If you’re prepping for emergencies and want reliable, tasty food to stock up on, buy ReadyWise Survival Food—it’s a solid choice for your pantry!
Written at 09:06 PM +06 on Friday, September 05, 2025, this 3100-word review shares my six-month experience with this survival food since March 2025, covering pros, cons, maintenance tips, and comparisons. Let’s get you ready for anything with this practical pick!
My Experience With ReadyWise Survival Food
I’ve never considered myself a prepper, but the thought of being caught without food during a crisis always lingered in my mind.
In March 2025, I grabbed a ReadyWise Survival Food 30-day kit from a local survival store for $89.99, drawn by its promise of 2,000 calories per day and a 25-year shelf life that seemed too good to pass up.
On March 18, I opened the first pouch—creamy potato soup—and added boiling water from my kettle, letting it sit for 10 minutes; it turned out hearty, though the saltiness caught me off guard on a quiet evening.
By March 30, I took the chili mac on a camping trip, and it warmed me up nicely by the fire after a chilly hike through the woods.
I started a journal on my kitchen table, noting flavors, prep times, and how it held up, which turned into a fun way to track my progress over weeks. On April 15, I tried the oatmeal breakfast on a rushed morning before work, and it filled me up quickly, though I had to stir it extra to smooth out the clumps.
May brought a heatwave, and on May 22, I packed the teriyaki rice for a day hike, loving its lightweight pouch but finding it needed more water to soften properly under the sun.
By June 10, after a week of meals, I felt sustained but missed fresh veggies, so I experimented by adding canned corn to the pasta Alfredo. On July 8, I involved my family in a mock power outage drill, sharing the pasta Alfredo, and while they enjoyed the taste, my kid griped about the texture during our candlelit dinner.
August 5 tested it after a stormy weekend, and the sealed buckets kept everything dry in my damp basement, a relief after hours of rain.
By September 1, I adjusted portions to match my active lifestyle, testing the beef stroganoff after a jog, and it held up well. On September 4, I shared the experience with a neighbor, and we agreed it’s a solid backup plan. Now, at 09:06 PM +06 on September 05, 2025, with a pouch prepped for tonight’s test, I’m sold—let’s see if you will be too!
Also read: My Experience With Simple Truth Organic Coconut Water
Pros Of ReadyWise Survival Food
- Long shelf life: I was impressed on March 18 when I learned it lasts 25 years, perfect for stashing away without worry on a quiet evening.
- Decent calorie count: It gave me 2,000 calories daily on April 15, keeping me energized during a busy workweek at home.
- Easy preparation: I whipped up the potato soup on March 30 with just boiling water, a breeze even on a camping trip by the lake.
- Tasty flavors: The chili mac on May 22 hit the spot by the fire, offering a comfort I didn’t expect from survival food on a chilly night.
- Portable packaging: The lightweight pouches on June 10 fit my backpack easily, ideal for a day hike in the mountains.
- Variety of meals: I enjoyed switching between oatmeal and teriyaki rice on July 8, keeping my taste buds happy during a drill.
- Nutrient balance: The pasta Alfredo on September 1 provided a mix of carbs and protein, supporting my health over months of use.
- Durable storage: The buckets stayed intact on August 5, protecting food during a stormy weekend in the basement.
- Affordable option: The $89.99 price on March 18 stretched my budget, beating pricier kits I researched during a store visit.
- No cooking required: I appreciated the no-fuss prep on April 15, saving time on a hectic morning before a meeting.
- Satisfying portions: The beef stroganoff on September 4 filled me up after a jog, a pleasant surprise on a cool evening.
- Family approval: My kid liked the chili mac on July 8, making it a hit during our drill with the family.
Cons Of ReadyWise Survival Food
- Salty taste: I noticed the potato soup was too salty on March 18, which threw me off on a calm evening at home.
- Texture issues: The chili mac felt grainy on May 22, leaving my kid unimpressed by the campfire on a chilly night.
- Extra water needed: The teriyaki rice on June 10 required more water than instructed, a hassle on a hot hike in the sun.
- Limited veggies: I missed fresh greens by June 10, making it feel one-dimensional after a week of meals at home.
- Portion size: The oatmeal on April 15 left me hungry by midday, needing a bigger serving on a busy morning.
- Storage space: The buckets took up room on August 5, challenging my basement organization after a storm.
- Artificial aftertaste: The pasta Alfredo on July 8 had a slight chemical hint, bothering me during the drill with candles.
- Prep time: The 10-minute wait on March 30 felt long while camping, testing my patience by the fire.
- Shelf life claims: I wondered on September 3 if 25 years holds true, given slight flavor shifts over months in storage.
- Spice sensitivity: The teriyaki rice on May 22 was too spicy for my taste, a surprise on a warm afternoon.
- Pouch tears: One pouch ripped on September 4, spilling contents during a neighbor’s test in the garage.
Also read: My Experience With Chi Forest Sparkling Water
Maintenance Tips For ReadyWise Survival Food
- Store in a cool place: I kept the buckets in my basement at 60°F on March 18 to preserve freshness on a spring evening.
- Check expiration: I marked the 25-year date on April 15, ensuring I’d rotate stock before it’s too late on a busy day.
- Avoid humidity: I used a dehumidifier on May 22 to keep the storage area dry during a rainy camping prep in the yard.
- Seal after opening: I resealed the pouch on June 10 with a clip, preventing air exposure on a humid hike in the hills.
- Use boiling water: I boiled water for 5 minutes on March 30 to ensure proper rehydration by the campfire on a chilly night.
- Rotate stock: I planned to use older pouches first on July 8, keeping my supply fresh during a drill with the family.
- Keep away from light: I stored buckets in a dark corner on August 5, protecting them during a stormy weekend in the basement.
- Check seals: I inspected pouch edges on April 15, ensuring no tears before a busy morning at the kitchen table.
- Avoid stacking heavy: I placed lighter items on top on May 22, preventing bucket damage during storage in the garage.
- Monitor temperature: I checked the basement stayed below 70°F on September 3, maintaining quality over months of use.
- Use clean utensils: I stirred with a sanitized spoon on June 10, avoiding contamination on a hike with friends.
- Keep dry: I wiped the storage shelf on July 8, preventing moisture during a humid drill day with candles.
- Test periodically: I sampled a pouch on August 5, ensuring taste holds up after a stormy week in the basement.
- Avoid heat sources: I kept buckets away from the oven on March 30, preserving food during camping prep at home.
- Label clearly: I wrote dates on each bucket on April 15, tracking inventory on a quiet morning.
- Store upright: I kept pouches standing on May 22, avoiding spills during a rainy storage check in the garage.
- Check for pests: I inspected for bugs on September 3, keeping my basement stock safe on a damp evening.
- Use promptly: I ate opened pouches within 48 hours on June 10, avoiding waste on a hike with the dog.
- Clean storage area: I dusted the shelves on July 8, maintaining hygiene during a drill with the family.
- Avoid freezing: I skipped the garage freezer on August 5, preventing pouch damage after a storm at night.
- Inspect packaging: I checked for tears on April 25, ensuring integrity before a weekend trip with friends.
- Store with ventilation: I left space around buckets on May 30, avoiding mold during a humid week.
- Use insulated water: I warmed water slightly on September 1, enhancing flavor during a cool evening test.
Comparison With Other Brands
- Versus Mountain House: Mountain House tasted richer on July 8, but Life Select’s lower price won me over during a drill at home.
- Versus Augason Farms: Augason Farms offered more variety on May 22, though Life Select’s portability edged it out on a hike in the woods.
- Versus ReadyWise : ReadyWise had smoother textures on June 10, but Life Select’s calorie count felt more reliable on a trail day.
- Versus Nutrient Survival: Nutrient Survival impressed with nutrients on September 3, yet Life Select’s affordability suited my budget at home.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
I’d say it depends on your needs, but ReadyWise on March 18 stood out for balancing cost and quality for me during a quiet night.
Based on my taste tests, Life Select’s chili mac on May 22 ranks high, though ratings vary by preference on a camping trip.
Life Select’s 25-year shelf life on April 15 makes it a top pick for long-term stashing in my basement on a rainy day.
I found Life Select’s pasta Alfredo on July 8 tasty, though Mountain House might edge it out for some during a family drill.
Conclusion: For ReadyWise Survival Food
If you’re prepping for emergencies and want reliable, tasty food to stock up on, buy ReadyWise Survival Food—it’s a solid choice for your pantry! Written at 09:06 PM +06 on September 05, 2025, this review guides you through my six-month journey to get you ready. Let’s stock up together for peace of mind!