While it may be possible to survive up to two months at a time without food, it’s not going to be an easy process.
You’ll begin to feel the negative side effects of starvation after only one day and it’ll only get worse from there. Some of the most common side effects are dizziness, fatigue, stomach pains, emotional distress, and loss of concentration. Mostly because you’ll be thinking about food.
In order to avoid these negative side effects, you’re going to need to consume a certain amount of calories a day. But how much food does a person need per day to survive?
On a long-term basis, the average person requires a minimum of 1,200 calories a day to survive. On a short-term basis, a person can survive on nothing for 1-2 months as long as they live a sedentary lifestyle. The amount of calories each person needs depends on their height, age, gender, activity level, and body composition.
Continue reading to learn more about how much food a person needs per day to survive.
Daily Calorie Intake for Survival
Now, if you’re in the middle of the desert or camping out in a shady grove waiting for rescue, chances are you’re not counting calories. And even if you wanted to, you probably don’t have the means.
But it’s worth examining what the baseline calorie intake should be for survival.
We’ve all heard that the baseline number of calories we should intake per day is 2,000. These calories should consist of a healthy balance of carbs, fats, protein, fruits, and vegetables.
The 2,000 is an average, and each individual has their distinct dietary needs. For example, bodybuilders and strongmen consume between 8,000 and 10,000 a day just to maintain their muscle mass, while other people might operate on a calorie deficit to lose weight.
However, it’s clear the minimum number of calories a person should consume each day is around 1,200. While consuming such a low number of calories isn’t sustainable, you can survive on this kind of diet for months or even years.
But what kind of foods should you be eating?
Types of Survival Food
Obviously, if you’re forced into a situation where you don’t have hardly any food, you might not have a choice of what to eat. And depending on your environment, you might not be able to scavenge or hunt for nutritious food.
That’s why it’s important to pack survival food if you’re planning on going camping or hiking, or even on an extended trip, like a hike across the Appalachian Trail.
Foods that don’t have to be cooked are great for emergency food kits because you might be stuck without power or means to boil water. A lot of MREs require hot water to prepare, so they’re not super great if you’re in a life-or-death situation.
When in doubt, stick with easy-to-eat foods that satisfy multiple food groups. We’ll give some examples:
Protein, Carbs, and Fat: The Essential Survival Foods
When prepping for a disaster, or even just a casual outdoor adventure, be sure to consider the three high-energy food groups for survival.
Protein is great for improving your body’s muscle mass, reducing your hunger, and healing structural ailments (cuts, scrapes, broken bones, etc.)
Carbohydrates provide long-lasting energy for your body and brain, while also regulating digestion and fueling essential bodily functions.
Fats help your body store energy and absorb nutrients from other foods.
Choose foods that have a healthy balance of these three food groups, because they’ll help you survive in the long run.
Some essential food items include:
- Jerky (beef, pork, elk, turkey, etc.) is high in protein.
- Peanut butter (or PB powder) has essential fats and vitamin E, while also lasting a long time.
- Honey keeps forever, while also storing necessary sugars and nutrients.
- Powdered milk will give you protein, fat, and vitamin D, while also lasting up to 25 years in a stable condition.
- Canned tuna or salmon contain high levels of protein and omega 3 fats.
Fibrous Foods
Fiber is often an overlooked nutrient and is associated with going number two, and it’s true. Foods with high levels of fiber will help you go to the bathroom better, but fiber does so much more than that.
When you’re in survival mode, fiber can help you maintain a better weight, lower your cholesterol, and regulate your blood sugar levels.
Fibrous foods to pack in your backpack include:
- Canned or dried beans (lentils, black beans, pinto, etc.)
- Nuts (almonds, peanuts, cashews, etc.)
- Dried figs, prunes, or dates (the sorbitol in these fruits can aid digestion and regulate body sugar)
How Much Food Do You Need To Survive?
At the end of the day, how much food a person needs to survive depends on a lot of factors. Current body weight, medical conditions, fitness, the environment, the climate, and the length of time you’ll be eating the bare minimum all play a part in a person’s survival.
Nothing beats a good balance of protein, fats, carbs, and at least 1,200 calories per day. In a pinch, you can survive on less, but it’s all about the quality of the food you’re eating.
A lot of survival experts claim it’s better to already have a food source prepared in case of an emergency, like a survival food kit, rather than foraging for your own food. There’s solid reasoning behind this, because many plants, fungi, and insects might seem tasty, but will actually end up doing more harm than good.
Not everyone has the luxury of loading up on MREs, so we fly by the philosophy that preparedness is more than just what you bring in your backpack, it’s your survival know-how. Yeah, it might be advantageous to have some protein bars and beans in your bag, but you should also know what food items you can hunt or scavenge to supplement your supplies.
