Whether you are a regular prepper, new to prepping, or just trying to plan ahead for the impending high prices and food shortages, it is always wise to have a bit of extra food on hand for emergencies. After all…when disaster strikes, no matter what form it takes, it’s much easier to face with food!
Yet, even in the face of disaster, we still would like to stock up and be able to eat healthy food that benefits our bodies, gives us energy and doesn’t make us miserable while we try to survive. So…here are 10 health foods that have a good shelf life to get your prepper’s pantry stock started!
- Flour and Yeast – We learned the hard way in 2020 what happens to the stores and which articles of food and supplies are the first to go and hardest to find. After purchase, transfer the flour to tightly sealed glass mason jars to protect it longer from bugs and spoilage.
- Pasta/Sauce – Pasta is a pretty filling meal, and you can generally make it go a long way. You can find usually find options for organic pasta, gluten-free or grain-free, to fit whichever diet you need. These tend to be slightly more expensive, but you can find good sales at times. That is usually when I tend to stock up.
- Protein Powder/Bone Broth Powder – Another good way to get extra protein in emergencies. Find a good organic grass fed protein or bone broth powder and you can even use it in everyday recipes (such as baked goods, soups and crockpot meals, desserts or snacks for on the go) to add a little more protein to your diet, or add it to your drink.
- Beans and Rice – Beans are an excellent non-meat source of protein and rice is a good source of carbohydrates. Both are relatively cheap and can go a long way in feeding a family, or just yourself. Opt for good whole grain rice, not the quick rice, and choose bags of dried beans over canned, as they can go farther and last longer…and are generally better for you.
- Canned goods – Canned goods have a long shelf life and you can find a variety of foods; vegetables, fruit, meat, beans, etc. Most of these are pretty inexpensive to purchase, especially if you stock up over time. You can also do some of your own canning if you want to have more control over what goes into the preserving process.
- Honey – You can’t beat God’s nature for producing things that are both useful and nutritious! Make sure it is pure RAW honey, stored in glass in a cool dry place away from sunlight. Honey also comes in handy for easing a distressed throat and used topically to help mild burns, abrasions or small wounds.
- Spices – Spices not only liven up the flavor of your food, but they can also help for some minor health concerns. Cinnamon, Cayenne, Garlic, Rosemary and Turmeric are some great ones to start stocking up on for health AND hunger. 🙂
- Nut Butter – Long shelf life and good source of protein. Also very portable when on the go.
- Oils – Extra virgin olive and coconut oils. Good for both cooking and several health benefits and diy. Coconut oil helps relieve many skin irritants, promotes good oral health with oil pulling, and can also be used for deodorant in a pinch.
- Distilled Water – No emergency stock would be complete without water! It’s wise to stock up at least a gallon of water per person, per day.
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