The 10 Pantry Items You’d Want During an Emergency Quarantine
With rising pandemic fears in the US and across the world, we created this list with some of the pantry essentials you might want to store.
The emergence of new infections and viruses can sometimes promote governments to consider quarantines. What is a quarantine? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, quarantine is “a restraint upon the activities or communication of persons or the transport of goods designed to prevent the spread of disease or pests.”
So far, the largest quarantine in history happened in January, 2020 when the Chinese government blocked most travel into and out of the city of Wuhan at the center of the Covid-19 outbreak. 11 million people were encouraged (and at some times forced) to stay in their homes with limited access to stores or outside visits.
But not only infections and viruses can lead to lengthy forced stays at home. Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods or other disasters could keep you trapped at home for several days, sometimes even without electricity. In these cases, you want to make sure you plan ahead and keep enough emergency food and water in your pantry.
10 Items to Keep on Your Emergency Pantry List:
All of these items do not require electricity to consume or make, can be easily stored and saved, and can be ordered from Amazon right now.
1. Vegetable Juice
During emergencies, you might not be able (or want) to buy fresh vegetables. Each of these canned vegetable juice cans include 2 full servings of veggies and an excellent source of antioxidant vitamins A and C. It also has no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives and Non GMO.
2. Dried Mandarin Oranges
Another great source of healthy nutrients, such as Vitamin C. These sweet dehydrated mandarin oranges are sun dried In nature, vegan and Kosher certified. You can easily store them in your pantry and eat when you crave that refreshing mandarin taste.
3. Canned Tuna
Canned tuna is an excellent source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. You can eat it on a piece of bread, mixed with corn into a salad or as is. All of these are easy options that do not require electricity or long cooking times. Tuna cans can also save for many months and sit in your pantry until you need them. There are some ecological concerns about consuming canned tuna, but this brand promises its tuna is pole and line caught in the northern part of the Pacific Ocean or off coastal New Zealand, maintaining natural populations and preserving the ecosystem.
4. Chickpea Pasta
Pasta is no doubt the easiest meal you can make using only the stove. Some might say that eating too much pasta can’t be healthy, but in case of emergency and lengthy quarantines your options might be limited. This pasta is a high protein, lower carb, gluten free alternative to traditional pasta. This pasta tastes, looks and cooks more like traditional pasta than other alternative pastas.
5. Hydration Multiplier
Water is a must in any emergency pantry and keeping hydrated, especially when leaving the house might be a problem, is super important. This product utilizes a specific ratio of potassium, sodium, and glucose to deliver water and other key nutrients directly to your bloodstream hydrating you faster and more efficiently than water alone. Their claim is that 1 packet can provide the same hydration as drinking 2-3 bottles of water, which makes it a very valuable item in your emergency pantry.
6. Beef Jerky
This is for you carnivores. Just like with fresh vegetables, in case of an emergency it might be a problem to find fresh meat as well. Especially if you are out of electricity and can’t save it without a fridge. Beef jerky can be stored for a while as long as it is packaged correctly. This one has 11g of protein and only 80 calories per serving. It is made from lean cuts of 100% premium beef, then seasoned with simple ingredients like water and salt.
7. Snack Bars
Storing snack bars in your emergency pantry is easy. They won’t take a lot of room, don’t expire for a long time and can be a healthy choice between larger meals when you are stuck at home. This Kind Bar is described as “gooey and delicious” and includes cherries, whole cashews, almonds and a drizzle of dark chocolate. It is gluten free, has no genetically engineered ingredients, 0g trans fat, and even Kosher.
8. Almond Milk Concentrate
Keeping milk in your pantry for months is obviously not a great idea, so as buying those shelf stable real milk cartons that more often than not will include many preservatives. With this easy to make almond milk concentrate you can make your own fresh almond milk when you want it. Just add water. You can keep it unopened in your pantry for 18 months. The official recipe calls for 30 seconds in a blender, but you can also mix it well in a mason jar if electricity is an issue.
9. Crackers
Bread can’t be saved for many months in your pantry, so these whole grain wheat crackers are a great substitute. The nutty, whole grain flavor makes these snack crackers the perfect cracker companion to many dips and spreads that you can keep with it in your pantry as well.
10. Instant Coffee
Can you imagine quarantine mornings at home without drinking coffee? We can’t! Coffee can keep you alert, provide important nutrients and even boost your mood. You can keep our quality instant coffee in your pantry for up to 24 months, when stored closed and in a room temperature. Your morning coffee can make or break the rest of your day, so make sure you drink a quality cup of instant joe. Waka’s instant coffee is made of 100% high quality Arabica beans instant coffee and freeze dried to perfection. Available in medium and light roasts and a decaf version.