Regardless of where you live, it’s important to be prepared for an emergency. Unexpected weather events and other circumstances could leave you without electricity, running water, and other important utilities. One of the most important aspects of emergency preparedness is making sure you have enough food on hand. Survival experts recommend having at least a three day supply of food.
You don’t need to go to huge lengths to be prepared for a disaster. Just make sure to have a good supply of non-perishable food in your pantry. It helps to have a variety of different foods with different nutritional benefits.
| Product | Refrigeration Needed? | Nutritional Benefits | Amount in Pack |
|---|---|---|---|
#1. Peanut Butter Check Price | No | Fats and protein | 26-ounce jars |
#2. Whole Wheat Crackers Check Price | No | Fats and fiber | Family-sized pack |
#3. Trail Mix Check Price | No | Fats and carbohydrates | 4-ounce bags |
The Best Non-Perishable Foods for Emergencies
#1. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is an ideal source of energy. It has a huge amount of protein and a number of healthful fats. Most peanut butter doesn’t need to be refrigerated after it’s open. The only time you’d need to refrigerate it is if the jar indicates that refrigeration is necessary.
It helps to buy peanut butter in bulk. You can find it in 26-ounce jars. The majority of peanut butter tends to be vegan-friendly and gluten-free, so it can suit people with a variety of dietary needs.
#2. Whole Wheat Crackers
Crackers are one of the best replacements for bread. Bread tends to have short expiration times, even when it’s stored in places with as little moisture as possible. If you want to make sandwiches, whole wheat crackers are a good choice.
Plain crackers have a longer shelf life than whole wheat crackers because they have a somewhat lower fat content. However, whole wheat crackers have a higher fiber content that makes them ideal for your digestive system. You can stock your pantry with both plain and whole wheat crackers to make sure you have enough to last a significant period of time.
One thing you can do to prolong the freshness of your crackers is to vacuum pack them. To get the best value for your dollar, it’s best to get a family-sized pack of crackers. For the healthiest option, look for crackers that don’t have high fructose corn syrup in their ingredients list.
#3. Trail Mix
Trail mixes and nuts are another essential pantry staple. Trail mix is designed to give you a great deal of energy. It’s formulated for hikers and campers to have an easy snack as they walk. As such, trail mix is full of carbohydrates to give you short-term energy, along with healthy fats and protein.
Eating carbohydrates alone can lead to a crash, what most people commonly know as a “sugar crash.” Protein helps to offset this crash by giving you long-term energy.
When you’re picking the best trail mixes and nuts for your pantry, it’s best to find vacuum-packed containers. Vacuum packing keeps the nuts from losing their freshness through oxidization.
There are a ton of trail mixes on the market. The best ones use natural ingredients without any additives or preservatives. Many contain a combination of dried fruit, nuts, and chocolate.
Other Good Foods to Keep for Emergencies
#1. Cereal
You might be tempted to get a giant box of cereal from the grocery store and call it a day. But this isn’t the best solution! Even the healthiest multigrain cereals can become stale after you open them.
Instead of buying a family-sized box, choose a box of individually-wrapped servings. Since you only open one serving at a time, the cereal doesn’t have a chance to get stale.
Another bonus of buying individually-wrapped cereal is that you can get variety. Some cereals come in variety bundles with 12, 24, or even 30 different kinds! The mix of samples will help you feel like you aren’t just eating the same thing over and over again.
#2. Energy Bars and Granola Bars
These snacks are a healthy, quick way to have a filling meal. They tend to be fresh for a minimum of six months. In addition, you get a good amount of carbohydrates from them. Carbohydrates are an ideal way to get quick energy without eating a lot of food, provided you have some protein to offset the crash.
There are many granola bars on the market. It’s best to look for ones with natural ingredients. Find boxes that have flavors you like. Some variety packs have a multitude of different flavors, rather than just one or two.
#3. Dried Fruit
There are a number of different dried fruits on the market. Raisins and dried apricots are some of the most common. Fresh fruit goes bad after just a few days or weeks, but dried fruit can keep for much longer. It’s a healthy snack that gives you dietary fiber and potassium. You’ll get nutrients you can’t find in many other non-perishable foods.
For the best variety, look for a variety pack of different dried fruits. If you have a multitude of options, it will be easier to stay healthy.
Final Thoughts
In a worst-case scenario, you want to be prepared. You never know what kind of emergencies the weather or other circumstances may bring. It helps to keep your pantry stocked up on non-perishable goods. Experts recommend having at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food for each member of the family in case of an emergency.
Peanut butter, whole wheat crackers, and trail mix are three of the top options. These foods give you a good mix of carbohydrates and healthy fats. You may also want to add vitamin supplements to the list, as many non-perishable foods are low in essential vitamins.
