Whether you’re a homesteader or not, it is always prudent to have a good supply of emergency food for when disaster strikes. And while stocking up on your own canned peaches and tomatoes is definitely great, you want to make sure to have high-calorie foods stored up as well. Fat and protein can be more difficult to store than other foods, but they’re what you need the most to keep your strength up. High-calorie foods are also more efficient, as it takes less food to fill you up, which means more sustenance for less storage space.
Here are a few ideas for high-calorie foods, rich in protein and/or fat, for your survival stash:
Nuts
Nuts are rich in fat, protein, vitamins and minerals, and are a great addition to your long-term food storage. While they can go rancid easily, there are many ways to store them to preserve them for long periods of time, including vacuum canning, which is quick, easy, and mess-free.
Pemmican
Native American staple pemmican is a classic homesteader survival food, made out of dehydrated meat and fruit. Preserving meat for long periods of time can be difficult, even homemade jerky will only last a few months on the shelf, but pemmican can last much longer. It was used by Native Americans to keep their meat through the winter, and early settlers in North America adapted it quickly. It is highly nutritious, often referred to as a “survival superfood”, and you can easily make your own at home.
Quinoa
Quinoa is a great source of both protein and carbohydrates, and keeps very well on the shelf. One serving of quinoa has 16% protein content, so even a small portion will sustain you for a long time. Coupled with the carbohydrates, the protein content of quinoa makes for a great survival food.
Dried Fruit
Dried fruit deserves an honorary mention, because while it is not very high in fat or protein, it still has a high amount of concentrated calories in carbohydrates, which are still important macronutrients for long-term survival. Dried fruit like cherries and raisins have about 150 calories per 1/4 cup, which is pretty whopping, and makes them highly efficient to store.
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