Now that it’s spring, mother nature is reminding us just how much power she can bring by hitting several states with tornados. Officials say this is only the beginning of what looks to be a very busy tornado season.
If you live in an area where tornado activity is possible and if you haven’t already, you must get a tornado survival pack prepared. It doesn’t take a lot of time and most items are around your house already. If you ever do find yourself in a severe storm with the potential of tornados, you’re going to be very thankful you prepared ahead of time.
Your list should include obvious things like a flashlight, radio, batteries and medical supplies. But you should also include nonperishable snacks and food. You may think tossing in some twinkies is good enough, but if you do find yourself dealing with a disaster your body is going to need good nutrition to maintain your immune system and health. So what are some healthy items to keep in your survival pack? I thought you would never ask. I have come up with seven healthy items you must include.
First item, bottled water. It seems like a no-brainer, but you’d really hate to forget to put this in the kit. Make sure there is enough for each person in your household. A person should drink 2-3 liters of water a day, so adjust accordingly and keep enough for a 3 day supply.
Peanut butter should be the next item you put in the kit. Choose an all natural peanut butter with low-sodium and low sugar. Also, read the fine print and make sure it’s not one of the kinds that needs to be refrigerated after opening.
Crackers, since they obviously go so well with the peanut butter. Look for multigrain whole wheat crackers with low sodium.
Raisins are an excellent snack in emergency situations because they are high in calories and are nutritious. They contain a number of essential vitamins and minerals, including magnesium.
Tuna or salmon kits are also great to have on hand. Not only are they a tasty snack but they are an excellent source of protein. The protein in tuna is a complete protein, meaning it contains all the essential amino acids the human body needs. Every 100g of tuna contains around 23-27g of protein.
Energy bars are good to have as well. Look for ones with good nutrition and fiber but low on sugars.
Pretzels can also be a healthy choice you just need to know what to look for. Try the unsalted variety (this will cut down on 50% of the sodium) or look at the nutrition label and try to get the ones with only 1 gram of fat per 100 calories.
Hopefully you will never have to use your tornado survival pack, but if you do, you can at least have some peace of mind that you are prepared and will be able to stay healthy.
Also Read:
What You Need to Know About Protein
Sweet Benefits of Healthy Snacking