These foods are essential for nuclear war survival in the U.S. (2024)
Russian President Vladimir Putin's threats of using nuclear weapons during his invasion of Ukraine have European countries and the United States evaluating their own plans in the event of nuclear war.
Should an all-out war arise between nuclear superpowers, one expert told Newsweek that there is nothing civilians can do to prepare or prevent the ensuing destruction short of urging their elected representatives to not take such an in the first place. However, if a smaller attack occurred—such as one nuclear weapon explosion—there are ways people can prepare.
That includes having a go bag on hand that includes medications, water, important documents, memorabilia that can't be replaced, and food. While people will need to take immediate action to flee the area near a nuclear blast, later they will have to worry about hydration and nutrition.
Irwin Redlener, founding director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness (NCDP) at Columbia University, said that ideal food items to stockpile would be high-calorie products with lots of carbohydrates and protein, as well as water—enough to last each person three days.
Since water is heavy, Redlener suggested packing less canned goods and more dried foods to lower any excess weight in the go bag. He highlighted items like meals ready to eat (MREs), like dried chicken parmesan, that only need water to rehydrate and contain sufficient calories.
Jeff Schlegelmilch, director of NCDP at Columbia University, stressed the importance of one food group that people may not consider when packing their bags.
"Throw in something you like. It's OK to eat something you like in a disaster if you're going to be eating canned foods," Schlegelmilch told Newsweek. "If you want a bag of Doritos at some point, that's a good investment. Some sort of comfort item in that food kit is going to taste really good after a couple of days of canned food."
Schlegelmilch said people should prioritize foods with a long shelf-life, but also take into account the materials they have on hand to prepare the foods. Canned goods can be consumed straight from the can, but dried goods like rice and beans need to be boiled first. If a person doesn't have the proper equipment to cook without electricity, they should opt for canned foods instead.
Some options people should consider stockpiling are pasta, beans, rice, protein bars, and canned items higher in protein like black beans or beef stew.
Families should pack items they enjoy eating. Schlegelmilch said since his family often cooks Mexican dishes, it's easy for him to keep extra cans of black beans on hand for an emergency.
However, canned foods could cause harm if someone is on a low-sodium diet because of medical issues like hypertension or a heart condition. Those individuals may need to pack more dried foods instead.
Redlener said each family's go bag will consist of different items specific to that family—such as if a baby requires formula, or if certain allergies prevent a person from consuming certain foods.
People also should consider their medical needs and food and water for their pets.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Canned vegetables and beans and preserved meats (think Spam and hot dogs) were popular choices, along with peanut butter, boxed cereals, canned juices, drink mixes and packaged crackers and cookies.
Obviously if there were still animals left… grains. Fruits or veggies would be nice, but grains could sustain us. Barley, oats, wheat, rye and corn are some.
Western Texas, most of Nevada, Michigan, and Wisconsin would be notably in the clear. With that said, the latter two would likely become uninhabitable in the coming nuclear winter.
However, in general, it is recommended to have at least two weeks' worth of food and water stored in case of an emergency. This should include non-perishable items such as canned goods, dried fruits and vegetables, and bottled water.
Take disaster supplies with you (such as a flashlight and extra batteries, battery-operated radio, first aid kit and manual, emergency food and water, nonelectric can opener, essential medicines, cash and credit cards, and sturdy shoes).
Recovery would probably take about 3-10 years, but the Academy's study notes that long term global changes cannot be completely ruled out. The reduced ozone concentrations would have a number of consequences outside the areas in which the detonations occurred.
Another real estate expert, Agent Editorial Board chair Jasen Edwards, suggested the Midwest and southeast due to their access to fresh water and farmland, and the Rocky Mountains which are difficult for nuclear warheads to reach.
Antarctica could be the safest place to go in the event of nuclear war because the Antarctic Treaty banned all detonation of nuclear weapons there. It is also far from any major targets. Though it's a good place to avoid bombs, it's a terrible place to live in. You might need to pack enough supplies if you go there.
In the event of a radiation emergency, eat food in sealed containers (cans, bottles, boxes, etc.). Unspoiled food in your refrigerator or freezer is also safe to eat. Food in a pantry or drawer away from radioactive material is safe to eat. Food in containers from the outside that have been wiped off is safe to eat.
After a nuclear event, all local water — including well water — is considered contaminated. The only safe way to stay hydrated is by drinking bottled water and other sealed drinks, so these are an essential part of any emergency kit, per the CDC.
Originally Answered: What kind of food supply can you store in your underground bunker that can last a long time? Canned Goods: Canned vegetables, fruits, beans, and meats have a long shelf life and can retain nutritional value for years. Ensure to rotate stocks and check expiration dates regularly.
How often should KI be taken? KI is helpful for about 24 hours. You should keep taking it once a day until the health department says to stop, or you are out of the emergency area.
Keep 7 to 10 days of emergency supplies like water, food, and medical necessities. You should also have a battery-powered flashlight and AM/FM radio in case you lose electricity. Register with NotifyLA to receive emergency alerts via text, voice, or email message.
Life will survive after a nuclear war, even though humans may not. A "nuclear winter" would see temperatures plummet, causing massive food shortages for humans and animals. Radiation would wipe out all but the hardiest of species.
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Introduction: My name is Duncan Muller, I am a enchanting, good, gentle, modern, tasty, nice, elegant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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