The Best Foods to Keep at Home Before the Next Power Outage

The Best Foods to Have on Hand for a Power Outage

There's always a chance that the power could go out. Electricity is the lifeblood of everything in the modern world. There are very few things we use that don't need electricity. A power outage can be a real threat to your safety, especially if you're not prepared.

When the power goes out in Sioux Falls, I am always in awe of the speed and professionalism of the folks who get the power back on. I can think of only one time a power outage lasted more than a few hours, and that was because of that ice storm in 2013. That was a huge mess to clean up, but it got fixed up right.

But South Dakota is still vulnerable to all manner of natural disasters that can take out the power. Tornadoes and thunderstorms can destroy power lines and equipment. Winter storms can break lines with wind and ice, and the snow can trap us in our homes for days at a time.

RELATED: What If a Nuclear Bomb Fell on South Dakota's Largest Cities? Here’s the Science

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What to Do Immediately When the Power Goes Out

The best way to make it through emergencies like an extended loss of power is to be ready. I love a good apocalypse/SHTF prepper discussion. I can't get enough of well-stocked bunkers and detailed plans to survive. There are whole corners of the internet where people are debating the best way to filter water found in an old water heater.

But one of the biggest lessons I've picked up is how difficult it is to prepare food without electricity and how quickly food will run out. That's why now, when the power is on, is a good time to plan for emergencies.

First, drill it into your head: leave the fridge and freezer closed as much as possible. Save what you can and eat perishable stuff first. Power out? Well, tonight you're eating cold leftovers and glasses of milk. If you can fire up the outside grill, it may be time to cook up that frozen meat before you lose it.

Having food ready for power outages is about getting food that doesn't need refrigeration or too much preparation, including cooking. The food also needs to last a long time and not make you sick. We're not talking about stocking for bugging out for a bunker and staying underground for years. These are practical ideas for the average person when the power goes out.

Best Shelf-Stable Foods for Emergency Preparedness

According to MarthaStewart.com, these are some of the best foods to keep on hand for a power outage.

MarthaStewart.com gives one of my favorite prepping tips: don't sleep on single-serving packets. "Condiments such as mustard, mayonnaise, and jam—as well as shelf-stable hummus cups and dip packets—can instantly transform desperation into dignified dining." No need to have a grandma's glove box full of packets, but when you find yourself with a few extra, put them aside, just in case.

I want to add to the list some of my own suggestions.

Peanut Butter

I'm talking about standard PB, not the fancy, organic kind that has to be kept in the fridge. Peanut butter will fill you up and deliver protein.

Ramen

Ramen noodles, or any store-bought pasta, are great to keep on hand. They’re cheap and last a long time. If you can cook, like outside on a grill or if you have a gas stove, a couple of packets of ramen can feed a group of people quickly.

How to Build an Emergency Food Supply Without Panic Buying

I don't suggest you run out and panic shop like it's a disaster movie. I mean, you can, if that's your thing, but being prepared doesn't have to be that dramatic. Try this: every time you do your shopping, grab a couple extra things. Beans and soup on sale this week? Grab a couple extra. Same for peanut butter and crackers. Make it stuff you'd eat anyway, so you can use it before it spoils. Just a few extra things on your shopping trip can give you a cushion to land on when a power outage knocks you off balance.