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Worried about food storage and emergency preparedness? Avoid these 5 common mistakes

Worried about food storage and emergency preparedness? Avoid these 5 common mistakes

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Estimated read time: 7-8 minutes

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With each natural disaster, disruption in the food supply, or the latest worrying economic news, there's probably a little voice in the back of your head that asks, "What will I do if this happens to me and my family?"

There are plenty of reasons to think about it. Consider what's occurred just within the last year: international conflicts, empty store shelves, lack of basic food availability, rapidly increasing food costs, multiple weather-related emergencies, and unprecedented worldwide supply chain issues.

Whether you call it "stocking up," emergency preparedness, a food storage plan, or you even consider yourself a full-blown "prepper", there's never been a better time to start working on a plan to take care of you and your loved ones.

Leading metabolic scientist, local Utah professor, and the best-selling author of "Why We Get Sick," Dr. Ben Bikman agrees with the need to be prepared.

"Everyone should have some nutrient-dense food on hand in case of an emergency, and also have a long-term food storage plan to take care of their families," said Bikman. "Unfortunately, most people don't even know where to start, or are already doing the wrong things."

Bikman may seem like an unlikely voice when it comes to emergency preparedness and long-term food storage until you realize that he knows more about how the body uses food for energy better than almost anyone else in the world.

"In emergency situations, you need to have the proper fuel," said Bikman. "Yet many people make the same 5 mistakes over and over again."

Mistake #1: Food that's nutritionally incomplete and unhealthy

According to Bikman, the most dangerous issue with most people's food storage is that it's nutritionally deficient.

"Traditional food storage often consists of big buckets full of carbohydrates," said Bikman. "Many people don't realize that there aren't any essential carbohydrates, yet you must have the essential amino acids from protein, and the essential fatty acids from healthy fats."

Bikman explains that while carbohydrates have been a shelf-stable and historically popular choice, the outdated approach to nutrition is real trouble.

"You can survive for a time with a carb-heavy diet, but your health will suffer and you certainly won't thrive," said Bikman. "Your metabolic health, gut health and brain health will each measurably decline; all at a time when you need to be at your best."

Worried about food storage and emergency preparedness? Avoid these 5 common mistakes
Photo: SeDmi/Shutterstock.com

Mistake #2: Storing food you don't currently use and enjoy

Bikman says that there's an insightful exercise to gauge the state of your food and emergency preparedness: Just take a look in your fridge and pantry. Are there items that you've stocked up on, yet you rarely eat them or they're expired?

"Now consider what's in your 72-hour kit and your long-term food storage," said Bikman. "Odds are that you're sitting on containers full of wheat and beans, yet you don't prepare and eat those in your daily life. Even if it won't expire for 10 years, experts tell us that you won't eat them for any period of time, even in an emergency situation. You need to store food you actually use on a daily basis--ideally food that is high in protein and healthy fats."

Mistake #3: Impractical, inconvenient or bulky food

Beyond the unpalatable food, Bikman emphasizes that another challenge with traditional emergency planning is the very packaging it's often stored in.

"It's cheaper for the companies to put it in big cans or huge buckets," said Bikman. "But they're heavy, take up a lot of space, don't travel well, and often aren't resealable."

"For emergency preparedness and food storage, you want the most nutrient-dense food possible that is portable, compact, and can be resealed," said Bikman.

Mistake #4: Spending too much on food storage

Another area of concern for Bikman is the exorbitant cost for traditional food storage; even seeing people go into debt to purchase large food storage packages all at once.

"Ideally, you'd invest in food storage over time, with food that you actually consume on a regular basis," said Bikman. "This will help ensure that you're truly rotating your food storage and keeping it fresh."

"Fortunately, there are some wonderful programs and companies that allow you to build up your food storage on a monthly basis," said Bikman.

Worried about food storage and emergency preparedness? Avoid these 5 common mistakes
Photo: Gary Perkin/Shutterstock.com

Mistake #5: Food that's difficult to prepare

For all of his years of research, Bikman says that busy schedules and convenience undo good intentions when it comes to food and overall health.

"The best food storage includes the food you already use, is nutritionally complete, and is simple to make," said Bikman. "The last thing you want is to be stuck in an emergency situation and not have the time or needed tools to be able to feed your loved ones."

Cracking the code for emergency preparedness and food storage

Even with all of the information that Bikman shares in his speeches and interviews, he is constantly asked by people around the world what they should do for their health.

"Ideally, we all would have the knowledge, time, discipline and budget to plan, purchase and prepare perfect meals," said Bikman. "But it simply doesn't happen; people get busy, they get stressed and they make unhealthy choices that derail their health goals."

"Now if that happens in their daily lives, imagine what can happen in an emergency situation," said Bikman.

It became apparent to Bikman that he needed to be part of the solution to help people achieve their best health more quickly, and especially to assist those that don't always have the time, knowledge or discipline to eat healthy. In response, Bikman and his co-founding team of nutrition and industry experts recently created HLTH Code Complete Meal.

Bikman says these carefully formulated meal shakes are designed to promote healthy weight management, gut health, brain health, even hair, skin and nail health. HLTH Code Complete Meal features an optimized, science-backed blend of protein, collagen, healthy fats, apple cider vinegar, probiotics, fiber, vitamins and minerals—with no added sugar or any artificial ingredients.

"HLTH Code Complete Meal is based on research, not fads," said Bikman. "With just two scoops of powder and one cup of water, you can feel confident that you're getting optimal amounts of macro- and micro-nutrition to help you thrive, regardless of the situation you find yourself in."

Rave reviews from real customers

"I've been drinking this for 5 months to break my intermittent fast and I'm in my best shape… I can't recommend this enough!! Plus it has a great flavor!! What's not to love??" said one reviewer.

Another reviewer shared, "The results have been phenomenal! Thank you HLTH Code. The shakes are yummy but the health results are miraculous."

Yet another satisfied customer says, "They are tasty. In addition, they fill me up and keep me full for the entire afternoon."

Worried about food storage and emergency preparedness? Avoid these 5 common mistakes
Photo: HLTH Code

Why HLTH Code works so well

According to Bikman, the best health starts with the right blend of nutrition. Increased energy, feeling more vibrant, a stronger immune system, a clearer mind, improved gut health, and an improved appearance are some of the benefits from improving one's nutrition.

"When you limit unneeded carbohydrates and consume the best sources of protein and healthy fats on a daily basis, the miracle of the human body can really start to happen" said Bikman. "You'll see and feel a real difference in your life."

No-risk, satisfaction guaranteed

If you're nervous about trying something new and making changes to your nutrition and food storage plan, don't be. Bikman stands by his HLTH Code Meal Replacement products and is willing to guarantee your satisfaction.

"I created HLTH Code Complete Meal to not only be the healthiest possible shake for daily life, but also something that is nutrient dense, portable, delicious, has up to a two-year shelf life, and is easy to use for emergencies and food storage," said Bikman. "I personally use HLTH Code every day, and have an extra big supply of it. Why wouldn't you want to fill your pantry, 72-hour kits and food storage with the easiest, healthiest food imaginable?"

Indeed, if you've been looking for improved wellness, healthy weight management, and a way to responsibly build your emergency preparedness and food storage, then HLTH Code Complete Meal could well be your answer.

For exclusive savings on your first order, visit getHLTH.com and enter the discount code KSL at checkout.

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