September is national preparedness month!

I was reading another message board about the TV show , Doomsday Preppers.  They were laughing about a guy that was storing bugs for a source of protein (*yuk*).  First of all, I'm not a doomsday prepper.  But, did you ever think of what would happen if there ever was a major disaster type of event... just not as extreme?  I'm talking about a major earthquake or hurricane (remember Japan, Katrina and Haiti?) not the end of the world.  What would FEMA or the Red Cross bring us to eat?  Could we eat it?  Would it make us sick?  Would it provide us the nutrition we need for our bodies need considering our altered anatomy?  I'm not talking about a fear of gaining weight.   I'm talking about are we physically able to eat a plate of spaghetti with meat sauce with a buttered roll that is being served by the Red Cross food truck?  I'm pretty sure it would taste good but I'm also pretty sure I would not feel well after eating even part of it. 
I think it's a great idea to prepare for an emergency.  Even FEMA, the CDC, and the Red Cross recommend preparing for an emergency.  FEMA recommends up to 2 weeks of stored nonperishable food in a pandemic situation.  Definitely something to think about!

Living in Colorado, we always have to be prepared to be snowed in during the winter - I always have cans of chili, salmon, tuna etc in my pantry.   I'd be fine for a week or two, which I think is probably enough for any emergency in this part of the country.

I honestly don't think we're any more precious than anyone else in an emergency - once we're on a full food diet - and if we are, then it's our responsiblity to prepare - NOT expect the Red Cross or other agency to cater to our needs!!!

I completely agree!    We should all be prepared to fend for ourselves.  I'm directing this at a unique demographic that doesn't believe that anything bad is going to happen.  There are so many people who never give it a thought or, if they do, think the Red Cross or the Feds are going to come in and take care of everything.  My own daughter, in a very northern state, doesn't believe it's necessary to have more than three days of anything on hand and she has a one year old.   As far as the full food diet.  Yes, I suppose you can say I'm on a full food diet as I'm  5 months post op.  But,  I do have issues with food that I've never had before.  There are some things I just can't eat anymore.  Bread and pasta both give me problems.  I know there are lots of other post ops out there like me.  My point is, if you have special needs, take care to prepare in advance to take care of yourself!

Agreed .....We here have survived the sars and the huge power outage ...lasted a week and a huge city stopping Ice storm that also caused extreme power outages not to mention a winter storm they had to bring in the army to help dig us out .....These events are few and far between but none the less they happen and we should be prepared.  My brother in law calls me an apocalyptic shopper  when I was living with them between us we had 10 kids in one house .....I paid for half the groceries and I will bet I always spent way more to STOCK the shelves.  It pays to be prepared ...so I get it ...and no I'm not a dooms day nut either just want to make sure I have for my family when and if the time comes     

Good for you!!  I grew up in the northern Minnesota so I know what you're talking about.  My daughter thinks my car "emergency kit" is a joke because besides the normal flashlight, first aid kit, etc., I have TP and protein bars and a couple of bottles of water...she just doesn't get it!

I see you're a new RNY'er.  Don't forget to stock a few extra protein shakes or bag of protein powder.    I hope you're doing well and adjusting to your new anatomy. 

Take Care!

I am certainly prepared for any disaster that traps me in my home for any amount of time so I don't worry about that. However, if said disaster completely wipes out my home--like say my house is leveled by a hurricane, given where I live--then my preparations mean **** and I WOULD need to be concerned about my ability to eat what the Red Cross and others provide. So I don't think it's entirely unreasonable to worry about that even given the extremeness of such a situation.

That said I don't actually worry about that sort of thing, lol.

I am however slightly concerned about what happens if I'm infected with a Zombie virus with my RNY. Will I be able to tolerate brains with my altered anatomy? I want to be able to hang in there until they find a cure!!

I think I would be able to eat at least some of the food provided by the Red Cross or whatever agency, although it might not be food that made me feel my best and may not be the best for my health.  I can eat pasta, at least in small amounts, although it doesn't make my tummy feel too good.  I could eat the meat sauce, although I am a vegetarian and would only eat meat if it was necessary for survival.  I wouldn't necessarily get the nutrition my body needs on that diet, but hopefully I wouldn't be on that diet for very long.  I doubt I would experience any serious negative health effects, probably I would just not be very comfortable.

I am totally not prepared for any type of disaster and it's something I think about from time to time and mean to get around to doing but so far I haven't actually done it.  I think having some protein powder or protein bars and an extra supply of vitamins is important, because then at least we'd be getting the basics that our bodies need.

I'm totally on board with the extra protein and vitamins even though we'd all be okay for the short term - but why not prepare to be a little more comfortable? In stressful situations, it's important that we stay healthy and strong.  When I haven't eaten very well for a few days, I really feel it.  If something really extreme happens and what we've put together for a disaster is unacessable, there is nothing we can do about...we eat the pasta/bread and not feel so good and maybe sit in the dark.  We tried.  

Take a look at the FEMA and Red Cross emergency planning websites. For most people it's more a matter of organizing some of the things you probably already have in your home.  I have friends (Feds/law enforcment)  that went to New Orleans after Katrina and the stories they told me are what made me decide to plan ahead.