If you're a low carber, it's important to keep your health in mind as you plan for winter emergencies. That way you can keep your stress levels low and your health maintained despite the weather!

The first thing to remember is that hydration is very important no matter what diet plan you are following. You need to keep water going through your system. When the electricity fails after a snowstorm, your water stops moving through your faucets. Get ample jugs of water and keep them handy. Yes you can melt snow for keeping the toilets working, but you don't want to drink snow water. You want fresh, proper water to drink.

Make sure you drink it regularly, too. Don't hold back on drinking water. You need to stay healthy and hydrated to remain warm and in good health.

Next, your fridge is going to start warming up, so don't depend on refrigerated food for your meals. Instead, keep your pantry stocked with canned foods. Good items to keep on hand include tuna fish, olives, water chestnuts, and bamboo shoots. Make sure you have a can opener of course!

You can have whole wheat, low carb breads and crackers on hand to provide fiber. Remember that your microwave won't be working, and unless you have a gas or propane stove that you're willing to hand-light, those might not be functional either. So plan for cold - not hot - food choices that you can make by lantern-light.

If you've got access to a grill outside, and are willing to stand in the snow while working on your food items, your food choices expand immensely. Now you can grill burgers, chicken breasts, and preservative-free hot dogs and get some warm food into you. Usually in a snowstorm you're not too worried about those frozen items going bad. You simply stick them into the snowdrift next to the grill and have instant access to your food. If anything, it's the thawing-them-out part which is a little more challenging.

It's critical that you prepare ahead of time for this happening. Often you get a day's warning or less of the strength of a storm. A downed tree could mean that your car is trapped in its parking spot for days before you can get out to a store. Make sure you are set early for the challenges of winter. That way you can stay fed, happy, healthy, and perhaps even joy the wintry scene!


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