Estimated read time: 7-8 minutes
If you're like most people, whenever there's a natural disaster somewhere in the world, a disruption to food supply, or the economy has some wobbles, there's a little voice in the back of your head that asks, "What will I do if this happens to me and my family?"
There's a good reason for this. Consider what's occurred just within the last three years: global conflicts, empty store shelves, lack of basic food availability, multiple weather-related emergencies, and troubling economic concerns.
Whether you call it emergency preparedness, call it a food storage plan, or you even call yourself a full-blown "prepper," there's never been a better time to start working on a plan to take care of you and your loved ones.
Long-time nutrition executive Joel Bikman, the co-founder of an innovative new health and weight loss company he's created with his scientist brother, agrees with the need to be prepared.
"Everyone should have some nutrient-dense food on hand in case of an emergency and also have a long-term food storage plan to take care of their families," Bikman said. "Unfortunately, most people don't even know where to start, or are already doing the wrong things."
"In emergency situations, you need to have the proper fuel for your body," Bikman explained. "Yet many people make the same five mistakes over and over again."
Mistake #1: Food that's nutritionally incomplete and unhealthy
According to Bikman, the most dangerous issue with most people's food storage is that it's nutritionally unbalanced.
"Traditional food storage is often comprised of big buckets full of carbohydrates," Bikman said. "But many people don't realize that there aren't any essential carbohydrates, yet you must have the essential amino acids from protein, and the essential fatty acids from healthy fats."
Bikman explained that while carbohydrates have been a shelf-stable and historically popular choice, the outdated approach to nutrition is real trouble. "You can survive for a time with a carb-heavy diet, but your health will suffer and you certainly won't thrive," Bikman said. "Your metabolic health, gut health and brain health will each measurably decline; all at a time when you need to be at your best."
Mistake #2: Storing food you don't currently use and enjoy
Bikman said there's an insightful exercise to gauge the state of your food and emergency preparedness: Just look in your fridge and pantry. Are there items that you've stocked up on, yet you rarely eat them or they're expired?
"Now consider what's in your 72-hour kit and your long-term food storage," he said. "Odds are that you're sitting on containers full of wheat and beans, yet you don't prepare and eat those in your daily life. Even if it won't expire for 20 years, experts tell us that you won't eat them for any period of time, even in an emergency situation. You need to store food you actually use on a daily basis."
Mistake #3: Impractical, inconvenient or bulky food
Beyond the unpalatable food, Bikman emphasizes that another challenge with traditional emergency planning is the very packaging it's often stored in.
"It's cheaper for the companies to put it in big cans or huge buckets," Bikman said. "But they're heavy, take up a ton of space, don't travel well, and often aren't resealable. For emergency preparedness and food storage, you want the most nutrient-dense food possible, that is portable, compact, and can be resealed."
Mistake #4: Spending too much on food storage
Another area of concern for Bikman is the exorbitant cost for traditional food storage; even seeing people go into debt to purchase large food storage packages all at once.
"Ideally, you'd invest in food storage over time, with food that you actually consume on a regular basis," Bikman said. "This will help ensure that you're truly rotating your food storage and keeping it fresh. Fortunately, there are some wonderful programs and companies that allow you to build up your food storage on a monthly basis."
Mistake #5: Food that's difficult to prepare
Bikman said busy schedules and convenience undo good intentions when it comes to food and overall health.
"The best food storage includes the food you already use, is nutritionally complete, and is simple to make," Bikman said. "The last thing you want is to be stuck in an emergency situation and not have the time or needed tools to be able to feed your loved ones."
Cracking the code for emergency preparedness and food storage
Even with all the information that Bikman and others share, people around the world constantly ask what they should do for their health.
"Ideally, we all would have the knowledge, time, discipline and budget to plan, purchase and prepare perfect meals. But it simply doesn't happen; people get busy, they get stressed and they make unhealthy choices that derail their health goals," Bikman said. Now if that happens in their daily lives, imagine what can happen in an emergency situation."
It became apparent to Bikman that he needed to be part of the solution to help people achieve their best health more quickly, and especially to assist those who don't always have the time, knowledge or discipline to eat healthy. In response, Bikman and the co-founding team of metabolic, nutrition, and industry experts recently created HLTH Code Complete Meal.
Bikman said these carefully formulated meal shakes are designed to promote a healthy metabolism, gut health, brain health, even hair, skin and nail health. HLTH Code Complete Meal features an optimized, science-backed blend of protein, collagen, healthy fats, apple cider vinegar, probiotics, fiber, vitamins and minerals—with no added sugar or any artificial ingredients.
"HLTH Code Complete Meal is based on research, not fads," he said. "With just two scoops of powder and one cup of water, you can feel confident that you're getting optimal amounts of macro- and micro-nutrition to help you thrive, regardless of the situation you find yourself in."
The complete meal shakes are available in both a two-year shelf life for regular consumption and a new 20-year long-term food storage option.
"Customers are buying the new 20-year food storage option for themselves and as gifts for their adult children," Bikman said. "They really appreciate the peace of mind that comes with such a unique food storage option."
Rave reviews from real customers
"I've been drinking this for five months to break my intermittent fast and I'm in my best shape… I can't recommend this enough!! Plus it has a great flavor!! What's not to love??" said one reviewer.
Another reviewer shared, "The results have been phenomenal! Thank you HLTH Code. The shakes are yummy but the health results are miraculous."
Yet another satisfied customer wrote, "They are tasty. In addition, they fill me up and keep me full for the entire afternoon."
Why HLTH Code works so well
According to Bikman, the best health starts with the right blend of nutrition. Increased energy, feeling more vibrant, a stronger immune system, a clearer mind, improved gut health, and an improved appearance are some of the benefits from improving one's nutrition.
"When you limit unneeded carbohydrates and consume the best sources of protein and healthy fats on a daily basis, the miracle of the human body can really start to happen," Bikman said. "You'll see and feel a real difference in your life. Why wouldn't you want to fill your pantry, 72-hour kits and food storage with the easiest, healthiest food imaginable?"
No-risk, satisfaction guaranteed
If you're nervous about trying something new and making changes to your nutrition and food storage plan, don't be. Bikman stands by his HLTH Code Complete Meal shake and is willing to guarantee your satisfaction.
"The shakes are delicious, they help optimize your health in an unprecedented way, and each package is shelf-stable for up to two years with our regular product, and up to 20 years with our new long-term food storage option," Bikman said.
Indeed, if you've been looking for improved wellness, healthy weight management, and a way to responsibly build your emergency preparedness and food storage for yourself and as a gift for your loved ones, then HLTH Code Complete Meal could well be your answer.
