The Best Food Storage Options for Preppers
We all remember digging into the cupboard as kids looking for quick, easy meals. Chances are you wound up cracking open a can of SpaghettiOs or Campell’s soup and popping it in the microwave.
Bon-appetit!
Now that we’re adults, canned goods remain a convenient and affordable option for many families. However, not all canned foods provide the nourishment we need. In fact, some can be chock full of added preservatives, sodium, and sugar, which isn’t exactly the healthiest.
So, which canned foods should we stock up on without sacrificing our budget and health?
We’ve got you covered with the best food storage options.
Why Store Food?
Food preservation is one of the best ways to prepare for an emergency. Whether you’re financially hurting or unexpectedly become ill, it’s wise to have some quick, easy meals on hand that involve little to no effort to make.
The great thing about canned goods is that they have a long storage life compared to fresh or frozen food, plus you can enjoy seasonal foods all year round.
Canned foods can be found in any and every grocery store, or you can preserve your own goods throughout the year, such as jelly, salsa, pickles, and more. In addition, staple items like canned tomatoes, broth, and beans are great to have on hand while cooking throughout the year.
The best part of all? They’re cheap and can easily be stored on a shelf in your basement or garage without critters rummaging through them.
The Best Food Storage Options
Beans and Lentils
First on the list of best food storage options is, of course, beans and lentils. Legumes are a high protein, high fiber food perfect for many meals, including chili, soups, rice dishes, burritos, and much more.
There are plenty of beans to choose from, the most popular being black beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, pinto beans, baked beans, refried beans, etc. These can come in canned or dried form.
To stay on the healthy side, be sure to avoid beans with added sugar and sodium. Pork and beans, baked beans, and refried beans can be loaded with unhealthy ingredients, so it’s best to stick with plain beans and add your own spices.
Always be on the safe side and read the ingredients before purchasing your food – even if they’re cheap and tempting to buy!
Tomatoes
Diced, crushed, sauced, you name it! Tomatoes are a great source of antioxidants like vitamins A and C. Whether you buy them in a jar or a can, they can store for up to a year or more.
Tomato sauce is always handy to have on hand. Pair it with some pasta, and you’ve got a cheap, hearty meal the whole family will love.
Tomatoes are also easy to grow and fun to can. So get your summer gardening plans together and start thinking of planting some tomatoes!
Keep in mind that many tomato sauces include added sugars, so be sure to check labels. When in doubt, marinara sauce is a little to no sugar option for an alternative to tomato sauces.
Olives
Yet another nutritious and delicious option when it comes to food storage is olives.
Olives are a staple food in Mediterranean diets, and for good reason since they’re known to promote heart health and protect against osteoporosis and cancer.
These little guys can come in cans or glass in various colors and flavors, including the most popular black, green, and kalamata. Some brands even stuff their olives with cheese, garlic, and jalapenos (yum!).
While on the topic of olives, don’t forget to stock up on olive oil, one of the healthiest anti-inflammatory oils you can use for cooking.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin may seem like an odd food to store all year round, considering that most people associate it with fall and thanksgiving. However, pumpkin is an incredibly nutrient-dense food perfect for baking pies, bread, muffins, cookies, oatmeal, and more.
When we say canned pumpkin, we’re not talking pumpkin pie filling, which is full of added sugar and syrups. Instead, we’re talking raw pumpkin, which has an impressive nutrient profile with high amounts of antioxidants, potassium, and iron, as well as vitamins A, E, and C.
So, go ahead and get your pumpkin spice kick on all year round!
Evaporated or Powdered Milk
Milk. We all love it, but unfortunately, it can go bad quickly, leaving us without precious milk for our morning bowl of cereal.
Evaporated or powdered milk is an excellent option for milk when in a pinch.
Evaporated milk can last up to 18-24 months if stored correctly and unopened. As for powdered milk, it can last for several years. So it’s worth keeping both on your shelf in case of emergencies or even just having them on hand for a recipe.
Fruit and Vegetables
Think of any fruit or vegetable; chances are you can probably find a canned version of it – including rare and unusual fruits like jackfruit!
Compared to fresh or frozen fruits or vegetables, canned versions are much cheaper and can be just as nutritious. Plus, they last longer and are easy to heat up on the stove or microwave.
However, with many preserved fruits, beware of added sugars and syrups. Instead, we recommend opting for sugar-free or reduced-sugar versions for a healthier diet.
Canned Meat
Protein is vital for a healthy lifestyle, but thawing and cooking meat can be tricky, especially if the power goes out. Having a supply of canned meat can be helpful around the house for times like these and just on a regular basis for quick and easy lunches.
Canned meat options are endless, varying from questionable versions like SPAM to more wholesome options like tuna, chicken, roast beef, corned beef, and more.
Use your canned meat to make a sandwich or whip up a delicious casserole. No matter how you use it, canned meat will be a lifesaver at some point.
Soups and Broth
Last but not least is one of the most popular stored food items – soup. Canned soup is a comfort food many people have in their pantries, not just because it makes for a cheap meal but because there are so many options to choose from.
However, not all soups are made equal, with some containing MSG and heavy amounts of sodium. At the end of the day, soup isn’t going to be the healthiest canned food option you can find, but it’s quick and convenient, which, if we’re honest, you sometimes need in your life.
We recommend sticking to broth if you’re looking for a healthier version of soup. There are plenty of healthy broth options out there, one of the best being bone broth. This liquid gold is great for cooking as well as sipping when you’re looking for a protein-packed pick-me-up.
Get Out and Get Storing!
Food storage is a wise choice to invest in for many people for its affordability and sustainability. However, finding the right canned food items for your family can be tricky in a world full of junk food items.
By sticking to our list, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from so you can confidently stock your pantry with the best food storage options for when unexpected twists and turns come your way.
Tell us, what’s your favorite canned food item (store-bought or homemade)? If you want to take food storage to the next level, check out our article on storing water!