The Ultimate Guide To How Much A Single Person Should Stock Up For Emergencies

When you are a single person, you need to be even more prepared in case disaster strikes. Whether it is a hurricane, a flood, electricity outages or a pandemic, you can’t afford to be caught off-guard because even if you have a strong support network close by, you will still need to fend for yourself. In this article I’m going to examine how much a single person should stock up for emergencies.

Single people stocking up for an emergency should aim to store around five pounds of grains, at least 1,400 grams of protein per day, 28-42 servings of canned dairy, and 70 portions of fruits and veggies to last for two weeks. As for cooking, a 100ml bottle of olive oil should suffice for one person.

While many experts recommend stocking up on three days of food and water, it is better to be safe than sorry and to store at least two weeks of emergency supplies. Remember, that supermarkets generally have food stocks that last just a couple of days, but in the event of a major event, panic buying will reduce these supplies even further in a matter of hours. This is especially the case if you are in a crowded urban area where crowds can quickly form.

How Much A Single Person Should Stock Up For Emergencies

How Much Does A Single Person Need To Eat?

Everyone’s needs differ depending on body mass, but as a single person, you can be more vulnerable in comparison to those with larger families, so when deciding how much you need to eat you need to consider a few things:

• What kind of emergency is likely to occur in your area (extended power cuts, floods, bad weather)?
• What kind of support network you have close to you (neighbours/family members who can help if you run out of supplies)?
• Your specific needs as an individual (how much food you eat and any dietary requirements)?

The recommended daily calorie intake is 2,000 calories a day for women and 2,500 a day for men. This means that for your two-week emergency food supply you will need 35,000 calories of food if you are a man and 28,000 calories if you are a woman. And let’s not forget water: sticking to the 8×8 (half a gallon a day) rule means you will need seven gallons of water to last 14 days as a single person.

Don’t forget that eating during an emergency is different from eating normally. Depending on the situation, you could need more energy than you would otherwise which is why you should focus on eating protein-rich and high-energy foods. Even if you are just sitting around at home snowed in or there has been a power cut, you will need to consume nutritious foods to keep in good health.

What Grains Should You Eat?

Wholegrain foods provide fibre, vitamins and minerals and come in all shapes and sizes. They are usually low in fat, but fibre rich. According to The Association of UK Dietricians, wholegrains can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes – as well as help control cholesterol levels, weight and blood pressure.

But how much do you need to stockpile? The number of grains you eat will depend on personal preference, dietary needs and how much energy you need day-to-day. However, it is recommended to eat six ounces of grains per day – with at least half being wholegrains, which is five pounds to last two weeks. Here is a breakdown of the types and amounts of grains a single person could stock up for their emergency supplies:

• Corn: 25%, which is 1.25 pounds of corn
• Wheat: 40%, which is 2 pounds of wheat
• Rice: 20%, which is 1 pound of rice
• Oats: 15%, which is 0.75 pounds of oats

Additional options for grains include pasta, cereal, quinoa and cous cous. You can also stock up on semi-perishable snack foods that will last at least two weeks like biscuits.

The above breakdown is just a suggestion, and you can adjust the percentages and amounts based on your personal preferences and dietary needs. As you can see the proportions suggested here slightly differ to those in the article about stocking up grains for a year, because needs will vary depending on the duration of stocking. For example, if you’re planning a yearly stockpile, you might allocate a larger percentage of your total grain supply to longer-lasting grains like corn, since these grains can store well for a greater period of time.

However, if you’re only stocking up for two weeks, you might allocate a larger percentage of your grain supply to shorter-lasting grains like oats, since these grains are more suitable for shorter-term storage. Additionally, it’s essential to keep your grains in airtight containers and store them in a cool, dry place to maintain their freshness and quality.

What Protein Should You Eat?

Protein is an extremely important part of any diet and necessary for growth and repair of body tissues. Over a period of two weeks you will need at least 1,400 grams of protein. Here is a breakdown of the types of proteins to stock up on:

Meat: Meat is a key source of protein for your diet but unfortunately as you are stocking up for two weeks, you will have to forget about that fresh juicy steak and live on canned and dried meats instead. To last you two weeks, you can get least two 400g tins of canned meat like chilli con carne, ham and meatballs.

Eggs: Eggs are a very important source of protein and easy to store and cook. For two weeks you will need at least one 300g box – that’s six eggs.

Fish: Instead of going to the fishmongers for fresh produce, you will need to stock up on at least two 145g tins of canned fish such as tuna and sardines.

Lentils: Lentils are an excellent source of protein especially for vegans and vegetarians. When preparing for emergencies, single people should stock up on at least one bag for two weeks – that’s around 250 grams. Other beans and legumes include edamame, black beans, kidney beans and butter beans.

What Dairy Should You Eat?

Experts recommend that you eat at least two to three daily servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy foods per day. Dairy provides you with essential nutrients like protein, calcium, phosphorus and many of the other vitamins you need. To ensure you are prepped for emergencies, it’s best to get dry dairy as it is easy to preserve and less likely to suffer damage. The below is based on the 28 to 42 servings daily quota to last two weeks in case of emergency:

Milk: Milk can go off very fast so you will need to buy at least one dried milk pot of 350 grams (around 17 servings) to see you through two weeks.

Cheese: All of us can agree cheese is delicious, but cheese need to be consumed fast once opened so if you are opting for cheese you will need to buy a couple of small 100g packets and consume them quickly.

Yoghurt: Even if you buy frozen yoghurt, you could be stuck with damaged products in the event of a power cut. But they are an excellent option for one of your daily servings and if you are a real yoghurt fan, you could buy one or two 100ml tubs and store them in the freezer.

What Fruit and Vegetables Should You Eat?

By now, just about everyone is aware they need to eat at least five servings of fruit and vegetables per day. But what does this mean? Well, evidence shows that there are strong health benefits from getting at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables per day in total. Fruit and vegetables can lower the risk of health problems such as heart disease, stroke and some kind of cancers. To last two weeks, you’ll need around 70 portions of fruit and vegetables – as outlined below:

Fruit: To ensure you have enough fruit for your daily intake you will need to store 35 servings of canned fruit for two weeks. That is around ten to 12 tins of fruit. You can opt for peaches, pears, apples or mixed fruits. For variety, you can swap out for dried fruit, such as strawberries, mangos and cherries.

Vegetables: You will need to have the same 35 servings of tinned vegetables. Options include tinned carrots, tomatoes, peas and sweetcorn.

Don’t Forget Other Essentials

Other essentials that you need to remember include a bottle of olive oil to cook your food as well as the accompanying condiments such as salt and pepper. You will also need toilet paper, washing up liquid, soap, toothpaste and anything else you use regularly in your daily life to see you through two weeks.

Summary: How Much A Single Person Should Stock Up For Emergencies

Unexpected emergencies can strike at any time, catching you off guard. However, the silver lining is that they don’t happen regularly. That being said, it’s imperative to keep your stocks up to date and to check them frequently to ensure they haven’t spoiled or expired. A single person stocking up for an emergency should ensure they get a balanced diet, with the right quantities of fruit and vegetables, grains, protein and dairy. Remember, being prepared is the key to staying ahead of the game!