The Pros of TVP and Plant-Based Meats For Long-Term Food Storage

 

The Pros To TVP and Other Plant-Based Meats for Long-Term Food Storage

TVP was widely used for camping food in my youth, as it is light weight, and simply needs rehydration.  A solid, complete protein that can be added to chili's, stews, or anything, including your morning oats for a boost of high quality protein.

These days, TVP is shunned as a 'processed food' that many believe is genetically modified, when it isn't.  Less than 10% of the production of soy foods is used directly in human consumption. and it not GMO.  Actually all that GMO soy is being fed to those cows!

TVP, Butler Soy Curls (another form of soy that are super easy and fun to cook with), and wheat gluten (another excellent high protein food) are the quintessentially ideal foods for long-term food storage.  They are made from the whole bean, and are great sources of all the amino acids.  To prepare, simply rehydrate in water or broth before cooking.  They can be pan-fried, baked, air-fried, simmered, stewed or whatever you like!

TVP and plant-based meats are super affordable, especially relative to the real costs of raising and butchering animals for food.  

We paid .23¢ per ounce for a 25 pound sack of Bob's Red Mill TVP granules, which are great added to Spaghetti Marinara, Chili, or as mentioned above, cooked with oats for a higher protein porridge.  

As of April 2024, Butler Soy Curls are .95¢ per ounce when purchased as a 3-pack.  They are made in the USA and non-GMO.  Every 30g of dry soy curls contains 11g of protein.  

Every ounce (28g) of wheat gluten has 105 calories, and 21g of protein.

Every 1/4 cup or 24g of dry TVP granules contains only 80 calories, and 2 mg of sodium with 12g of protein, 4g of fiber, 594g of potassium; 15% of the RDI (recommended daily intake) for iron, and 18% for magnesium.  

Of course, whole grains and beans, lentils and legumes are also ideal basic staples that can be stored long-term.  Whole grains are especially durable.  If you have extra freezer space, you can purchase rice and beans, and keep them frozen until ready to use.

Whole grains and beans, lentils and legumes are nutritional powerhouses.  Stock up on your favorites.  Pasta, especially noodles made from whole wheat, chickpeas or red lentils are another great affordable, nutritious ~ SASSY plant-based staple foods for long-term storage.

I know the mind may look at these foods and think, "No thank you, that's not 'real' food."  Yet, these foods don't need to be kept frozen, and won't spoil animal 'meats' aka dead corpses.

I will address the topic of 'fake meats,' the original use of the word 'meat,'  and a few of our favorite plant-based meats in my next post. 

Read the series of SASSY ~ Super Affordable, Simple, Satisfying & YUMMY ~ Vegan Plant-Based meals:

• The SASSY Plant-Based Diet That's Sustainable Can Include Oils, Part 1 
• SASSY Vegan Plant-Based Meals FREE of Current Food Fears Including Processed Foods
• Long-Term Food Storage - A Short Story About Food Prepping Paranoia