Daily calorie intake

[kev]

Lets start with - Do you really read the labels?


While trying to figure out a food stockpile, or what kind of foods you should store, how big of a factor is calorie intake per day? Or is it along the lines of, "oh, I need some more canned soups, or some more canned veggies?"

Each person should have at least 1500 calories per day, in a survival situation, a person might need more then that. So how much of a factor is this on your decisions? Are you buying high calorie foods? In the foods you are buying, do the calories come from sugars, carbs or meats - or a mixture of both?

[Per Ardua]

All very good questions. It is important to look the overall nutritional value of the food. Once must have enough calories, but one must also balance the protein, carbs, minerals, vitamins, etc.

For example, if you are stuck in a shelter for two months with little exercise you can lower your protein intake. If you are active, a higher protein intake is called for. If your protein intake is higher, be sure to also increase B6 in order that the protein can be processed. If the protein comes from plants, be sure the mix of plants provide a complete protein (animal protein is already complete).

I think a really good approach is to try and narrow the gap between what you eat now and what you would eat if surviving off long-term food storage. Besides being less of a shock to your body (since your diet won't be changing as dramatically) it gives you the chance to tune your long-term food storage under conditions that are 'friendly'.

-Per.

[Ammo]

Good advice, about the B6.
Actually, to me at least, a good supply of QUALITY supplements, will be very important.