to ignore it this way. The next time I am at the store, and I walk past the pop-tarts, I will think – I should get some of these for my BOB.
Michelle
Fun and Free Activities
nutritious wholseome foods are exactly what is needed in emergency situations….great list Rob.
http://alamghafoor.com
I discussed your list with my ESL/EFL students (great source of new vocabulary words and insight into American eating habits as many of the items you mentioned are unknown).
My Italian students would add a loaf of salami and bresaola (dried beef eaten cold) and a chunk of hard cheese to your list with packages of seasoned dried bread and, naturally, a bottle or two of wine – as this is good for medicinal purposes as well.
What about clothing? Do you have any suggestions for a 72-hour BOB of clothing in case of emergencies?
Eileen
Mixing Romance, Feet & ESL lessons
Enjoy Being Online here!
Great list. I had a friend who lived up in the mountains and on occasion would come down with the flu and not want to head into town for a couple of days. He kept cans of Slim-Fast or other acceptable meal suppliment on hand for convenience, not having to cook, saves space and still gives you the nutrients you need to function (short term). Thanks for the specifics.
http://dewaynechriswell.com
Great list as usual. Going to the printer right now to start generating a shopping list.
Tim Van Milligan, helping you Make Money Online, God’s Way!
It is nice to have a list so the thing I like and my family like are in My 72 hour kit.
I think you’ve got all the essentials there on that list. Especially the proteins which keep you fuller longer.
Hi Rob,
I like your suggested food list. Of course our own lists may vary, and we’ll need to add some comfort foods least we become TOO cranky.
Can we just whole up in some cool beach community with other also cool Bugging In and Out folks?
Hi Tim,
Getting wisdom by following God’s instructions to ASK Him for it, leverage the wonderful resources around us which He provides to us, and stewarding them well, certainly makes for wise financial instruction and an ever-deepening relationship with God.
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
Cyberdating Expert and Online Dating Coach
Food is an important part of your preparation steps. At least a weeks supply would make everyone more secure.
Steve Chambers
Body Language Expert
Another great list of 72 Hour Essentials and the types of food we should consider stocking up on for our bug out bag.
Really glad you included the can opener because I can guarantee someone would forget (namely me).
Michael
The Success Secrets
This list actually looks pretty yummy! I was expecting dried meat and beans and not much more. I could deal with eating this stuff for 72 hours and more. Thanks for the list.
Lisa McLellan
Babysitting Services, Nanny Services, and Nanny agencies
Rob, what a great list. People that know me and (see) me, know that I like food. One great thing about your list…I’ll eat about all the items there.
Another great thing… I’m sure that any picky eater will find a few things that will fill the void.
Can’t believe Mike Norris …..No MREs?
Lynn Lane
Warrior Of Success
I like to back back and the MRE’s aren’t exactly gourmet food but they do provide essential nutrition.
If they get old you can always eat them for lunch at work.
Michael
http://datingguruhq.com