South Africans know what a challenge loadshedding can be.

While we can’t control when loadshedding strikes, we can help you plan the type of meals you can prepare when it does happen.  Planning ahead will ensure that you can still do your TLC-Program and eat delicious meals.
Here are some tips to help!

Loadshedding pantry staples
Keeping these basics in the pantry/fridge will help when you are caught off guard and need to make a quick meal.

  • Tinned Tuna
  • Tinned Salmon
  • Tinned Crab
  • Tinned Chickpeas
  • Tinned Asparagus
  • A variety of Crackers
  • Rice Cakes
  • Shirataki Noodles

Some vegetables and fruit that last long even when the fridge goes on and off:

  • Cabbage
  • Peppers
  • Tomatoes
  • Onions
  • Gem squash
  • Chillies
  • Celery
  • Capers
  • Bean Sprouts
  • Radish
  • Mushrooms
  • Garlic
  • Lemons
  • Apples
  • Oranges
  • Plums
  • Mango
  • Grapefruit
  • Avocado

How to Prepare Meals when Loadshedding strikes

Keep the loadshedding app on your phone (EskomSePush is a good one).  This way you can be ready and prepare some basics ahead of time.  Always buy your ingredients in advance, prep them to save time and store in airtight containers in the fridge.  Then once loadshedding starts you can quickly toss together a meal.

Now you can choose from any number of quick and easy cold meals (luckily its summer):

  • Chicken Salad
  • Tuna Salad
  • Chickpea, tomato, radish and Feta salad
  • Cheese Board with crackers and crispy crudité
  • Cold Shirataki noodles tossed with an Asian dressing – just add precooked chicken or steak and veg/salad
  • Quick delicious open sandwich topped with your favorite ingredients

Caught off-guard – fire up the Braai
Add any of these to the braai to have with salad:

  • Garlic and Lemon Prawns
  • Barbecued Fillet Steak
  • Sweet and Sour Marinated Chicken Breast
  • Tofu Skewers

The possibilities are endless with a braai stand handy.

Gas is an option too

If you do not have a gas stove, invest in a small gas hop or camping hob.  These work well during loadshedding and they are a relatively inexpensive investment.

Food safety is important

It can be a challenge to keep food fresh and maintain its longevity.  Not knowing if your food has been under the right temperature and if it is good to eat or not leaves high chances of making you sick.

If you know loadshedding will be longer than 2 hours place food items that can be frozen in the freezer.

Use frozen ice-packs in the fridge, close to closed containers of meat/chicken/fish, to keep them as cold as possible.

Keep your fridge closed during loadshedding.  This helps keep the cold air longer.  Only open the fridge when necessary.

Avoid bulk buying.  Buy what you need and replenish as necessary.