Survival Food: 5 Merits of Sugar in an Emergency

Dietitians and dentists tend to frown on empty calories, like the ones found in table sugar. But who cares once you step out of the everyday world and into an emergency scenario. You'll find that any calorie is a good calorie.

This multi-use food source can last for decades if it is kept dry and out of reach of pests. Food-grade plastic buckets with a Mylar liner bag and a couple of oxygen absorber packets will do the trick, unless you are plagued by rodents. If mice, rats, and other gnawing beasts are a possibility, swap the plastic bucket for a metal tin. Sugar can be used in so many ways, most notably to add valuable calories to mediocre food supplies. It can also turn hot water and wild tea ingredients into a delicious cup of tea, or turn your acorn porridge into something you won't mind eating.
First Aid**
Keep a few sugar packs in your first-aid kit to help treat folks who are diabetic or hypoglycemic. If their blood sugar levels are crashing, they can eat this small amount of sugar to keep from losing consciousness.

Sugar is often used with salt in brines and meat-curing recipes. While the salt does most of the work to prevent spoilage, sugar can also hinder the growth of many bacteria that are responsible for food poisoning. Sugar is found in countless pickle recipes and preserves, as well as the traditional cured ham formula.
Sugar, water and yeast are all you need to create alcohol. Use a jug or some other container, filled with your fermentables and plugged with a wine lock. Then play the waiting game for the booze to form. You can use regular table sugar, or any other sugar to create your home brew masterpieces. For good tasting results, follow a home brew or home wine making recipe, and incorporate fruit, malt, or other brewing ingredients.
Fire Starter**
Come up with some potassium permanganate for your survival kit, add it to some sugar, and you'll have the makings of the easiest friction fire you've ever tried. Mix the dry sugar and the permanganate powder in almost equal portions. Use almost a teaspoon of sugar and a little more than a teaspoon of permanganate. Grind these two against a hard surface with a stick, and have your tinder standing by. Get the ratio right, generate enough friction, and you'll get enough of a reaction to light the tinder.

Tell us your most creative ideas and reasons to carry sugar by leaving us a comment.