Nutrition Experts Advise Stockpiling Non-Perishable Foods Amid Super El Niño Concerns

Britons have been advised to stockpile food in preparation for a potential Super El Niño event. Dame Angela Eagle, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), stated that having a supply of food could be beneficial before emergency services are able to reach affected areas. Nutrition experts Richard Kirwan and Graeme Close from Liverpool John Moores University have outlined specific food items recommended for a survival period of several weeks.

These experts suggest focusing on non-perishable foods that do not require cooking, emphasizing that current government guidance is vague. Their recommendations prioritize protein and carbohydrates as key components of an emergency food supply.

Protein Sources

For protein, nutritionists recommend stocking tinned meats such as chicken, stewed steak, or meatballs, along with tinned fish. Sardines in tomato sauce are highlighted for their lycopene content, an antioxidant linked to reduced inflammation. For those who do not consume meat, tinned beans are suggested as a suitable alternative. Long-life milk or skimmed milk powder are also advised for their calcium and protein contributions.

Carbohydrate Essentials

Carbohydrates are identified as a primary energy source for an emergency stockpile. If electricity and water remain available, dried options like brown rice, wholegrain pasta, porridge oats, and wholemeal couscous are recommended. Microwave pouches of rice or grains are also suitable. The experts stress that choosing wholegrain varieties provides more fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which aids in regularity, satiety, and blood sugar stabilization.

A variety of canned and jarred vegetables, including carrots, green beans, potatoes, tomatoes, sweetcorn, beans, peas, and lentils, should accompany these carbohydrate sources. Whole nuts and seeds are also noted as a shelf-stable snack option.

Comfort Foods and Supplements

To combat the monotony of consuming a limited food supply, the inclusion of some comfort foods in small quantities is suggested. This could include canned rice pudding, custard, canned fruit in juice, jam, honey, and biscuits. These items can also provide additional fiber and minerals.

While a well-stocked pantry should provide most nutrients, the experts advise keeping a multivitamin and mineral supplement on hand. They explain that diets consisting primarily of canned, ready-to-eat, or dried foods may be deficient in certain nutrients, particularly vitamin C, which is sensitive to processing. Vitamin C is crucial for immunity and maintaining healthy connective tissue, and can also aid iron absorption.

Water Supply

Finally, the recommendation includes stocking unopened bottles of water. Experts suggest approximately three to four liters per person per day, with additional water needed for cooking and sanitation purposes.

El Niño is a climate phenomenon characterized by the warming of the ocean surface in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. It can trigger disruptions in global temperature, winds, and precipitation patterns. It is one phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, which also includes the cooler La Niña phase and a neutral phase.