When a food crisis breaks out, these unexpected foods can fill your stomach

Food crises are not unheard of in history. Throughout the history of human civilization, humankind has been locked in a constant struggle with food. Eliminating hunger is a subject that has always troubled humanity. Even today, when we feel that food and clothing are assured, many of our brothers and sisters in Africa are still struggling at the poverty line, seeking a way to fill their stomachs.

So, from a historical perspective, what foods have humans been able to eat during food crises? Let us now look back at history, learn from the past to understand the present, and, upholding the concept of preparing for danger in times of peace, take stock of the foods eaten during past famines.

Liu Zhenyun's novel "1942" gives a relatively clear description of the Henan famine, and in the film adaptation directed by Feng Xiaogang we can see the scene of the famine at that time. The film may be artistic, or perhaps the real history was far crueler than the film.

During the period of the Republic of China, the "Sishui Disaster Briefing" published by the Nationalist government contained a relatively detailed record of the foods eaten by disaster victims in Sishui, Henan at that time. It recorded in detail several categories, including food types, methods of consumption, and phenomena after eating (pictured above).

For the poor struggling on the line between hunger and death, some even let yellow earth settle in clear water in a vat, then took the fine sand from the temple and made it into mud cakes to eat. It is recorded that disaster victims in Lushan ground stones into powder and then consumed it.

Compared with the substances in the table above, these things eaten were even less like food. If famine truly reached this point, perhaps only then would people have a deeper understanding of hunger.

The above is the historical part; below let us look at edible substances of the future.

If there is a food crisis, future foods will, it is believed, have better processing methods. At present, our country is also promoting the use of potatoes as a staple grain. First, potato yields are relatively high; second, the starch and sugars in potatoes are relatively similar to those in wheat and rice. It is feasible to replace grain and increase grain supply. This is also a major strategy for solving human food and clothing needs in the future.

Based on the current development of agricultural science and technology, future famines will not be allowed to happen again. In recent years, looking at the international scale, the widespread promotion of genetically modified technology has led to progress in grain yields that is obvious to all. However, at present we should still increase global grain reserves to avoid food shortages in certain years caused by natural disasters. Only by preparing for danger in times of peace can we enjoy peace.

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