What Makes the Best Homemade Survival Bars?
High Calorie Ingredients
All survival bars must include high-calorie ingredients in order to really serve their purpose. These calories should also come from sources other than sugar. Sugar can be used as a sweetener, but it should not constitute the main source of energy due to the fact that it doesn’t produce lasting-effects. An abundance of sugar may also contribute to a range of deficiencies that can impact how the mind and body function during stressful situations.
Two of the best alternatives are peanut butter and powdered milk. Two tablespoons of peanut butter have about 180 calories and 18 grams of protein. ¼ cup of powdered milk contains about 160 calories and 8 grams of protein. Either of these ingredients will provide a huge boost to the amount of energy that a single survival bar can provide. Powdered milk will add a certain degree of creaminess to the bars whereas peanut butter will produce a softer product that may be easier to chew. They can also be included together in recipes as well.
Nutrition Matters
Survival bars must also be nutritious in order to make up for deficiencies that can occur when access to traditional foods are limited. Carbohydrates, fiber, an assortment of vitamins and minerals as well as essential amino acids are important to maintaining physical and mental health. The good news is that we get these nutrients from many dried foods that can easily be included in survival bars.
Raisins, oats, whey, nuts, dates and a variety of seeds are just a few examples of foods that are easy to obtain and incorporate into recipes. They are also very compact and can help to produce dense and nutrient-rich bars.
Sample Recipe
3 Cups oats
1 Cup corn flakes or raisin bran
¼ Cup flax seed
½ Cup raisins (if not using Raisin Bran)
¼ Cup cashews or walnuts
½ Cup protein powder
½ Cup powdered milk
½ Cup peanut butter
1 Cup maple syrup
3 Tsp honey
½ Cup olive oil
Combine all of the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl and set aside. Add all of the wet ingredients to a saucepan over low heat. Don’t boil the ingredients, but use just enough heat to melt everything. Stir and remove from heat once everything is evenly mixed together. Pour over the dry ingredients and mix together.
Place the mixture on a lined baking sheet and spread it out until it is about ½ inch thick. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes (may be more or less depending on the oven and altitude). Remove and let cool on the counter until the product reaches room temperature. Cut the bars into the size of your liking and store in Ziploc freezer bags or in an airtight container. You can make variations to this recipe based on your needs or preferences, so feel free to experiment.
Purchasing Survival Bars
There are a variety of products on the market that offer a wide-range of ingredient combinations. However, it’s important to choose items that do not contain a lot of sugar, salt or preservatives. Remember, that these bars are intended to provide a healthy and convenient source of food. Avoid store-bought granola or energy bars. Purchase items from a vendor who offers foods that are specifically geared to the survivalist community. This will help to ensure that the food you consume will give you the nutrients that you need.
