Special dietary needs during emergencies

01 — Diabetes and emergency food planning

Consistent carbohydrate counts, protein at every meal, blood sugar monitoring supplies, and a quick-acting glucose source. These are the non-negotiables.

Diabetes management depends on predictable meals and reliable monitoring. A disruption threatens both. Stress alone can raise blood glucose levels, and irregular eating patterns during an outage can cause dangerous swings in either direction. The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes prepare for emergencies with the same seriousness as their daily management.

• Stock foods with consistent, known carbohydrate counts. Canned soups, crackers with nutrition labels, measured portions of rice or oats. The goal is to be able to estimate carbohydrate intake even without a kitchen scale or fresh ingredients.
• Include protein at every meal to slow glucose absorption and reduce post-meal spikes. Canned tuna, peanut butter, canned beans, and nuts are all shelf-stable protein sources.
• Avoid relying on high-sugar emergency rations (candy bars, sweetened drinks, some commercial emergency food bars) as meal replacements. These cause rapid blood sugar spikes followed by crashes.
• Store at least a week's worth of diabetes supplies: oral medications, insulin (if used), syringes or pen needles, test strips, lancets, a blood glucose meter with extra batteries, and a quick-acting glucose source (glucose tablets, juice boxes, or regular soda) for hypoglycemia.
• Keep a written record of all medications, dosages, and your prescribing physician's contact information in your emergency kit.

02 — Infant formula during an outage

Ready-to-feed formula is the safest option. If powdered formula is the only option, use boiled and cooled water or commercially bottled water.

If powdered formula is the only option, the CDC guidance is:

• If tap water is unsafe or uncertain, use commercially bottled water to mix formula.
• If bottled water is unavailable, boil water for 1 minute (3 minutes at altitudes above 6,500 feet), then let it cool for about 5 minutes before mixing with formula. The water should still be hot enough to kill any bacteria in the powder (at least 158°F).
• Test the temperature on your wrist before feeding. It should feel warm, not hot.
• Use prepared formula within 1 hour of starting a feeding and within 2 hours of preparation. During a power outage without refrigeration, prepare fresh formula for every feeding.
• Wash all bottles and nipples with safe water and soap before each use. If safe water is unavailable for washing, use disposable cups or feeding supplies.

Store at least a 3-day supply of your infant's formula. Check your emergency kit monthly to ensure you have enough formula for your baby's current needs, as intake increases as babies grow. Replace formula that is approaching its "Use By" date, which is the only federally required safety date on food products.

03 — Elderly nutrition and access

The barrier is often not nutrition knowledge but physical access: cans that cannot be opened, food that requires cooking, and packaging that requires grip strength.

An elderly household member living alone or sheltering without assistance during a disruption faces a specific set of challenges that younger, able-bodied adults do not. Reduced grip strength, limited mobility, medications that require food intake, and dental conditions that limit what can be chewed all affect emergency food planning.

• Stock pull-top cans and pouches that do not require a can opener. Many canned soups, vegetables, fruits, and tuna are available with pull-ring lids.
• Include soft, ready-to-eat foods: applesauce, pudding cups, yogurt (shelf-stable), canned fruit in juice, mashed potatoes (instant), and oatmeal (instant packets requiring only hot water).
• Store shelf-stable nutritional drinks (Ensure, Boost, or store-brand equivalents) as a reliable source of calories, protein, and vitamins when chewing or cooking is difficult.
• Keep a manual can opener with an ergonomic grip in the emergency kit, even if most items are pull-top. Some canned goods still require one.
• If medications must be taken with food, ensure the food supply includes items that can be eaten without cooking or preparation. A missed medication because "there was nothing to eat it with" is a preventable problem.

04 — Pet food storage

At least a 3-day supply of your pet's regular food in an airtight container, along with feeding bowls and any medications.

Pets cannot eat most human emergency food safely, and a sudden change in diet during an already stressful situation can cause digestive distress. The FEMA emergency kit guidance explicitly includes pet food, water, and medications as part of household preparedness.

• Store at least a 3-day supply (ideally 2 weeks) of your pet's regular food. Dry kibble stores longer and more compactly than canned food.
• Keep food in an airtight container to prevent spoilage, pest access, and moisture damage. Original bags are not airtight once opened.
• Include collapsible or portable feeding and water bowls.
• Store any pet medications with the food supply, along with a written record of the medication name, dosage, and veterinarian contact information.
• Rotate pet food on the same schedule as human food. Check dates and replace as needed.

05 — Food allergy safety during disruptions

Cross-contamination, shared utensils, and unfamiliar food are the primary risks. Know where the epinephrine is at all times.

• Keep all allergen-containing products completely separated from allergen-free food. In a shared kitchen or shelter environment, this may require a designated shelf, bin, or cooler for the allergic person's food.
• Use separate utensils, cutting boards, and preparation surfaces for allergen-free meals. Trace amounts of allergens can trigger reactions.
• Read every label, including labels on foods your household normally considers safe. Manufacturers change formulations, and emergency food purchases may include unfamiliar brands with different ingredients.
• When accepting donated food or eating at a shelter, ask about ingredients before consuming anything. If ingredients cannot be verified, do not eat it.
• Store the epinephrine auto-injector in a known, accessible location. Ensure that every adult in the household knows where it is and how to use it. If the auto-injector has expired and no replacement is available, FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education) advises using the expired device and calling 911 immediately.