Posted on 10/11/2021 7:15:54 PM PDT by Roman_War_Criminal
Calories are an important part of your daily life. Your body needs calories just to operate, with even the most basic functions of your organs, such as the beating of your heart, consuming calories.
But how many calories you need in a day to survive is different from how many calories you usually eat on a day-to-day basis. That’s because, in a survival situation, your priority is staying alive until you can better your circumstances and eat more enjoyable foods. Until then, you may not get all the nutrients your body needs to stay in top shape.
Determining the minimum calories needed to survive isn’t an exact science due to factors like age, sex and weight. However, it’s possible to get close to an ideal range that you can aim for in an SHTF scenario.
Read on to learn more about the minimum calories needed for survival. (h/t to Survivopedia.com)
Minimum calories needed for survival Surviving on very few calories for a brief period is possible, but it’s not exactly sustainable. For instance, eating fewer than 1,000 calories per day is said to have the same effect physiologically as total starvation.
Experts recommend a much higher calorie level to maintain optimal health. Sedentary adult females should eat 1,800 calories per day, while moderately active ones should eat 2,000 calories. On the other hand, sedentary adult males need about 2,400 calories per day, while an active man needs up to 2,600 calories.
That said, you can survive on 1,200 to 1,500 calories per day if you’re in a pinch. However, this amount will only help you barely survive. If your resources are limited, your goal should be to survive on that minimum amount of calories while working towards improving your situation so that you can get back to your normal calorie intake.
It’s crucial that you don’t eat a low amount of calories for long because you’ll miss out on the health benefits of various nutrients. Vitamins, minerals, fiber and other essential nutrients are key to helping your body and brain perform at peak levels. If you don’t get enough of these nutrients, you risk experiencing health problems, including fatigue, constipation and weaker bones.
Another downside of only eating the minimum calories to survive is the impact that it has on your metabolism. According to experts, if you’re not taking in enough calories, your body will go into survival mode and slow down your metabolism in an effort to conserve energy. A slowed metabolism can lead to weight gain.
That said, spending a few days only eating the minimum calories needed to survive is unlikely to cause any long-term damage.
How to make high-calorie survival energy bars In a survival situation, eating high-calorie foods is key to maintaining your energy levels. You likely won’t be at liberty to eat your fill of enjoyable foods. Therefore, you’ll want to go for compact, high-calorie foods that get the job done. Energy bars are an example of such foods.
Energy bars are meant to keep you nourished in a pinch. Their very name indicates that they provide energy, which comes from macronutrients like carbohydrates, protein and fat. (Related: Micronutrients and macronutrients: 6 Essential nutrients and why you need each one to stay healthy.)
However, most store-bought energy bars are no better than candy bars. Despite marketing claims that they are good for you, many commercially made energy bars are chock-full of added sugar and other harmful ingredients. Therefore, you’d be better off making your own survival energy bars.
Try making some today by following this recipe for survival energy bars with rolled oats:
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups powdered milk 2 cups rolled oats 1 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup water 1/4 cup dried fruit powder 3 Tablespoons raw honey Preparation:
Combine the oats, milk and sugar in a bowl. Combine the honey, dried fruit powder and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and pour into the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms. The dough will be stiff, so use a food processor or heavy-duty mixer if needed. If the dough feels too stiff, add a teaspoon of water at a time and continue mixing until you can spread the dough evenly onto a baking sheet. Cut the dough into bars, then bake at 200 to 250 F for 1.5 hours. Store in airtight containers.
I think he weighted 860 lbs and went something like 7 months without eating. He stopped at something like 370lbs. They had to be giving him minerals with his water.
I just today ordered 144 of the 12.5oz cans of chunk chicken breast.
Was 1.66 a can
Also got 144 cans of green beans 0.50 a can
and 40lb of white rice 18.40
all with free ship from walmart.com
Not a bad deal for prepping food.... came to 333.48 total
Will make this order a few more times. I would have made a bigger order but there were quantity limits for a single order.
As an ongoing "check" to ensure things aren't breaking, I study Welsh, German and Scots Gaelic. Friday nights include 90 minutes at the roller rink. A good way to burn some calories and maintain good balance and coordination. My day job is computer science converting legacy Windows/Linux applications to run in Docker with Kubernetes/Helm and internal refactoring to microservices that are "composable" with a mix of Docker containerized apps. Nothing too strenuous :-)
My biggest concern if things get really bad is sufficient insulin for my wife and sufficient dog chow for the pups.
Applause (in awe and respect).
Take a bow, sir.
Prepper ping
Thanks for good list. I never would have found the 1.66 cans of chicken if you hadn’t put it in your post. It took a bit of searching in Walmart to find what you listed. I put it in my cart to be ordered tomorrow. I also got cans of sliced potatos and diced potatos and beef stew and ravioli. I’m trying to get as much already made canned food on the shelves for when the power goes out and we need a meal.
Bookmarking for later!
Wouldn't it make more sense to simply NOT MIX the ingredients together until you want to eat the finished bars? Wouldn't the individual ingredients keep longer is kept unmixed?
Regards,
I ordered 12 cases of the canned chicken... 144 cans.
Will order more at that price and free ship.
You can steam some rice, add some chicken, cook in a skillet with a bit of lard for oil and when you spice it up a bit it’s a great meal..and easy.
I have a toilet paper mountain in an unused bedroom... some kids will be here next week and maybe I will have them build a fort in there with the large 12 packs of TP... I have a LOT of them :-)
I was going to be really snarky and suggest that the one problem might solve the other, but...
Your dietary regime is already awesome, Myrddin. Your mental regime is awesomer.
One question, though: Your age?
Regards,
I need easy! I have to get more great value shortening too.
during February power out I made candles with it that stayed lit for 5 days straight. I have a small stack of toilet paper and paper towels in back closet but best not to let adult children see it. They think they can take it. Ha! I can’t get out to get things for myself so I have to be a bit careful with what is seen for now.
I’m going to get a bunch of canned chili and beef stew as well...a quick and simple meal...
There’s a wheat cereal called malt-o-meal that tastes great with some splenda on it...good for breakfast or as a sweet snack...should store well for years in sealed container.
Some of us have stored reserves we carry with us. It’s called FAT.
Sorry to say, I’m ready to hibernate through the turmoil.
Wake me when it’s over.
cpt_dave :" It’s not calories that count, but which foods you eat.
A vegetarian diet of 2000 calories will lead to starvation
while a 2000 calorie diet of meat and fat is plentiful and healthy."
(from the article):" It’s crucial that you don’t eat a low amount of calories for long because you’ll miss out on the health benefits of various nutrients.
Vitamins, minerals, fiber and other essential nutrients are key to helping your body and brain perform at peak levels.
If you don’t get enough of these nutrients, you risk experiencing health problems, including fatigue, constipation and weaker bones."
"Another downside of only eating the minimum calories to survive is the impact that it has on your metabolism.
According to experts, if you’re not taking in enough calories, your body will go into survival mode and slow down your metabolism
in an effort to conserve energy. A slowed metabolism can lead to weight gain.
That said, spending a few days only eating the minimum calories needed to survive is unlikely to cause any long-term damage.
Actually, a diet like that is called intermittent fasting and is supposed to be excellent for the immune system.
".. here is my Preparedness Manual I put together some time ago "
https://www.mediafire.com/file/nita0e562aytg1b/Preparedness_1j.pdf/file
" I know media Fire is not the best host but its free.
I am looking into other services, but MediaFire will have to work for now."
I’ve been on a nutritionist-guided 1,500 calorie per day diet since July. Down 40 pounds, with about 60 more to go. Eating lots of vegetables, complex carbs and lean proteins.
Bulk would be a problem I think. This stuff is for emergency use, really. Hardtack like in the old days of wooden ships and civil war would be of use.
Chunk chicken cans from Wally World/Sam’s and also their canned roast beef is good for prepping. Lasts for years past the sell-by date.
Hardtack, Civil War era, should be hard enough to break your teeth:
The Recipe
2 cups flour
1/2 tablespoon salt (optional)
1/2 to 3/4 cup water
Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Combine flour with salt in a mixing bowl. Add water and mix with hands until the dough comes together. Roll out on a table to about 1/3 inch thickness. Use a knife to cut 3×3 squares from the dough. Place on baking sheet, and use a dowel (see note above) to make 16 evenly-spaced holes in each square. Bake for at least four hours, turning over once half-way through baking. Cool on a rack in a dry room.
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