Wednesday, 27 January 2016

The Shelf Stable Meals Buying Guide

By Ryan Adams


The need to store food for emergencies or any other kind of crisis is an important consideration across the world. It is prudent to have something prepared in case of an emergency, particularly in the areas where calamities are known to strike without warning. With the global warming and changing climatic condition, predicting storms, frost, ice conditions, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural calamities have become more difficult than before. The wildfire and other man-made disasters also call for early preparedness. Shelf stable meals must be the priority whenever you think of preparing any kind of a disaster.

When the unthinkable happens, your only refuge is a continuous supply of water and food. It is the only way to survive many days before rescue comes knocking. This is not news to those who have found themselves in the middle of storms and earthquakes. People survive the worst of nature only to end up dying as a result of hunger.

Cleanliness is greatly required before preparing each meal. Before opening the cans or jars, it is advisable to clean it first with water before opening. Storing the goods on a shelf will surely attract some dust. Washing your hands and cooking utensils are appropriate, too. Cleanliness will surely aid in the eradication of dangerous bacteria.

The date of expiry must be considered. It is important that the food you buy has the dates of manufacturing and that of expiry are clearly indicated. The expired or spoilt food can cause food poisoning and illness. Closely related to the expiry date is the ideal condition to store the food. When the conditions are not right, the food may spoil even before the actual expiry date.

Some shelf stable foods have been wrapped with plastic which is dangerous. Some household, when heating meal ignores the plastic which the food is being wrapped. This is extremely hazardous because plastics have deadly chemicals which are unsafe for the body of a human being. It is important to check every product before heating it to avoid life-threatening illnesses.

They are available in cans, pouches, boxes and cans. There are hundreds of brands available and most can be found on the supermarket shelves. In most cases, they can be stored for several months in the pantry. However, you must keep checking the expiry date so that it is replaced at the right time. If you are working late or want something for quick lunch, this is the solution.

Even though most of the ready snacks are designed to be heated in the microwave, not all require heating or refrigeration. Each of the brands has its own preparation instructions and the only way to get the best results is by following the manufacturer's instructions. In addition to this, it is important to choose a meal that has half of the content as non-starchy vegetables as this is healthier.

Protein like lean meat, fish, or eggs should occupy one-quarter while starchy vegetables, rice or pasta take the other quarter. There are several unique ideas that can be used to come up with a good formulation including those that favor the vegetarians. Whichever the formulation, ensure that it is healthy.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment