Foods and drinks preppers should avoid.

You can make your own soda syrup and can it using your fruit of choice. Lemonade and tea concentrates are another option and you'll find recipes for each online. The same holds true for gatorade. Pinterest has a number of diy recipes like the one below (use coconut milk powder with freeze dried fruit). Be mindful of nutrition, protein intake and energy. And above all, put away the things you enjoy and like to consume.

I prefer to store ingredients that allow me to make things from scratch from meals and beverages to desserts and bread. I make my own medicines too and having a supply of medicinal herbs with a few books in tow is helpful.

~bella

JohnB445 said:

I am a big fan of soda, I am a healthy weight, so I don't have any problems with excess sugar intake matter of fact I might not be getting enough sugar. The cans of soda can be bought in large packs, stores really well and has a long shelf life. Although my primary drinks are milk, water, and Gatorade, I enjoy an occasional soda but would this not be good at all for prepping? For milk I have dry milk for less chance of spoil, and no need to regularly go to the grocery store.

Other things I have for prepping are energy bars such as those cliff bars, with a focus on variety but unsure if that is beneficial or not or if the nutrients are all the same across different energy bars. Chips, dried prunes, mixed nuts. Candy of all variety, chewing gum.

Canned fruits, pasta, canned veggies.

Still learning about prepping, what else would you recommend I include?

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Even veteran peppers are still always learning about prepping, if they are wise, lol. But I first got into it about 6 or 7 years ago now, and it kinda depends on your specfic plan if something was to happen? But you'll need clean water, and that is always a must first, so make sure to get educated about that, and find something that will work with your specific plan(s). I personally wanted to be able to have foods with a really long shelf life, and not a whole lot of cooking time, and so I have enough dry white rice in five gallon buckets with oxygen and moisture absorbers in mylar bags that should last 25 to 35 years, or the rest of my life, enough for a year of staying inside, and I went with canned beans over dry beans because of dry beans long cooking time (a lot more propane needed, etc) and I also have enough dry instant oatmeal stored the exact same way with the exact same amount of shelf life, and again, I went with instant for the cook time, and enough of that for a year inside. I also have nonfat powdered milk stored in mylar bags, moisture and oxygen absorbers, and got that to the maximum 15 year shelf life, so I'll probably have to replace that just only once, or one more time in my life. I also want to get more freeze dried food eventually to occasionally break up the monotony of my other food in a grid down scenario or emergency situation eventually, and it has a 25 to 35 year shelf life also, and only needs hot water, and freeze dried food is really a good way to go, but if you try to make it all of your food preps, it can get very, very expensive. Anyway, there is more, or a lot more, but most of this you can find out by googling with right questions, and/or online. Maybe check out some youtubers about the subject also, as that can help a lot, both survivalism and prepping probably is what you should research/search probably just to start. There is just a lot more to this whole prepping business than most realize, so just spend a lot of time looking into it and/or doing your research online. A great deal of it will depend on your specific plans also, etc.

God Bless.

Neogaia777 said:

Even veteran peppers are still always learning about prepping, if they are wise, lol. But I first got into it about 6 or 7 years ago now, and it kinda depends on your specfic plan if something was to happen? But you'll need clean water, and that is always a must first, so make sure to get educated about that, and find something that will work with your specific plan(s). I personally wanted to be able to have foods with a really long shelf life, and not a whole lot of cooking time, and so I have enough dry white rice in five gallon buckets with oxygen and moisture absorbers in mylar bags that should last 25 to 35 years, or the rest of my life, enough for a year of staying inside, and I went with canned beans over dry beans because of dry beans long cooking time (a lot more propane needed, etc) and I also have enough dry instant oatmeal stored the exact same way with the exact same amount of shelf life, and again, I went with instant for the cook time, and enough of that for a year inside. I also have nonfat powdered milk stored in mylar bags, moisture and oxygen absorbers, and got that to the maximum 15 year shelf life, so I'll probably have to replace that just only once, or one more time in my life. I also want to get more freeze dried food eventually to occasionally break up the monotony of my other food in a grid down scenario or emergency situation eventually, and it has a 25 to 35 year shelf life also, and only needs hot water, and freeze dried food is really a good way to go, but if you try to make it all of your food preps, it can get very, very expensive. Anyway, there is more, or a lot more, but most of this you can find out by googling with right questions, and/or online. Maybe check out some youtubers about the subject also, as that can help a lot, both survivalism and prepping probably is what you should research/search probably just to start. There is just a lot more to this whole prepping business than most realize, so just spend a lot of time looking into it and/or doing your research online. A great deal of it will depend on your specific plans also, etc.

God Bless.

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@JohnB445 I live in a small apartment by myself in a city environment, so I am somewhat limited by that also, which also kind of dictates some of your plans also. Obviously, if you already live out in the country, or already have some kind of land, or are somewhat already further away from cities, your plans are going to be a whole heck of a lot different also, but if you want to know more about mine, or if you are in a situation similar to mine, then you can always PM/DM me about it if you want to, ok, because there is a lot more about it that needs to be said, ok, and I'm not totally comfortable sharing absolutely all of it in public posts on here always, so just anytime you want to, PM or DM me about the rest of it, ok.

God Bless.

There's a few things they dont recommend storing for a long time. So you might want to check out that sort of thing as well.

JohnB445 said:

I am a big fan of soda, I am a healthy weight, so I don't have any problems with excess sugar intake matter of fact I might not be getting enough sugar. The cans of soda can be bought in large packs, stores really well and has a long shelf life. Although my primary drinks are milk, water, and Gatorade, I enjoy an occasional soda but would this not be good at all for prepping? For milk I have dry milk for less chance of spoil, and no need to regularly go to the grocery store.

Other things I have for prepping are energy bars such as those cliff bars, with a focus on variety but unsure if that is beneficial or not or if the nutrients are all the same across different energy bars. Chips, dried prunes, mixed nuts. Candy of all variety, chewing gum.

Canned fruits, pasta, canned veggies.

Still learning about prepping, what else would you recommend I include?

Click to expand...

Gatorade and a lot of other things you listed are full of sugar. I’m just curious how you figure you are not getting enough sugar?

JohnB445 said:

i have low energy, i feel like I am dragging myself to work. but when I have things that are full of sugar that changes and I have the energy to do work and chores. without it i feel like just sitting down and not moving. my diet has mainly been protein, i don't eat rice, bread, or pasta much, I am finding there are healthier alternatives to sugary stuff like gatorade and recently started eating more wheat bread and pasta even though I don't like it I hear its better for you. For prepping on the other hand, I prefer the pasta easy to store and prepare, long lasting. but im always looking for options.

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Pasta will go bad in just a couple of years, and that's even under the best of conditions. Again, do your research, and ask Google, and learn about proper storage/shelf life of things, and how to extend it when and where you can. And always remember that calories are king in a survival situation. Most of what you have or are right now naming will go bad in just a couple years, even when stored properly to the maximum that you can, and kept/stored under the best of conditions. So if you are going to do that, then you need to already be using them right now pretty regularly, and also be rotating/cycling them out pretty regularly, etc. Even canned goods start to go bad after just five years, and some canned goods even much faster than that, depending on what it is. Gotta do the research, and have a plan, and find out what's going to work best with your specific plan.

God Bless.

JohnB445 said:

i have low energy, i feel like I am dragging myself to work. but when I have things that are full of sugar that changes and I have the energy to do work and chores. without it i feel like just sitting down and not moving. my diet has mainly been protein, i don't eat rice, bread, or pasta much, I am finding there are healthier alternatives to sugary stuff like gatorade and recently started eating more wheat bread and pasta even though I don't like it I hear its better for you. For prepping on the other hand, I prefer the pasta easy to store and prepare, long lasting. but im always looking for options.

Click to expand...

@JohnB445 Raw white granulated sugar never goes bad, and needs no special storage conditions, other than just trying to keep it somewhat dry, but that's just only so it doesn't clump up, but other than that, needs no special storage conditions just so long as you are keeping the bugs/insects out, and that kind of thing. I also have enough of that stored in 5 gallon buckets for a year.

God Bless.

100% pure maple syrup also never goes bad, as well as 100% natural/pure honey also, never goes bad.

Later/God Bless.

I would caution using sugar for energy. I was addicted to sugar and I now have type 2 diabetes because of my sugar intake. I recommend seeing your doctor and getting tests to see what your energy issue is. Treating it with sugar is a bad idea with serious consequences. Trust me, you don't want type 2 diabetes, and you don't want to be in a situation where you are dependent on medicine and you can't get it. Diabetes is no joke, it can be life threatening.

I have the exact opposite problem: I'm addicted to salt. I have no idea though what too much salt does to the body. Do you?

JohnB445 said:

I am a big fan of soda, I am a healthy weight, so I don't have any problems with excess sugar intake matter of fact I might not be getting enough sugar. The cans of soda can be bought in large packs, stores really well and has a long shelf life. Although my primary drinks are milk, water, and Gatorade, I enjoy an occasional soda but would this not be good at all for prepping? For milk I have dry milk for less chance of spoil, and no need to regularly go to the grocery store.

Other things I have for prepping are energy bars such as those cliff bars, with a focus on variety but unsure if that is beneficial or not or if the nutrients are all the same across different energy bars. Chips, dried prunes, mixed nuts. Candy of all variety, chewing gum.

Canned fruits, pasta, canned veggies.

Still learning about prepping, what else would you recommend I include?

Click to expand...

If you're physically fit, you'll be way more flexible in what food you're able to eat a long as you're not allergic to it.

The only thing I will avoid is anything with caffeine. You don't need any of those.

JacquelineDeane55 said:

I have the exact opposite problem: I'm addicted to salt. I have no idea though what too much salt does to the body. Do you?

Click to expand...

Too much salt gives you water retention in the belly and joints, increased blood pressure. Both bad.

Too little salt is also bad. Exercising makes you sweat, helps manage body salt levels but this doesn't mean you can have as much salt you want. You still need to control your salt intake through diet even if you sweat through exercise.

Exercising should actually become part of the survival routine. Done right, it will actually make you eat a lot less food. Unbelievable isn't it?

Neogaia777 said:

@JohnB445 Raw white granulated sugar never goes bad, and needs no special storage conditions, other than just trying to keep it somewhat dry, but that's just only so it doesn't clump up, but other than that, needs no special storage conditions just so long as you are keeping the bugs/insects out, and that kind of thing. I also have enough of that stored in 5 gallon buckets for a year.

God Bless.

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@JohnB445 I have two 5 gallon buckets full of white sugar (35lbs x2 = 70lbs) which for one person for a year only allows 1/4 cup a day, and that's mostly for my instant oatmeal, and coffee occasionally, (powdered milk to substitute creamer) cause I'm storing some of that as well (freeze dried instant coffee) (cause as long as it's unopened, that doesn't go bad either) (unlike regular coffee). But, no, it's never good to just eat a lot of sugar, or have sugary foods/drinks in your diet, cause that's bad, and can give you diabetes, as another poster pointed out that has it, because that can be bad in a survival situation, as it could be difficult to get/find medicine. I cut out drinking any sugars in my diet last year, and I've been a whole lot better off for it, cause my doctor warned me I was starting to go down that route (diabetes) but now my blood sugars are always fine now since I've done that, and I'm no longer at risk of diabetes anymore now for right now, etc. I also cannot stress enough drinking water a lot, or learning to drink water a lot, as it might be all you have in a survival situation eventually, etc. And that better be clean water as well, or else, so you need to learn about that, etc.

Anyway, do your research, and continue learning. And PM/DM me anytime you want, ok.

Later/God Bless.

@JohnB445

Some good trade items in a survival situation are always good to trade for what you might need as well, etc. Things like, instant coffee, extra, I recommend bic lighters (I have a few boxes of 50) (and might get more, as people are going to need the ability to have fire, etc) (which is something else you should learn about, etc) (and learn how to do/have/make without lighters) extra personal water filters are going to be invaluable also, and I have extras of those, besides just the ones I have for my own personal use, etc (Sawyer water filters are good, and it's what I have/use) (just one will last one or two people a lifetime, and will never go bad, etc) (and they are portable/small/lightweight/easy to carry on your person, etc) and then, believe it or not, cigarettes and alcohol are going to be very good for trade also, and all of these things will act like currency in a survival situation, etc. And alcohol, if pure enough, or high enough proof, will have excellent medicinal uses as well, disinfecting/cleaning cuts and wounds and scrapes, that people are going to be getting a lot, and if not properly cleaned/disinfected, can lead to death in a situation like that, etc. I have a few bottles of everclear on hand for all of that, and might be getting some more (obviously, never goes bad, etc) (no, I don't drink, but that's not why I have it, etc) And there are other things as well, but that's a good list of some very practical things for now, etc. There is a ton to this or about this really, and I hardly know where to begin (or end, etc).

Anyway, God Bless.

People basically know nothing of what it's going to be like, etc. Gold, silver, paper money, digital currency, are all going to be completely useless in a situation like that (unless your going to start a fire with the paper money, lol) and besides people killing each other (and maybe eating each other, lol) (some of them maybe, etc) more people are probably going to die from a simple infected cut (or wound or scrape), or from drinking contaminated drinking water more than anything, etc.

Anyway, so learn about these things and how to survive them and outlast/outlive the rest of humanity, ok.

The collapse of society is no joke, etc.

The rich/elites already have plans/places to go underground and abandon the rest of us if they have to, or if it gets that bad, so don't expect any kind of help there, ok. We'll be on our own if it gets that bad.

And they'll probably take all of their silver and gold underground with them, lol. Until they can re-emerge into a time when it might be valuable again, lol. Insane twits, lol. I don't think it will ever be valuable again if that happens, etc. But I'm sure they'll try to take it with them anyway, etc.

God Bless.

Compressed towels or towelettes are nice, also good for trade if you have plenty, otherwise your always going to have to wipe with leaves or moss or something, so it's good to have plenty of those on hand, or at the ready, even if you can't keep enough of them to last forever and still have to resort to something much more like leaves or moss eventually.

Or I guess you could raid other places for non-useful to you towels or rags or clothing, and cut or rip that up into disposable rags probably. Some might even say wash those and re-use them maybe, but without always having soap, (something else to figure out also) (lots of soap that will last and won't go bad/non-useful/rancid) But and/or anyway, without that, or always having enough of that always, I don't recommend that really. It will probably be easier to just always find or make disposable rags out of other people's, no longer useful to them (because they will have died, or be dead) (or otherwise gone from that place) (to have died elsewhere a while ago probably) towels or rags or clothing.

This hasn't been mentioned but I think it's important to forge relationship with people you can trust and depend on. Shoring up connections sooner than later is ideal and practice serving one another now and building a community. I'm not a prepper or concerned about what if scenarios. But I believe in having a healthy larder and developing skills that enhance your value.

That's another subject you'll want to look into and be diligent. Consider the qualities that are less plentiful that will be important. Like medical skills, how to heal with herbs, foraging and so on. There was a survival show that reinforced the same. Most of the contestants had to quit because of food. No one anticipates the probability of others hunting or fishing and needing to have alternatives in nature they can live on. They always assume they'll have their horde.

With ai disrupting so much it's a good idea to work on alternative strategies for earnings. Needs are constant and if you have skills that are in demand you won't go without. And do an honest assessment of your area. Is it the ideal place to be or would another be better? I realized we needed to be in an environment where we could grow year round and made the decision to move. The unsettledness in the country has convinced close relations and friends to follow suit.

One of my focuses for 2026 is the tribe and we're finding our way back to one another. They have children as well and that's good. You want diversity in ages and abilities if possible. And unity in work ethic and development. When I told my best friend to start a business and gave her a plan she had a product to sell in two weeks because she understands the mission. That's what you want in your group. Be mindful of followthrough with your selections.

Pay attention to their response to challenges. Because a lot of people crack under pressure and a difficult situation can be worse if everyone's melting down around you. Make sure you have people who are levelheaded and calm. The pandemic was a good time to observe that. If you're contemplating people you know reference that period.

~bella

@JohnB445

My plan is to shelter in place for a year, and then move to a bugout location/camping location after that, where there will be hunting and fishing/water sources nearby and probably won't be a lot of other people around after that. Also will grow a garden after that all of the time or every year after that probably, etc. Me and a buddy of mine are planning on doing this together if something happens, etc, and maybe we'll eventually try to start a community from there sometime after that maybe, etc. But I'm very, very glad that I won't be trying to do all of this completely alone though, etc, cause that's important, or can be important.

God Bless.