Having the ability to run to the supermarket or convenience store to pick up the foods we need whenever we want to has become a luxury that many of us have come very accustomed to. Many of these stores are even open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so there really was no good reason for people to stockpile foods at their homes.

The recent occurrences of tremendously damaging storms such as hurricane sandy, and more recently hurricane irma are beginning to make people consider otherwise. The potential for losing power for days even weeks in one of these catastrophes is very real, and thus people are looking for alternative ways that they can store their foods.

Your priority as far as your foods as concerned when it comes to an event like this would be nutrition and safety. With that being said there are plenty of things you can pickup beforehand if you plan ahead, so make sure to do so.

The Must Have Foods for an Emergency

1-Canned Fish or Chicken

These are some of the cheapest and best sources of protein that you are going to find. Protein is a key ingredient when it comes to satisfying hunger, and of course is essential to maintaining and repairing various tissues.

On top of that you want something that is easy to prepare in an emergency situation, as you probably aren’t going to have a working stove handy. You can even eat this straight out of the can if you absolutely needed to, making this a food you definitely want to have around in case of an emergency.

2-Breakfast Cereals

Breakfast cereals are another food that requires absolutely no preparation as opposed to other breakfast foods such as oatmeal. Most of them are fortified with vitamins and minerals as well, which are going to be more difficult to get in a survival situation as well.

Make sure to choose the low sugar varieties if possible, as many cereals are loaded with sugar and can actually make you hungrier down the line after your sugar high has ended.

3-Nuts and Nut Butters

One thing you really have to be concerned about in a survival situation is getting enough calories. Nuts and nut butters are a great way to do this, while providing us with healthy fats, vitamins and minerals in the process.

Nuts and nut butters are extremely portable and keep well also, making them great choices for survival situations where you know that you are going to be on the move. All of the healthy fat and protein they provide will help to keep you full longer also, making them another food you want to purchase ahead of time.

4-Boxed Milk

Milk and most dairy products aren’t things you would probably think of when it comes to survival type of foods. This is because most of us drink milk that comes from a refrigerated container, with a relatively short shelf life.

The shelf life of milk however has to do with the pasteurization techniques used, some of which are specifically designed to increase shelf life. Look for milk and other products that have undergone ultrapasteurization or ultra-high-temperature pasteurization, which can extend the shelf life milk for up to 90 days.

5-Canned Beans

Beans are another food that is extremely nutritious and one that will fill you up as well. Beans are loaded with fiber and protein, two essential ingredients when it comes to keeping you satiated for a long time.

Canned beans are another food that needs literally no preparation, and can be eaten from the can if need be. You should bring along some kind of sauce along with some salt and pepper to give it some flavor.

6-Freeze Dried Fruit

The fruit group contains some of the most healthy foods we can possibly eat, however most fruit is high in sugar. This is bad news as far as spoilage is concerned, and obviously fresh fruit is one of the last foods you want to bring along with you in a survival situation.

Freeze dried fruits on the other hand have all of the moisture sucked out of them, which really helps to extend their shelf life. Bringing freeze dried fruits with you in a survival situation is a great way to get all of those nutrients you need, without the nasty syrups that accompany canned fruit.