Most preppers have a list of what they think are the best survival foods ever. Well, the good news is most everyone will need to add a new one to the top of the list!
Sweet potatoes are downright delicious. However, most people don’t think about them until around Thanksgiving. Which is a shame, since you can (and should) eat these all year-round. And once you realize why they’re so amazing for a crisis, you’ll want to stock up. Pronto.
Rice and beans get all the hype. And you probably have them ready to go in your stockpile right now. But the truth is your disaster preparedness plan isn’t quite complete until you discover these reasons…
Why Sweet Potatoes Are Some of The Best Survival Foods
Long Shelf Life
Fresh sweet potatoes will last about a month. However, canning them extends this shelf-life to a full year. This is huge, considering the average prepper will rotate their stockpile every six months or so.
Good news – you can also dehydrate your sweet potatoes to make them last way longer! Here’s a video from a fellow prepper showing you how it’s done:
Outstanding Nutritional Value
Sweet potatoes are insanely good for you. For one, they’re full of fiber and important nutrients. They’re also an excellent source of vitamins A & C, protein, calcium, and iron. Plus, they’re a great source of carbohydrates, which your body needs (especially during a crisis) to help keep your energy up. At a time when fresh veggies are hard to come by, you can depend on sweet potatoes to keep your body functioning properly.
Plus, for those worrying about carbohydrates – never fear. Sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index than white potatoes. This means they won’t spike your blood sugar levels nearly as drastically. This means they provide a steady amount of energy, and then that energy gently tapers off (rather than plummeting). This is HUGE during an emergency, when you’ll need every ounce of that energy to focus, move and stay alive.
They’re Just Plain Delicious
Whether you boil, fry, bake, dehydrate, etc. one truth stays the same. Sweet potatoes are delicious. And if you don’t believe me, visit your nearest restaurant, try their sweet potato fries and then try to tell me I’m wrong.
This vegetable is incredibly versatile and can be eaten lots of different ways. For some recipe ideas check out the video below (although this is just a starting point – there are way more options than just these!):
Storing Them Is A Breeze
Good news! Sweet potatoes are pretty easy and convenient to store. And once they’re in your stockpile you’ll have a hard time not eating them!
A pressure canner is a great tool to help keep sweet potatoes from spoiling. Check out the video below to learn more about this process:
Keep in mind you can also freeze the sweet potatoes. Make sure to wash, peel and boil them first. Also, add a bit of lemon juice after boiling to them to help keep them as fresh as possible. Once they’re completely cool, place them in an airtight, resealable bag and place them in the freezer.
You Can Grow Them Yourself
Here’s a cool fact. Sweet potatoes can be grown at home in buckets. This is excellent news in an SHTF situation, seeing as you can keep them indoors and away from looters. You can also quickly load the buckets into the car if you unexpectedly need to get outta dodge.
Add sweet potatoes to your prep list today – they really are some of the best survival foods out there!
