Read those food labels!

Like many here I rely on canned vegetables for a good portion of my 30 day emergency supplies. To check the nutritional value I did a comparison of the labels of the various veggies that I've got stored. The results are shown below. They are generic-type (Western Family, etc) 15 oz. cans, and the numbers shown are the totals per can . From left to right is the name, calories, daily percentages of sodium, potassium, carbohydrates, and fiber, grams of protein, and the daily percentages of vitamins A & C. (I can't fit calcium, iron and folic acid on this page)

* indicates low-salt variety.

Spinach 135 24% 18% 6% 36% 15g 510% 75%
Sauerkrt 70 112% 28% 0% 56% 0g 0% 112%
Carrots 105 53% 7% 11% 28% 0g 525% 0%
Corn* 280 4% 14% 21% 28% 2g 0% 21%
Asprgus 70 53% 14% 4% 14% 2g 21% 88%
Potatoes 275 35% 25% 20% 28% 2g 10% 50%
Greenbns 70 56% 14% 4% 28% 1g 21% 14%
Grenbns* 70 4% 4% 4% 28% 0g 14% 21%

It's pretty hard to read (sorry!) but I was able to draw some conclusions. My favorites, the greenbeans, are practically worthless, and I'll be replacing most of them in my stash. Fortunately I also like spinach and potatoes. I'll also be rotating out the regular style in favor of the low-sodium when available. And finally, a bottle of multivitamins appears to be a necessity.

How many servings per can?

That's not too surprising. Fruits and vegetables are great in the modern world because they don't provide the same amount of calories per serving. Lets face it a lot of Americans are fat and can stand to eat foods that don't contain a lot of calories. Canned foods are in a way worse because so much of the weight and volume is water. Survival situation food essentials are fats, protein, and carbohydrates. There was something I read about survival cooking (and I really wish I could find the site again). One of the things that was mentions was the situation of a soldier evading in enemy territory. If forced to steal food from a house avoid canned vegetables and go after fat (bacon grease, crisco, etc.) first, then things like beans, then sugar because they have high calorie to weight ratios. It was an excellent way to make the point of what makes a good survival food, as I mentioned I really wish I could find the site again.

I don't have a lot in the way of survival food supplies outside of my winter car kit because I live in the dorms. But canned meat or summer sausage, olive oil or crisco, beans, brown sugar, and because I get bored with food a well stocked spice rack would be at the top of my list. As you pointed out quantitatively with your figures, canned veggies just don't cut it.

especialy soup for expensive water.

It varied widely so I simply totaled the figures for the entire can. I thought it would make for a better side-by-side comparison that way, especially since all of the cans are the 14 or 15 oz. size.

If I were on the move I'd agree with that. I did not make it clear that this is for a long-term shelter in place situation. I also keep Spam, corn beef hash, canned chile, canned tuna in oil, and beef stew in my stock, So I've got the fats covered. But 30+ days of living solely on that stuff is going to make me wish the quake had got me <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

Not all of the canned veggies are entirely worthless; the spinach in particular seems to provide some worthwhile nutrition as long as you eat enough of it. And the fact that so much of it is water doesn't bother me. If water is scarce it could actually be a plus provided I can find some more low-sodium varieties.

Gotcha, some people don't get that about storing food. 30 days on green beans (also a favorite of mine) and tomatoes and you'll be one hungry fellow especially if you're doing hard work. On the other hand, 30 days of canned meat and you'll be stopped up worse then eating straight MRE's and that's a pain all its own.

In Owen Wister's "Virginian" he talks about carrying canned tomatoes on a ride where he knows the creek is dry and he won't have any water. Kind of a got to judge what you'll need by the situation.

You know that brings up a good point. Do MRE's "stop" you up? Yes the main meals are high in protien and carbs, but a lot of the side dishes are rice and such. I'm sure the digestive tract has been thought of by the pentagon. At least I would hope so...has anyone else thought of these things???

Heh heh, you've apparently never eaten an MRE. They sure do stop you up. I strongly suggest anyone storing them for an emergency eat them for a day. I don't want to scare anyone away from them as a survival food. They're balanced meals with plenty of calories that last a loooong time. Plus they taste good the new ones have all kinds of goodies in them. The hot beverage bag is one of the newest. But they can do funky things to your digestion so its a good idea to try before you need them.

People who have a bit of land might also consider learning how to vegetable garden and put food up. It would be of higher nutrition, have less additives, less salt, and still provide fiber (which isn't exciting, but you still need it).

And it probably isn't likely, but who knows? Maybe the dire situation will take place when the food is still in the garden, and you can eat it fresh!

You might also consider keeping a few chickens. Eggs are a high-quality protein, and they are often laid daily. Allowed to range through the yard, they will also find some food for themselves, making eggs out of grass and bugs.

Sue

Not to mention the occasional chicken dinner! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />