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Discussion: Reality Check for post apocalyptic food gathering...

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SlothMaster	Reality Check for post apocalyptic food gathering... Aug 6 2010, 8:02 PM EDT \| Post edited: Aug 6 2010, 8:02 PM EDT There is of course more to follow on this subject, but the aforementioned "balanced diet" recommendation is of course NOT possible in a post apocalyptic situation. How many people know where to get naturally occurring almonds, peanuts, beans, peas, much less finding milk, cheese, yogurt, and fresh fruit. Obviously it going to be difficult to find a lot of nutrient-dense foods, so I recommend stocking good multi-vitamins to supplement your diet. Post reply 4 out of 4 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you? Keyword tags: None
AlexHigginbotham	1. RE: Reality Check for post apocalyptic food gathering... Aug 6 2010, 9:23 PM EDT \| Post edited: Aug 6 2010, 9:23 PM EDT Eating vitamins is not a safe alternative to eating healthy. It is an option, but it doesn't compare to eating right. I would imagine that non parishables will be scalvagable for years depending on the world wide survival rate. Yes they will run out one day, but thats for the generations after me to figure out. I imagine I will be teaching kids more about agriculture than math or english. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
Oakspar77777	2. RE: Reality Check for post apocalyptic food gathering... Aug 8 2010, 12:18 PM EDT 1) Vitamins have a rather short shelf life, as vitamins are complex molecules that break down easily over time, or when exposed to heat or light. 2) Fresh Meat is your best source for nutrient. You are red meat, so if you eat red meat (not overcooked), you are getting some of every nutrient your body needs. The only shortcoming is that most wild game is very lean, and digesting protein is an energy intensive process. 3) Thus, you need carbs. They make us fat now, they keep us going then. Luckily, carbs are cheap and live forever. True, that box of cocoa-ritalin-puffs will be vitamin free in a few years, but the calories will still be there in 40 years. In general, dry pasta, whole grains, cereal, and the like are good for 30+ years. Many ground grains (flour, in particular) tends to degrade in 15 or so. 4) Since fresh meat is not always an option, having a backup is good. Preserved meat maintains the protein, but looses many of the vitamins (both in the preservation process and over time). Those vitamins must be suplimented. In particular, Vit A and C have crappy shelf lives and are essential to good health. 5) You answer, however, resides in some of the easiest plants to grow. Vit A loves the squash family (summer squash, zuccinni, and pumpkin). All three of which are ridiculously easy to grow - so long as you keep them pest free (which, in a pinch, can usually be done by hand - though that is a labor intensive process that sucks). Vitamin C usually comes from fresh fruits. Kiwi vines are one of your best options in cold climates. If you are temperate, Fig trees are also very productive. If you are semi-tropical or better, you probably already grow citrus. Eat all you can in season, and realize that you will likely get sick more in winter due to lack of Vit C (as humanity always has). Thankfully, fall pumpkins are usually hold up fine throughout the winter, and pumpkin soup is delicious. Post reply 3 out of 3 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
Eritsukukun	3. RE: Reality Check for post apocalyptic food gathering... Aug 8 2010, 3:33 PM EDT \| Post edited: Aug 8 2010, 3:33 PM EDT I think its kind of amusing that most dietary recommendations are ignored by a great majority of the population today when all parts are readily available to them but if the world should end it suddenly life or death. I have a great big bag of green tea sitting on a shelf to prevent scurvy and other vitamin illnesses but other than that I am eating whatever the hell I find because I cant eat worse than I am doing now. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
SasquatchJim	4. RE: Reality Check for post apocalyptic food gathering... Aug 8 2010, 3:36 PM EDT \| Post edited: Aug 8 2010, 3:36 PM EDT "I think its kind of amusing that most dietary recommendations are ignored by a great majority of the population today when all parts are readily available to them but if the world should end it suddenly life or death. I have a great big bag of green tea sitting on a shelf to prevent scurvy and other vitamin illnesses but other than that I am eating whatever the hell I find because I cant eat worse than I am doing now. " Heh, good point. Aren't pine needles good for preventing scurvy? Post reply Do you find this valuable?
2WheeledSpeed	5. RE: Reality Check for post apocalyptic food gathering... Aug 8 2010, 3:39 PM EDT \| Post edited: Aug 8 2010, 3:39 PM EDT I just stock up on Guinness, it's a meal in a bottle! Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
Eritsukukun	6. RE: Reality Check for post apocalyptic food gathering... Aug 8 2010, 4:22 PM EDT \| Post edited: Aug 8 2010, 4:22 PM EDT "Heh, good point. Aren't pine needles good for preventing scurvy?" Anything containing Vitamin C prevents scurvy. 1 lemon a month should prevent scurvy more or less. I looked at a commercial for some kind of pill that made miracles for your health because it contained antioxidants. So I basically looked up what kind of everyday goods had this and it said tea had loads of vitamins. I personally hate tea like rat poison but I keep it at home in case I get sick or get a tea drinking girl over. Note that I do not "poh poh" nutritional values and you should take it into account when designing a proper food supply but for a short term survival you can eat some pretty ****** food. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
Agrippa	7. RE: Reality Check for post apocalyptic food gathering... Aug 9 2010, 10:35 AM EDT Okay, this is my first reply on the whole site so if I do this wrong, please feel free to message me or reply here to set me straight. First, yes, pine needles to contain vitamin C and can prevent scurvy. They even taste pretty good in the form of Tea. I find that spruce needles work best but try a few things, the needles by themselves aren't poisonous (I AM NOT AN EXPERT PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK BEFORE EATING ANYTHING WILD) but you should make sure that the ones you use are clean and healthy (not yellow, no bird poop). Other than vitamin C, you can meet almost all of your nutritional needs through just about whatever you find. Variety is not important, but you should make sure you get enough calories to keep you going. Yes, carbs digest easier and provide quick energy but all food works. Wheat and barley are the closest to wonder foods you can find. They not only have a high calorie count but also contain all of the protein you need. Good luck. Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
Eritsukukun	8. RE: Reality Check for post apocalyptic food gathering... Aug 9 2010, 11:47 AM EDT So the pine needles. how much of it do you need to eat exactly? Post reply Do you find this valuable?
Agrippa	9. RE: Reality Check for post apocalyptic food gathering... Aug 9 2010, 1:51 PM EDT \| Post edited: Aug 9 2010, 1:51 PM EDT "So the pine needles. how much of it do you need to eat exactly? " I'm not sure exactly but it isn't much. I would say anytime you have access to hot water, pine needles and time, you should mix up a cup, use about an once of needles per cup or adjust to your taste, it really does taste pretty good. In a pinch you could just chew them like gum or tobacco but I don't recommend that. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
SasquatchJim	10. RE: Reality Check for post apocalyptic food gathering... Aug 9 2010, 3:45 PM EDT \| Post edited: Aug 9 2010, 3:45 PM EDT Thanks for the info, Agrip. Wait, you AREN"T supposed to eat the ones with bird poop? Aw crap... Post reply Do you find this valuable?
Eritsukukun	11. RE: Reality Check for post apocalyptic food gathering... Aug 9 2010, 4:52 PM EDT \| Post edited: Aug 9 2010, 4:52 PM EDT Bird droppings have loads of calcium. that is why it has that white color. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
DevilNuts	12. RE: Reality Check for post apocalyptic food gathering... Aug 9 2010, 5:39 PM EDT \| Post edited: Aug 9 2010, 5:39 PM EDT "So the pine needles. how much of it do you need to eat exactly? " I know you need about a bucket full and two years to make liquor :) Post reply Do you find this valuable?
Madurjafro	13. RE: Reality Check for post apocalyptic food gathering... Aug 9 2010, 6:55 PM EDT \| Post edited: Aug 9 2010, 6:55 PM EDT "Bird droppings have loads of calcium. that is why it has that white color." ok thats just nasty, I saw that nobody mentioned tinned fruit, I guess it tastes like the fresh stuff but I'm not sure about the content, after a long time. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
Eritsukukun	14. RE: Reality Check for post apocalyptic food gathering... Aug 10 2010, 8:22 AM EDT "I know you need about a bucket full and two years to make liquor :)" how does it taste? Post reply Do you find this valuable?
fixdeluxe1	15. RE: Reality Check for post apocalyptic food gathering... Dec 2 2010, 10:18 PM EST "There is of course more to follow on this subject, but the aforementioned "balanced diet" recommendation is of course NOT possible in a post apocalyptic situation. How many people know where to get naturally occurring almonds, peanuts, beans, peas, much less finding milk, cheese, yogurt, and fresh fruit. Obviously it going to be difficult to find a lot of nutrient-dense foods, so I recommend stocking good multi-vitamins to supplement your diet." Personally I keep quite a lot of alcohol in the cellar,so if you are about to die of hunger at least you can get drunk before you go! Post reply Do you find this valuable?
FreeButter	17. RE: Reality Check for post apocalyptic food gathering... Nov 16 2011, 5:43 AM EST Pro-tip Dandelion leaves, sweet potato leaves, broad bean leaves are all edible Look at what the Chinese and Vietnamese eat... Pretty damn everything Post reply Do you find this valuable?
LadyAeries	18. RE: Reality Check for post apocalyptic food gathering... Nov 18 2011, 9:49 AM EST I suggest picking up a book of edible and medicinal plants for your area. I picked one up to throw in my BOB, and am currently in the process of taking down notes from it and comparing it to what I've taken from another book. Very interesting stuff. Dandelions aren't in the book because they count as a weed, but they're absolutely everywhere- and I'm pretty sure every part of the dandelion is edible. The leaves are supposed to be pretty good in a salad, although I've never tried, and I came across a recipe for dandelion fritters once using the flowers. Just check for anything crawling around in them first. It's also been said that the milk in the stem makes a decent glue, if I remember correctly. Can't remember what the root can be used for, though. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
Frag-12	19. RE: Reality Check for post apocalyptic food gathering... Nov 18 2011, 10:05 AM EST For your area and I also suggest region (State, Country) if you are forced to relocate, you will be trouble. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
CallsignPyro	20. RE: Reality Check for post apocalyptic food gathering... Nov 18 2011, 10:14 AM EST "There is of course more to follow on this subject, but the aforementioned "balanced diet" recommendation is of course NOT possible in a post apocalyptic situation. How many people know where to get naturally occurring almonds, peanuts, beans, peas, much less finding milk, cheese, yogurt, and fresh fruit. Obviously it going to be difficult to find a lot of nutrient-dense foods, so I recommend stocking good multi-vitamins to supplement your diet." Hunting deer, boar, turkey (depending on your native animals) will give you the protein & some of the nutrients of what they eat stored in the fat. Having a baggy of seeds in your BOB for relocation farming. I'll agree with you about the milk, unless you like goat milk or own a cow. Fresh fruit is rather easy, fruit trees don't need alot of attention, the only reasons people give it to them is so they don't grow wild or get diseases. Post reply Do you find this valuable?

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