Great Green Idea: Green Eating: Dehydrating Food for your Family

Dehydrating Food for your Family

Many great benefits exist when dehydrating food for your family. Dehydrating food can provide variety for your family all year round as well as provide a healthy alternative to canned goods. Dehydration using an electric dehydrator uses very little energy and can be done in the convenience of your own home. Another alternative is using the kitchen oven to dehydrate if you so prefer.

Dehydrating food has been around for a very long time. Our ancestors started dehydrating foods using the heat of the sun to dry foods for later use. The current generation has gained the ability to use electric dehydrators saving time and money.

Health Benefits

A variety of food can be dehydrated for future use for the family unit. Fruits, vegetables, herbs, fish as well as meats can be used and packaged. Nutrition is maintained within the food unlike canned food. Maintaining the value of food dried allows increased consumption of original food nutrients. Dehydrated food does not spoil easily or grow bacteria if dried properly.

No Preservatives

Food dehydration requires no preservatives (artificial) except on rare occasion. Juice can be added to some food items as a natural preservative. As you dehydrate foods, you will have peace of mind that it will be free of fillers as well as preservatives as well as being much healthier to consume. Dehydrated food will last for long periods of time and take up less space as well.

Quantity

A larger variety of foods can be dehydrated as well as increased amounts. If you have a garden, foods can be preserved by dehydration. Items can also be purchased in bulk at a local fruit and vegetable farm saving time and money.

Cost Savings

Food items can be bought during season decreasing costs over time. As the season closes for fruits and vegetables, with a small investment in time to dehydrate, savings can be even greater for the family. Foods out of season that have been dehydrated can be enjoyed year round.

Homemade Dehydrators

Even though there are many commercial options for purchasing electric dehydrators, there is also the option of making your own food dehydrator. The items needed are a sturdy wooden box, a heat source, fan, and sheets to hold the food items during the dehydration process. Proper temperatures must be maintained during use of homemade dehydrating systems.

A Life-Saver

Having dehydrated food on hand can be a life saver. If stormy conditions cause a power outage or another natural disaster hits, individuals can eat dehydrated food that is available from storage. Backpackers also like to use dehydrated food on the run. It is easy to transport as well as healthier than buying processed foods for travel.