In the best of times, a dietary restriction can be difficult. It only gets that much worse in an emergency scenario. But living with a gluten sensitivity doesn’t mean you can’t create an emergency food supply. Here’s how you can create a gluten-free survival food stash.
Tip #1: Know What Gluten Is (and What It’s In)
Those with gluten intolerances or Celiac disease avoid products containing gluten. But what is gluten? Gluten is a protein found in certain cereal grains, like wheat, barley, and rye. Gluten is responsible for creating a light, squishy texture and is commonly found in bread, cookies, pasta, and crackers.
Today, there are many great-tasting gluten-free products and gluten-free flour alternatives to choose from. Gluten-free flours and products are often made from gluten-free oats, potatoes, arrowroot, corn, almonds, buckwheat, or amaranth.
Additionally, many of the foods you eat every day are naturally gluten-free. Fruits, vegetables, eggs, dairy products, and meats are always gluten-free in their unprocessed forms.
Tip # 2: Read Between the Labeling Lines
When you’re gluten-free, you’ll need to learn how to read product labels carefully. Not every product that is gluten-free will be clearly labeled as gluten-free. Similarly, not every product containing gluten will be clearly labeled as such. You’ll need to know how to read labels before building your gluten-free emergency food supply. Luckily, there are a few easy ways to figure out what is (and isn’t) safe for you to eat.
Check the allergen listing.
Most food packaging lists common allergens the product contains. Examples include wheat, soy, eggs, nuts, and milk. If a product says it “contains wheat,” this product will not be gluten-free. However, barley and rye also contain gluten and are not considered “common allergens.”
Check the ingredients list.
Once you’ve looked over the allergen listing, you’ll need to look at the ingredients list. Barley and rye also contain gluten and are not considered “common allergens.” You’ll need to find them in the ingredient list. If you see barley or rye included, the product is not gluten-free.
What if a processed food doesn’t contain gluten but is not labeled as gluten-free?
Oftentimes, that means that this food item was processed or packaged in a facility containing other gluten-filled ingredients or products. Some people are okay to eat these foods, while others are not. Work alongside your doctor to determine if these foods are safe for you to eat — or if you should only stick to products labeled as “gluten-free.”
Tip #3: Stock up on Gluten-Free Survival Food Staples
Think you’ll be limited when it comes to gluten-free survival foods? Think again! Some of the most popular survival food staples are naturally gluten-free! Here are the shelf-stable gluten-free foods you should stock up on.
Canned and Jarred Goods
Canned and jarred goods are a survival food staple! They’re easy to reheat, eat, and store. Here are some options to consider. (Don’t forget to double-check your labels).
- Beans
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Gluten-free soups
- Nut butter
- Pasta sauces
- Canned milk
Dry Goods
In addition to canned goods, stock up on dry goods with long shelf lives. Double check each addition to your survival food and make sure it is gluten-free. (And, don’t forget to store your dry goods properly!)
- Rice
- Beans
- Lentils
- Freeze-dried fruits
- Freeze-dried veggies
- Gluten-free oats
- Gluten-free flours
- Gluten-free pastas
4Patriots Specialties
While 4Patriots meals and products aren’t Certified Gluten-Free, many of our offerings are naturally gluten-free. You and your doctor know your body best — be sure to consult with the experts to determine if our naturally-gluten free products are suitable for you.
Tip #4: Start Your Own Survival Garden
While it’s important to create a stash of gluten-free canned, dried, and designated survival foods, it’s also important to take self-reliance into your own hands. Starting a survival food garden (indoors or outdoors) is an easy way to become self-reliant and ensure you’ll have plenty of fresh food to eat. Find out the best crops to grow in your survival food garden and pick up some seeds today!
Tip #5: Create Your Own Survival Food Recipes
Being gluten-free requires a little creativity — especially when you’re in a crisis. Stay prepared ahead of time by creating your own gluten-free survival food recipes. Need some inspiration? Learn how to spice up your white rice and take a peek through our survival food recipes and make some simple swaps to create your very own gluten-free alternatives. Be sure to test out your recipes ahead of time!
Start Building Your Gluten-Free Emergency Food Supply Today
There’s no reason you should have to sacrifice your health in a crisis. Stay prepared by shopping for powdered ingredients* and survival food kits* online at 4Patriots, and don’t forget to pick up other essential gear like solar generators, survival seeds, and more.
*While none of our foods are Certified Gluten-Free as they are processed on shared machinery, many of our 4Patriots Survival Food Meals are naturally gluten-free. Please click here to get more information — including an ingredient list for each recipe.
