Quick Answer
Estimate your daily protein needs, multiply by 365, and plan for a 20-50% increase for prep stockpiling to account for potential shortages. This ensures a minimum of 1-2 years' worth of protein for your emergency food supply.
Calculating Daily Protein Needs
To calculate your daily protein needs, consider your age, sex, weight, activity level, and overall health. For a basic estimate, use the following daily protein intake guidelines from the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA): 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day for sedentary adults, 1.2-1.6 grams per kilogram for active adults, and 1.6-2.2 grams per kilogram for athletes or those who are physically demanding. For example, a 154-pound (70 kg) sedentary adult would need about 56 grams of protein per day.
Stockpiling for a Year
Multiply your daily protein needs by 365 to determine your annual protein requirements. For a sedentary 154-pound adult, this would be approximately 20,420 grams or 20.4 kilograms of protein per year. To account for potential shortages and ensure a minimum of 1-2 years’ worth of protein, plan for a 20-50% increase, which translates to 24.5-30.5 kilograms of protein per year. This can be achieved by stockpiling protein-rich foods such as beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, dried meats, and protein powder.
Prepper Pantry Planning
When planning your prepper pantry, consider a mix of protein sources to maintain a balanced diet. Allocate 10-20% of your total food storage space for protein-rich foods. For a one-year supply, this translates to a minimum of 2.45-4.9 kilograms of protein per month. Consider a rotation system to ensure older stock is consumed before newer items, and store protein-rich foods in airtight containers to maintain freshness and shelf life.
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