Cast Iron Keto's Emergency Preparedness Guide

In the face of global crises, such as illness outbreaks and natural disasters, it's more crucial than ever to be prepared for emergencies. We recognize the need for a specialized emergency preparedness guide that caters to those following a keto diet.

This guide aims to provide valuable insights and recommendations on how to prepare for emergencies while maintaining your dietary preferences. We have curated a list of shelf-stable keto foods, meal-prep ideas, health and safety essentials, and long-term preparedness solutions to help you stay safe and nourished during challenging times.

Emergency Preparedness Keto | photo of flooded downtown streets

Jump to:

Shelf-stable keto foods for emergency preparedness
Prepare quick grab-and-go meals
Health and safety essentials for emergency situations
Tips for long-term storage
How to make an emergency communication plan?
Conclusion

Shelf-stable keto foods for emergency preparedness

Get some keto survival food that will help you during an emergency. These foods are tasty and last a long time - even longer than your favorite superhero movies! Here's our list of keto emergency food:

Bone broths and stocks: These are nutrient-rich and great for sipping or making soups during emergencies. Consider brands such as Pacific Foods, which offer keto-friendly options.
Canned meats: Store protein-rich options like tuna, salmon, chicken, anchovies, and sardines in your pantry. Choose those sustainably sourced and packed in water or oils like olive oil.
Frozen meats: Stock up on frozen meats, either store-bought or self-frozen. Ensure they're in vacuum-sealed or freezer-safe bags to stay fresh.
Salsa and canned tomatoes: These ingredients boost the flavor of emergency meals. They're handy to have in your pantry.
Frozen berries: Berries like blueberries and raspberries fit well with keto diets. Use them in dishes or eat them as a healthy snack.
Freeze-dried veggies: Snack on dried ketogenic survival food like zucchini chips for a tasty, crunchy bite.
Keto soups and pasta: Have some keto-friendly soups and pasta, such as Shirataki noodles, on hand for fast meals.
Keto snacks: Fill your pantry with keto non-perishable food like Moon Cheese, beef jerky, and keto cookies to keep hunger at bay during emergencies.

With a bit of planning and stocking up on these keto friendly emergency food supplies, you'll be well-equipped to stay on track with your keto diet, even during emergencies.

Prepare quick grab-and-go meals

In times of urgency, having ready-to-eat meals can be a game-changer. Here's how to safely prepare and store grab-and-go dishes:

Always cook before freezing: It's essential to cook all fresh ingredients to their recommended temperatures for safety. Use a food thermometer to ensure meats (such as chicken, beef, and fish) and casseroles reach the correct internal temperature.
Store in freezer-friendly containers: Store your premade keto survival food in freezer-friendly containers. Vacuum-sealed bags, freezer-safe plastic bags, or silicone bags are great choices to preserve the freshness of your emergency prep food.
Heat correctly: Before diving into your keto friendly survival food, make sure it's reheated to the right temperatures to ensure safety and taste.

Health and safety essentials for emergency situations

In emergency situations, safeguarding your health and well-being is paramount. Certain essentials can make a significant difference during these times. Here's a list of vital health and safety items to have in your emergency kit:

Masks: Stock up on N95 and cloth masks for protection in events like disease outbreaks or when faced with poor air quality. For situations involving harmful chemicals, think about getting respirators or gas masks.
Gloves: Maintain a set of medical-grade gloves for cleanliness and protection.
Hand sanitizers and wipes: Opt for natural sanitizers from brands like Everyone, EO, or Dr. Bronners. You can also craft your own using essential oils and rubbing alcohol. For ease, think about adding sanitizer wipes.
Feminine hygiene: Menstrual cups are eco-friendly and can last between 2 to 4 years. As a backup, stock organic sanitary pads.
Puppy pads: In emergencies where it's unsafe to take your dog out, puppy pads come in handy.
Disinfectants: Use unscented bleach for cleaning, following advised measurements. Hydrogen peroxide, a potent disinfectant, is also useful for various sanitation needs.
Medications: Ensure a consistent supply of vital prescription medications, considering both human and pet needs.
Communication devices: Maintain charged cell phones or battery-operated radios in your emergency kit to stay updated and reach out to loved ones when necessary.
Food: Your food stash should include non-perishable items such as rice, low carb canned food, and freeze-dried dishes. For those on a keto diet, consider specialty freeze-dried keto dishes and nut-based products.
Water: Secure a sufficient amount of potable water. While a three-day supply per individual is a basic guideline, storing more is smarter in case of prolonged emergencies.
Batteries: Spare batteries are essential for devices like flashlights and radios, ensuring you remain connected and have light when there's a power failure.
Flashlight: Prioritize LED flashlights in your kit due to their durability and energy efficiency.
Clothing: Include extra attire, taking into account the typical weather of your locale. Key items encompass jackets, gloves, hats, and durable shoes.

Tips for long-term storage

Though we don't necessarily identify as "preppers," we believe in the importance of being ready for emergencies. Maybe it's due to our founder's background in Emergency Management, their commitment to the Eagle Scout motto of #BePrepared, or living in a region susceptible to significant earthquakes. Whatever the reason, preparedness is essential. A great starting point for building an emergency kit and family plan is Ready.gov.

We've also added a few items to enhance our state of readiness:

Cooking solutions

Consider a versatile cooking method that functions even if utilities are unavailable. Consider investing in a BioLite—a device that cooks using organic materials like sticks, leaves, and bark as fuel. As a bonus, it can charge USB devices.

Long-term food storage

Opt for a Gluten-Free Emergency Food Bucket from NuManna, which is a non-GMO, soy-free, MSG-free, Aspartame-free, and HFCS-free option.
For those inclined toward low-carb survival food, consider investing in a freeze-dryer. Perfect for creating long-term food storage, this method is ideal for preserving both taste and 97% of food's vitamins and minerals. Brands like Harvest Right offer compact models suitable even for kitchen counters.

Water filtration & storage

A clean water source is paramount. Consider investing in a Lifestraw filtration system, like their individual straws and gravity bag system.
If space isn't a constraint, store a month's worth of water using WaterBricks. For daily drinking, we trust the under-sink system from Clearly Filtered. No longer do we grapple with unpleasant tap water taste, and the installation is simple and portable.
Note: While FEMA recommends a 3-day water supply per person, experts suggest planning for extended disruptions, especially depending on your locality and potential disasters.

Enhanced first-aid

Alongside a standard first-aid kit, we've integrated a Quikclot + Tourniquet pack. This addition proves invaluable for traumas and outdoor adventures.

Crafting a safety plan

Emotionally, disasters can be taxing. Engage with your family, voice your worries, and formulate a strategy. Different scenarios require unique responses. Identify potential threats in your area and plan accordingly. Whether you're at home or the office, strategizing for sudden evacuations due to weather events, house fires, or chemical accidents is pivotal.

How to make an emergency communication plan?

In emergencies, a reliable communication strategy can be the lifeline that ensures the safety and connectivity of your family. To craft an effective plan, follow these steps:

Compile vital contact information: Maintain a list of essential contacts, which includes family, friends, and local emergency services. Periodically review and refresh this list, ensuring that your chosen communication methods remain current.
Delegate roles & responsibilities: Assign specific tasks to each family member, such as reaching out to other relatives, collecting emergency kits, or attending to pets. It's crucial that every member understands their role and the overall plan in-depth.
Plan your evacuation route: Understand the evacuation paths in your locality and incorporate maps into your emergency provisions. Being adept at swiftly and safely evacuating, if needed, is of paramount importance.
Conduct regular drills: Periodically simulate emergency situations with your family to practice and refine your communication strategy. Design various scenarios to evaluate the efficiency of your approach in different contexts.
Stay updated: Keep abreast of potential threats and emergency situations pertinent to your area. Regularly tune into local news and official bulletins from emergency services. Also, consider subscribing to alerts from local community apps or government websites.
Prepare backup power solutions: Equip yourself with alternate power sources like portable or solar chargers to ensure that communication tools remain functional even during power disruptions. Also, stock up on spare batteries for pivotal devices such as flashlights and radios.
Disseminate the plan: Circulate the communication strategy amongst all family members, discussing it comprehensively. It's vital that everyone knows the plan's whereabouts and is conversant with its directives.

Being prepared isn't just about having the right supplies, but also about ensuring everyone knows the protocol when adversity strikes.

Conclusion

There you go - your comprehensive Emergency Preparedness Guide! Prioritize your health and well-being by adding these low-carb essentials to your emergency kit. This ensures that even in challenging situations, your dietary choices remain uncompromised.

Begin assembling those nutrient-rich cans, jars, and packages, and tackle emergency preparedness like an expert. With thoughtful planning and a delicious arsenal at your disposal, you'll stand strong against any adversity. Stay keto-strong and keto-ready, savoring each flavorful moment!

Comments

Bill says

March 14, 2020 at 3:47 pm

Thank you very helpful & thoughtful

- Donna K says
  
  March 20, 2020 at 10:17 am
  
  COMMON SENSE! Keep a good supply of it on hand! I work in the medical field. When everything is closing down, this is meant for you to self-quarantine. Routine doctor, dental visits should be cancelled. Routine blood work is non-essential. Stay home!! The only people out there should be those that are seriously ill or injured and need medical attention.