One option is to use the can like a cup and “drink” the contents. For loose contents like corn, this actually works quite well, but for pudding, it’s inefficient and sometimes messy. Fortunately, a spoon can be improvised from the lid that can be very useful and efficient in collecting the entire contents of your can.

It should be said that handling sharp edged metal can be hazardous, especially when forming the spoon or when eating from it, so don’t be in a rush and take care in the process. When I form a spoon, I take the removed lid and return the pull-tab to the original flat position. Then I swivel the tab 180 degrees outward so that it extends out past the outer edge. If the tab is too stiff to rotate, just bent it outward. Either way this makes a fine handle. Then I form a narrow triangular scoop by rolling the adjacent edges to the tab upward to form short walls and with the remaining narrow edge I fold up only slightly. In short order you will be adept at using it to eat.

So, remember to take care when forming the spoon and eating from it. You’ll be surprised how efficient it is and you may decide that carrying utensils may no longer be necessary.

During the Great Depression it was common for folks to put a small amount of ketchup in a cup and add hot water to make ketchup soup. When possible, they would add cream or milk to make it more palatable and nutritious.

Most college students know that an 18 cent Top Ramen package can provide a variety of meals through different combinations – the noodles can be eaten uncooked with a texture similar to popcorn, the flavor packet can be added to hot water to make a broth, or you can combine them both as originally intended.

Recently I was stuck in a situation where no food or coffee was available but there was a hot water spout on a coffee brewer. I had some breath mints so I placed one in a cup and added hot water to it. I let it steep for about 10 minutes and ended up with a suitably satisfying beverage.

I’m sure that there are readers who have extensive experience in this field and I would like to invite your comments so that we can all learn more ways to be nourished and comforted in a stranded or desperate situation.

I’ve been using foil packaged meat as it has a slender profile and is somewhat lighter in weight than canned goods. In the local grocery store you can find plenty of fish pouches such as tuna or salmon (if you like fish). Otherwise, it’s slim pickin’s with SPAM pouches as the “other meat” option. In a Sports Department or Sports Store you can find the superior but more expensive foil pouch meals known as MREs (Meals Ready to Eat), but you’ll need to determine how much space, weight and budget that you can afford. Many of these meals have an amazing exothermic heating system that is quite remarkable.

When deciding on what food pouches to stock, take into consideration how isolated you expect to be from potential food resources as this my dictate the quantity and quality of your choice. The good news is that this type of portable food has a shelf-life in terms of years, and, new products are constantly being produced which gives us more variety.