Gluten Free Tips to Prepare for Emergencies

If you’ve been following the gluten free diet for a while, you’ve probably learned to keep a few snacks in your briefcase or purse for backup. When you follow the gluten free diet by necessity, you can’t always rely on having access to safe food. It pays to plan ahead and to assume that you won’t be able to grab something at the last minute. When you find yourself in an unexpected situation, you’ll be glad to have a backup plan.

In an emergency situation such as a natural disaster, it may be more difficult to find gluten free food than regular food. In the event of an extended power outage, you might not be able to prepare the food you’d otherwise eat. To prepare yourself for whatever unexpected situation crops up, it’s important to have an emergency gluten free food kit stocked and ready to go.    

The Importance of Stocking an Emergency Kit

If you find yourself unexpectedly fleeing your home or staying in quarantine for an extended period of time, you can’t count on having access to essentials. An emergency kit is also known as a survival or disaster kit and generally includes the supplies you’ll need during an emergency. If you live with others, you’ll want to make sure you have an emergency kit for yourself and anyone who lives with you.

Here are some of the key benefits of keeping an emergency kit:

• You’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re prepared in the event of an unexpected situation
• If you are unable to leave your home for supplies, you’ll have a backup supply to draw from
• It ensures that you’ll be able to grab supplies quickly if you have to leave your home in a hurry

The Red Cross recommends keeping an emergency preparedness kit that contains a three-day supply of non-perishable food for evacuation purposes and a two-week supply for the home. In addition to stocking enough food for each person in your household, add one gallon of water per person, per day.

Though food is one of the most important elements of any emergency kit, it’s not the only thing to think about. It’s a good idea to keep a first aid kit stocked and accessible as well as a 7-day supply of medications and any medical supplies your family needs. You may also want to keep a backup supply of sanitation and personal hygiene items as well as a radio, flashlight, extra batteries, and basic tools.

What Should You Include in Your Emergency Food Kit?

It’s impossible to anticipate what you’ll have access to during an emergency situation, so it’s best to cover all your bases. Stock your emergency kit with at least 3 days but ideally 5 to 7 days of food including meals and snacks. Gluten free energy bars and dried fruit are great for snacks but don’t forget to include more substantial items like canned meat and soups. Be sure to create a separate kit for yourself and anyone else in your family who follows a strict gluten free diet.

Here are some of the shelf-stable essentials to include in your emergency kit:

• Gluten free breads and rolls (Schär breads are shelf stable for up to 4 months)
• Gluten free snacks
• Gluten free pasta
• Dry milk powder or shelf-stable non-dairy milk
• Canned or boxed soup or soup mix
• Dried fruit and nuts
• Canned meat, chicken, or fish
• Peanut butter or almond butter
• Gluten free beverages or meal replacement shakes
• Shelf-stable gluten free prepared meals
• Bottled water

Once you’ve assembled the supplies for your emergency kit, you have to think about how to store them. Assuming everything you’ve gathered is non-perishable, you shouldn’t have to worry about repackaging it. Gather everything in a zip-top tote or cooler that’s easy to transport and place it somewhere readily accessible. It doesn’t hurt to label the kit either, just to avoid confusion.

What to Do If You Find Yourself without GF Options in an Emergency

Stocking an emergency gluten free food kit is a proactive step to prepare yourself and your family for an emergency, but disasters are inherently unpredictable. Even if you take the time to stock your pantry, an emergency might catch you away from home. You should never put yourself or your family in danger to retrieve your supplies, so there’s always the chance you may end up without them.

Here are some tips for handling an emergency without your gluten free food kit:

• Make sure you and your family are safe – this is always your first priority. Once your family is settled you can figure out what to do about food.
• Communicate with rescue personnel, whether that’s your local government, Red Cross, etc. If you’re staying in a shelter, alert them to your dietary restrictions as soon as you register or ask who you should speak to about them.
• Stay patient but don’t be afraid to be persistent – have respect for volunteers and staff but be an advocate for yourself and your needs.
• Be realistic about your options and be thankful for anything you receive – your options may be limited to things like canned tuna and beans or naturally gluten free foods like vegetables.

Any emergency situation is going to be scary and chaotic, but a little advanced planning can ensure that you and your family have what you need to weather the storm. Make a list of items to stock in your gluten free emergency kit and think about where you’re going to store it for easy access. If you’re lucky, you’ll never need it. If you do, you’ll be very glad you have it.