Hurricane Preparation: Healthy Foods to Stock Up On

When preparing for a looming hurricane, many people head straight for the junk food aisle. Families stock their pantries up with potato chips, cookies, and sugary snacks. Although your kids will love it, your waistline probably will not. My experience during hurricanes has taught me that whenever I am bored with no power and nothing to do--I reach for the junk food. Most of the other people I know do the same thing, and we all end up coming out of a hurricane with a few extra pounds packed on.

During the last hurricane threat, I was determined not to fall into the same pattern, so I avoided the junk food completely and I didn't gain any weight. I stocked up on healthier foods, I used some will power, and didn't eat when I was bored.

Here is a list of healthy hurricane foods

1) Fruits and veggies:
Fresh fruits and vegetables don't need to be refrigerated so stock up in the days prior to the storm. It is nice to have something healthy to eat that is fresh and that doesn't come out of a can or a bag. Plus, they are great low calorie snacks.

2) Fat Free Pudding Snacks
The individual servings of pudding do not need to be refrigerated and they are only about 100 calories. They are a good choice to satisfy a chocolate craving and they are pretty tasty.

3) Cereal
Dry cereal is a great snack as long as it is not a sugary cereal. Good choices to keep on hand are Cheerios, Special K, and Product 19.

4) Peanut Butter and Crackers
Peanut butter does have a lot of fat in it, but it can be a healthy way to get protein. Put a dab between two crackers and you have a mini peanut butter sandwich.

5) Tuna
I am a vegetarian so tuna is not on my menu, but for those of you who eat it, it's a great way to get healthy protein. You can mix it with a packet of low fat mayonnaise (since the packets don't need to be refrigerated) and eat it on some crackers.

6) Canned Veggies
Although they are nothing compared to the real thing, canned vegetables can also be tasty. My favorites are canned asparagus and mushrooms-they aren't too bad cold. Put them on a pita with some low-fat mayonnaise and you have a nice veggie sandwich.

7) Nuts
Nuts in moderation are healthy, but don't overdo it. Keep some on hand during a hurricane because they are a good snack. My favorites are pistachios and cashews.

8) Whole wheat bread
Make sure that you buy some whole wheat bread, wraps, or pitas so that you can make sandwiches with tuna or any other canned meat or fish, or just use it for veggie sandwiches.

9) Pretzels
Instead of the high fat potato chips, make sure that you bring home some pretzels. They are very low on fat and they can easily satisfy your craving for a crunchy snack. But you won't have all of the fat and calories.

10) Low fat breakfast or granola bars
Breakfast bars can satisfy a craving for something sweet, but they are much healthier than cookies or candy. Be careful, though because some granola bars are very high in fat and sugar, so check the label.