How to Get Food in the Desert

Plants

• 1

  Look for the fruits of cacti and legumes, which are typically safe to eat. Avoid plants with milky sap and a bitter taste.

• 2

  Apply the universal edibility test to any plant you eat. Separate the plant into basic components -- flowers, buds, roots, leaves and stems. Smell the food to see if it has strong or acidic odors.

• 3

  Don't eat for eight hours before the test. During this time, place a piece of the plant against your elbow or wrist for about 15 minutes to see if your skin reacts in any way.

• 4

  Before eating, touch the plant part to your outer lip for about three minutes to see if it burns or itches.

• 5

  Hold it to your tongue for about 15 minutes to test for a reaction.

• 6

  Thoroughly chew a small portion of the plant part for about 15 minutes without swallowing, again to test for a reaction.

• 7

  Swallow the food if you get no reactions to any of the tests. Wait eight hours to see if your stomach reacts to the food. If it does, induce vomiting and drink plenty of water. Otherwise, eat 1/4 cup of the plant and monitor reactions for another eight hours before determining that it is safe to eat.

Animals and Insects

• 8

  Eat reptiles, which provide protein and are fairly easy to catch. Wash your hands thoroughly and cook the reptile before eating as they might carry salmonella. The only poisonous lizards are the Gila monster and Mexican beaded lizard.

• 9

  Hunt for insects, as they are rich in protein and fat, which are the most necessary nutritional elements for survival.

• 10

  Don't hunt animals for meat if you aren't experienced because hunting is difficult and expends a lot of energy. Try learning some simple traps and snares instead (see resources).