We don't have control over circumstances in our lives, but we do have full control over our responses to any given circumstance.
When it comes to potential disasters in life, many of us would rather not think about them.
However, you never know if you'll end up in one of these situations. As such, it's important to be prepared. Rather than burying our heads in the ground, let's explore how we can come out of these situations alive and well.
How To Survive A Disaster
To be able to survive means a lot! Catastrophic events may painstakingly strike us in one blow. Nevertheless, you should have everything you need to prolong the agony at least. Then, hopefully, bury that agony later on.
Natural disasters and weather emergencies can indeed strike at any time, creating a shortage of basic supplies. Outdoor adventures begin in fun ways, but they can have unforeseen consequences leaving you stranded in harsh conditions. In both cases, they had emergency preparedness food on hand, such as emergency food bars can support you until help arrives.
Sure…you can go quite a while without food, but at some point, you need to replace the calories you expend to avoid starvation. You can even go severely calorie negative for weeks (or even months), but eventually, math wins (calories in vs. calories out), and you'll need to find a balance.
One of the easiest ways to secure food supply in trouble strikes is to purchase emergency food bars. The compact size of the bars and the fact that they can be purchased anywhere means that these bars are an intelligent and economical way to begin your survival food supply.
Moreover, these bars offer a shelf life of approximately five years. It can be able to withstand extremes of heat and cold. This means that they can be tucked away in the car without worrying that they will deteriorate during the summer or winter.
Reasons to Pack Survival Food Bars
From savory to sweet, food bars provide the nutrients, comfort, and quick energy you need while you're on the go. As such, this is an ideal starter meal in a disaster.
- Quick energy. Many food bars contain nuts and protein, which will provide a much-needed boost of energy for long hikes or bicycle rides. Any energy food bars on this page will give you enough quick energy to get out of dodge.
- Portable nutrition. Whether you need breakfast on the go or a boost to get on with a strenuous hike, food bars are an excellent consideration for your food storage system or your bugout bag. Food bars require no preparation! No need to heat to eat. Unwrap the nutrition now!
- Kids love them. Kids love just about any kind of food bar because it tastes like a candy bar or cookie. This is a morale booster for your little ones. Food bars are easy to pack in times of crisis.
Best 10 Emergency Food Bars
1. Mayday Food Bars
The Mayday emergency food ration bars are manufactured by Mayday Industries. This is an emergency preparedness supply company that has been around for years. Mayday food bars come in several sizes for different purposes, but all have the same ingredients, taste, and texture.
In addition, the 1200 calorie Mayday food ration bars are small and are packaged to be placed into small emergency kits and 72-hour kits. Two bars provide enough calories and nutrition for a grown man under medium stress and physical exertion for one day.
Mayday calorie bars come in 400, 1200, 2400, and 3600 calories bars. Many companies and schools choose to order and store these bars. They use it if there is a lockdown that prevents employees, students, and teachers from leaving the premises.
Furthermore, these food bars are packed with incredible calories and nutrients in a very small place.
Mayday food bars are an important part of emergency preparedness. It bridges the gap between when a disaster strikes and when things settle down enough to prepare long-term food storage.
2. Clif Bars
Popular with cyclists, Cliff bars are made with organic ingredients. In addition, Clif bars are a good source of protein and fiber with no artificial sweeteners or preservatives. Best of all, you'll get 23 vitamins and minerals. Cliff bars were made to meet the high energy demands of athletes and active people.
The Clif Bar is high in calories and carbohydrates. These calories may lead to weight gain for someone trying to lose weight unless the product is used as a meal replacement bar.
Furthermore, the high carbohydrate levels may cause a spike in glucose and a huge dip, causing increased hunger.
Ingredients:
The Ingredients in the Clif Bars will vary based on the flavor of the bar. The organic ingredients used include rolled oats, roasted soybeans, and organic honey. Lastly, all bars have high carbohydrates contents.
3. Epic Bars
On the other hand, the EPIC bar is a 100% grass-fed animal-based protein bar designed as nature intended. It tastes more like beef jerky. It is Nutritious, Gluten Free, Soy Free, and Dairy Free.
These bars are packed with nutrient-dense protein for greater satiety. Convenient EPIC Bars are perfect for on the go. Whether after working out or when hiking, simply pull out an EPIC Bar and fulfill your hunger.
In addition, EPIC Bar is perfectly packaged and packed with nutrients. They come in three flavors: lamb currant-mint, turkey almond cranberry, and bison bacon cranberry.
Since EPIC is 100% animal-based whole protein, it is minimally processed and contains all essential amino acids. Additionally, EPIC bars are much easier for your body to digest when compared to other bars. This results in superior protein utilization.
Other protein bars typically source either soy or whey protein isolates. These highly processed ingredients undergo toxic chemical treatments to create a protein source that is difficult for your body to recognize.
Additionally, other bars have to rely on syrups and sweeteners to counterbalance the chalky flavor of protein powders. This results in an unavoidable and often unfavorable high sugar/carbohydrate load seen in every other protein bar on the market.
4. Millennium Energy Bars
Meanwhile, these 400-calorie food bars could be the most important source of energy you'll have in an emergency.
Millennium Energy Bars are U.S. Coast Guard approved and have a five-year shelf life, which is longer than its leading competitor, with only a three-year shelf life. Each bar provides important portion control for groups or individuals in an extended emergency.
In an emergency, each person should eat a minimum of 800 calories a day (2 400-calorie bars). Additional food provides greater energy for each person.
Nutrition Facts:
Serving Size 1 Bar (84g) Servings per Container - 1 Amount per serving Calories 400 Calories from Fat 160 % Daily Value* Total Fat 18g 28% Saturated Fat 6g 32%, Trans. Fat 3.5g Cholesterol 0mg 0% Sodium 15mg 1% Total Carbohydrates 52 g 17% Dietary Fiber less than 1g 2% Sugars 33g Protein 8g *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Vitamin A 4% Vitamin C 15% Thiamin 10% Riboflavin 20% Calcium 4% Iron 6% Niacin 15%
5. Pemmican Bars
The Pemmican bars are concentrated food bars. It provides quick energy, and it does not have any trans fat. Also, it includes all eight essential amino acids. It is high in fiber and has been voted as the best energy bar.
The Pemmican bars are meatless. It contains natural ingredients to make a complete protein.
Moreover, this product will keep you alive. It has a significant calorie count and a fairly high carb/protein ratio for energy. Oddly nice, mild taste; reminiscent of fruit cake which contains 10g (40% daily) of fiber!
It will power through your digestive system with the relentless force of a fruit-n'-nut-flavored glacier. Do you know that saying about the bear doing something in the woods? That'll be you. Not a bad thing. Just keep it in mind.
Ingredients:
Malted Corn and Barley, Nonfat Milk, Honey, Wheat Germ, Raisins, Soy Flour, Walnuts, Soy Oil, Wheat Bran, Pecans, Grape Juice.
6. Power Bars
When you're a serious athlete competing at the highest levels of exercise intensity and duration, fueling up right can make a huge impact on how you feel and perform.
The PowerBar Performance Energy Bars provide a dual source of energy blend. It has a 2:1 glucose to fructose blend to deliver 20–50% more energy to muscles than glucose alone.
An energy bar needs to be easy to eat. The Powerbar is the easiest bar to eat. It is soft, chewy, and easy to bite into. The size is just right, the wrapper peel back easily, and the bar isn't going to crumble or break into pieces (which could end up on the trail rather than in your mouth.)
Finally, an energy bar should not be messy. Some bars have a chocolate coating, or they have some icing on top. Both of those are terrible ideas because that coating melts while you are racing, leaving a sticky mess all over your face, hands, and jersey pockets.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories 240, Fat 3.5g, Sodium 200mg, Potassium 105mg, Total Carbs 45g, Fiber 1g, Sugars 25g, Protein 8g
7. The Survival Tabs
New to the market, The Survival Tabs are like food bars in little bite-sized nuggets. They won't satiate your appetite because they are only 20 calories each. They have no bulking fiber, but they will help ensure you get the vitamins you need in a crisis where the food you're eating is less nutritious than what you'd have in a non-emergency situation.
One portable, personal pouch of the Survival Tabs will sustain a person for a day. You're getting the nutritional equivalent of a 2000-calorie diet without getting the calories. Three packets, representing three meals, have a total of around 240 calories -- which is only 10% of the calories you need in a day.
Certainly, this is better than starving. Think of them more like survival vitamins and something tasty to go with your rice and beans. They are like little butterscotch.
Ingredients:
Non-fat dry milk solids, sucrose, vegetable oils (including sunflower and safflower oil), natural and artificial flavors, sodium ascorbate, vitamin E acetate, niacinamide, ferrous fumarate, zinc gluconate, calcium pantothenate, potassium chloride, manganese gluconate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, thiamine hydrochloride, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D3, folic acid, potassium iodide, cyanocobalamin.
8. Raw Revolution Bars
The Raw revolution bars have crazy flavors! It includes the four most popular moist and delicious flavors: Spirulina Dream, Chocolate Coconut Bliss, Chocolate Crave, and Almond Butter Cup.
Equally as important as taste is nutrition. And these bars don't skimp on that either! Each bar contains healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and nutrients. What you won't find is cholesterol, trans fats, or any sodium. They are also a great source of calories and carbs, important for distance runners and other athletes. What better way to fuel/refuel than grab a snack made from fresh fruits, seeds, and nuts?
Add to that is this product is packed with organic superfoods in every bite. It is high in protein and fiber but low in sugar. This is a great nutrition bar that's vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO. Indeed, this is a high-quality plant-based nutrition food bar.
This one contains raw organic ingredients for a delicious yet healthy treat. Finally, it does not contain any refined sugars, no trans fats, or hydrogenated oils.
9. Soldier Fuel Bars
Designed to fuel the world's most elite warrior-athletes, SOLDIER FUEL energy bars "pack a wallop of balanced nutrition and taste good too" (Popular Science magazine).
The Soldier Fuel bar beat Balance Bar, Snickers Marathon, and PowerBar Triple Threat in a taste test conducted by the Washington Post. And N.Y. Daily News health editor credits SOLDIER FUEL with making him 20% faster on his daily runs.
Engineered to provide Steady Energy with no spike and no crash, SOLDIER FUEL is featured in the official U.S. Special Operations Forces Nutrition Guide. And now it's available to you.
Use care when storing Soldier Fuel bars in-vehicle emergency kits, as higher cab temperatures in vehicles during the summer will decrease the bar's shelf life. This will cause it to melt inside of the wrapper due to the high amount of corn syrup in the bar's ingredients.
Ingredients:
Steady Energy™ blend (Glucose syrup (Corn), Soy protein isolate, Fructose, Maltodextrin), Fractionated palm oil, Unsweetened chocolate, Rice flour, Dextrose, Glycerine, Cocoa (processed with alkali), Whey protein concentrate, Dates, Raisins, Barley malt extract, Soy Lecithin, Natural flavor, Rice Bran, Ascorbic acid, D-Alpha tocopherol acetate, Niacinamide, Zinc oxide, Tocopherols to protect flavor, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic acid, Vitamin B12.
Allergy Information: manufactured on equipment that processes peanuts, tree nuts, egg, wheat, and sesame seeds. Contains milk, soybeans.
10. KIND Nut & Spice Bars
The KIND Nut & Spice bars are all-natural, gluten-free flavors with high fiber, protein, and only 5 g of sugar or less. It is low in sodium, non-GMO, no trans fat or cholesterol.
Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt is a sweet and salty blend of almonds, peanuts, and walnuts drizzled in chocolate with a touch of sea salt.
Also, Kind bars offer some alternatives. They are sweet but have bits of real fruit and nuts and are generally a little healthier.
Words like "ginger," "chili," and "Madagascar vanilla" seemed the solution to the boring, same-old bar. Something different, unusual, and not just sugary. Most of them even say that they contain only 4 of 5 grams of sugar.
Ingredients:
Almonds, dark chocolate flavored coating (palm kernel oil, chicory root fiber, sugar, cocoa powder, soy lecithin, natural flavor, salt), peanuts, chicory root fiber, honey, walnuts, glucose syrup, rice flour, unsweetened chocolate, sea salt, soy lecithin, sugar.
11. Larabar
Another must-buy food bar is the Larabar. This one includes a short ingredient list from raw foods. Moreover, the Larabar does not contain dairy, gluten, or soy.
You can carry it in your pocket and eat anywhere you go since it does not have a coating that melts. It does not crumble, and it is easy to chew and break.
The Larabar has excellent taste, which many people will love. They have different flavors, which are good for nut lovers, chocolate lovers, and fruit lovers.
Ingredients:
Peanuts, Dates, Chocolate chips (Semi-sweet, which contains sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, and vanilla) plus sea salt.
12. Solo Low Glycemic Nutrition Bar
Another excellent food bar is the Solo Low Glycemic Nutrition Bar. This food bar tastes great! Athletes and non-athletes love eating it.
It contains various flavors such as dark chocolate almond, dark chocolate coconut mint, dark chocolate mandarin, lemon lift, mocha fudge, peanut caramel sea salt, peanut powder, pineapple coconut, and white chocolate cherry.
With this bar, it can slowly burn the carbs in the body. It contains protein plus essential vitamins, and minerals. Instead of committing yourself to a high sugar diet, this bar will surely sustain the energy that the body needs.
Ingredients
Solo Gi Protein Blend, Chocolate coating, almond butter, fructose, fruit puree blend, chocolate cookies, cocoa powder, water, Solo Gi fiber blend, vitamin and mineral blend, Vitamin E acetate, cocoa powder, Vitamin B3, Zinc oxide, and natural flavors.
13. barkTHINS
If you are a chocolate lover, the barkTHINS food bar is indeed a must-try! This bar has quinoa and blueberries, which are wrapped in dark chocolate. You can eat this bar anytime from breakfast to dinner.
One serving of this bar contains 10% of recommended iron in the body. This brings goodness anytime, anywhere you go!
14. Earnest Eats Cran Lemon Zest Baked Bars
The Earnest Eats upgraded their products, making them on top of the pedestal. They have various flavors to offer, which are lemon, oats, cranberries, and almond butter.
This is a soft bar that contains all the nutrition of a granola bar. Meanwhile, it tastes like a sweet and buttery cookie you'll always love to have.
15. Thunderbird Cashew + Fig +Carrot Real Food Bar
Eating this bar will make you feel like you're eating a carrot cake. This is so delicious, and this will make you eat it at any time of the day.
It contains 150 calories and 3 grams of fat only. This can be bought in various flavors like cashews, figs, and carrots.
16. Mamma Chia-Chia Granola Clusters
The Mamma Chia offers tasty bars which are plant-based protein. It is packed in a convenient serving which is good for snacking at school and office.
One serving contains 10 grams of protein. Apart from organic chia seeds, the Mamma Chia contains fruits, whole grains, and pea protein.
17. Luna 5G Sugar
The Luna 5G Sugar takes it easy on the use of sugar. However, they taste so good, just like any other snack that you love. It contains almonds, cinnamon, and vanilla altogether that bursts with goodness in every bite. It will taste like a cinnamon roll which adults or children both love to have.
Furthermore, the Luna 5G sugar contains iron, vitamin D, calcium, and protein.
How to Choose the Right Type of Food Bars
Nowadays, grocery stores are filled with food bars that claim to have a complete nutrient boost. However, the bars that you love to eat might not be as beneficial as you wish them to be. For starters, it can be overwhelming to find the best types and brands of bars in the market. Knowing which one just adds calories, sugar, and fat to your diet will be challenging.
If you pick up a random bar in the market, you will find out that it has lots of ingredients that will sound like food. These bars are not meant to replace real food. But due to our busy schedules, these bars can help fill in the gaps if you will just choose wisely.
Here are the five tips that you can try to choose the right food bars for you:
Check the Ingredients
Check the ingredients of the food bars and see if you can pronounce them. If it sounds foreign to you, then you better skip it. Manufacturers like the idea of adding extra sugar, fat, and some chemicals to their products. With this, they can make it look and sound tasty or healthy. But in reality, these are just marketing strategies.
Think of the Reason Why you are Eating It
Are you taking the food bars to replace a meal? Or are you taking it to supplement a diet? This is an essential part because some bars contain more protein. Meanwhile, other products have more antioxidants to boost the performance of the consumer.
If you wish to take the food bars as a meal replacement, opt for products with at least 10 grams of protein and 300 calories for each bar. With this, you can have ample calories, protein, and carbohydrates to get going throughout the day.
Concentrate on Sugars and Fats
Many of the food bars nowadays are high in sugar and fat. If you are taking it to replace a meal, it should contain more than 4 grams of sugar and 4 grams of saturated fat in each bar.
Meanwhile, if you are taking the bar as a snack, make sure to choose bars with not more than 2 grams of sugar and 2 grams of fat for each bar.
These figures are important to remember. Sugar and fat like in honey, molasses, and cane juice can increase the risk of inflammation in the body. This will make you prone to the development of diabetes, heart diseases, and arthritis.
Choose Bars with Fiber
Choose bars that have at least 2 to 3 grams of dietary fiber for each bar. But be careful because some products might include chicory root or other artificial fiber. As such, look for food bars that contain fiber from fruits and vegetables. With this, you are sure that your body can have the right amount of nutrition that it needs.
Choose Protein
Some food bars nowadays claim to enhance one's performance since they offer a significant amount of protein. For example, some can have as much as 20 grams of protein for each bar.
However, if you take the bar as a meal replacement, 10 grams of protein is enough for your body. Meanwhile, if you are eating it as a supplement to a snack, 5 grams is enough.
Protein is needed to repair the muscles but not as much as many people think. The myth that having more protein in the body is better is not necessarily true. Our body can store only so much protein. Once it gets that amount, the rest will be eliminated.
Conclusion
In sum, the food bars are not meant to replace a meal. Our body needs vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, grains, and leans to create its natural form. But if you are looking for a food product to fill the gap, the food bars can help meet that need.
Make sure to choose bars with simple ingredients. Always read the label before you buy the food bars. Eat these bars with a healthy diet. With this, you can keep going for all the activities you have for the day.
