When power outages occur due to hurricanes or other events, it's always a good idea to have some shelf-stable foods available as you can see in this article from the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.
Healthy Meals During a Hurricane
By Sara Clement, RD, LDN
September in North Carolina is the peak of hurricane season. Use these five tips to guarantee safe and healthy meals should disaster strike. Always keep in mind food safety during a disaster, especially when power outages are widespread.
1. Healthy proteins: Canned chicken, tuna, salmon, beans, nut butters, and nuts are all shelf-stable food items that are full of protein. They can be added to quick soups, sautés, or eaten directly from packaging.
2. Fruits & vegetables: Keep shelf-stable produce items such as potatoes, apples, oranges, bananas, sweet potatoes, and onions. Having canned fruits packed in 100% juice and vegetables with no salt added are excellent staples. Canned vegetables can be heated quickly over any heat source or consumed without heating. Look for pop top cans if you will not have access to a can opener. Try dried fruits and vegetables, in small quantities, for a delicious snack.
3. Healthy snacks: Rice cakes with nut butter, granola bars, whole wheat crackers, high fiber/low sugar cereals. Having high fiber snacks will help keep you full longer, pair them with a protein for a balanced snack or meal.
4. Make one pot meals from all shelf stable foods: Add canned vegetables, beans, chicken, spices, stock or water and simmer until heated throughout. Add in rice or pasta for a more filling meal.
5. Hydration: Water is essential for keeping hydrated, especially during summer days. To add flavor, drop in fruit or a splash of juice.
Following is a recipe for Taco Soup that you can make using all shelf stable foods provided by the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.
Healthy Recipe Videos
The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina has put together a series of healthy recipe videos that are available to watch
on YouTube.com HERE. About the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina: The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina is a nonprofit organization that has provided food for people at risk of hunger in 34 counties in central and eastern North Carolina for 40 years. The Food Bank serves a network of more than 900 partner agencies such as soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and programs for children and adults through warehouses in Durham, Greenville, New Bern, Raleigh, the Sandhills (Southern Pines), and Wilmington.
The Food Bank not only feeds those who are hungry; but also works to benefit community health. That’s why, in 2016, the Food Bank launched a
Community Health & Engagement Department. With two nutritionists on staff, the Food Bank shares recipes, healthy tips, and other resources for partner agencies and neighbors in need. The on-site teaching kitchen in Raleigh offers cooking demonstrations and nutrition education to highlight easy, quick, and low-cost recipes using healthful foods like whole grains, fresh produce, low fat dairy, and lean meats.
Monthly Articles from the Food Bank
The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina shares regular articles about nutrition and health education so we know what to look for when we head to the grocery store and plan our healthy meals.
