Storing Meats and Proteins in Your Food Storage
11 Aug 2015
Protein is an important part of our diet and necessary to have in your food storage. For many people the majority of protein comes from meat, fish, and poultry. In the past, these foods have been difficult to store because of the limited options of preservation. Canned and dried meats like tuna and beef jerky have a short shelf life, making them difficult to store in long term food storage.
Thankfully, technology has improved in the last few years. There are many more protein options available for food storage, as well as technology advancements that have increased the shelf life of all foods, including meats. One of these advancements is the freeze-drying process.
Freeze-dried Foods
The freeze-drying process removes moisture from the food without damaging its nutrients or structure. This is done by freezing the water in the food at very cold temperatures, then slowly warming it to a gaseous state, completely skipping the liquid state. This process remove up to 99% of the moisture in a food, giving it a shelf life of 30 years.
The freeze-drying process works on many foods, including meats and other proteins. Freeze dried meats can include turkey, chicken and beef. These meats are a great source of protein and can be stored for 30 years in your long-term food storage. Once reconstituted, they have the same flavor and texture as other meat, as well as the same nutrients. They can be used as regular meat in any recipe and provide the same great taste!
Other freeze-dried protein options include eggs, cheeses, and milks. Again, all you need to do is reconstitute the food and it will be ready to use in any recipe. Freeze-dried foods are some of the best options for your food storage because of their long shelf life, their high nutritional content, and their versatility.
Dried Foods
Another low cost option for storing protein is dried beans. They have a shelf life of 20 years and can be reconstituted in water. Beans are an easy item to store in your long-term food storage and will provide a great source of fiber and protein when you need it.
However, beans are not a complete protein. You will need to pair it with a grain like rice or wheat in order to get all of the nutrients that you need to stay healthy. While beans are a great protein to store, it is always good to store a variety of proteins to ensure that you receive all of the necessary vitamins and minerals that your body needs to survive.
Protein is an important part of any diet and having it in your long-term food storage will prepare you for anything. With technology like freeze-dried meats and dairy products and advancements like TVP, storing the protein you need has never been easier. Protein can now be stored in many different forms, ensuring that you’re ready to handle any situation.