Being prepared is crucial in so many aspects of life. And, just like we want to have some cushion with emergency savings in place, we want to do the same when it comes to our pantry. Whether bad weather hits, leaving us unable to go to the store for a handful of days, or illness strikes, we want to make sure we have our pantry prepared. We’re breaking down how to build an emergency supply for your pantry, the healthy way.
How to Build an Emergency Supply of Healthy Foods
#1 Get Savvy With Canned Foods
Canned foods are one of the non-perishable items we turn to when thinking about how to prep an emergency supply of foods.
While these foods aren’t always viewed as healthy, with the right choices, you can actually stock up on some healthier options that aren’t loaded with fillers and tons of sodium.
Here are some great canned foods to keep on hand in your emergency sup:
- Black beans
- Chickpeas
- Full-fat unsweetened coconut milk
- Organic canned pumpkin
- Canned wild-caught salmon & tuna
- No salt added canned tomato sauce
- Canned pitted olives
- Canned diced tomatoes
#2 Stock up on Nut Butters
Literally go nuts when it comes to stocking up on your fav nut butter. Vary your selection to make sure you have plenty of variety on hand.
From almond butter to blend into smoothies to peanut butter to enjoy on crackers with hemp seeds, having a handful of nut butter jars will serve as a great way to whip up a healthy snack.
#3 Stock up on Healthy Bars
While not all granola bars are created equal, there are some brands out there that have really stepped up to the plate. Plus, bars are a great thing to have in your emergency supply of healthy foods as they are easy to store and tend to keep for an extended period of time.
Here are some of the healthier brands we love:
- RXBars
- Primal Kitchen Protein Bars
- Purely Elizabeth Ancient Grains Granola Bars
- Larabars
- Health Warrior Protein Bars
#4 Nuts & Seeds
Having a handful of unopened nuts and seeds stocked in your pantry will serve as a quick and easy way to whip up some homemade trail mix for a filling snack. Or, you can sprinkle some over a bowl of oatmeal or blend some into a smoothie for some added protein and fat.
Not only are there filling, but they are highly nutritious. Nuts and seeds, if unopened, also store well in your pantry (just be sure to check the expiration date before enjoying!)
Some of our favs to have on hand include:
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Walnuts
- Pistachios
- Pumpkin seeds
- Flaxseeds
- Chia Seeds
#5 Keep Gluten-free Grains Stocked
Unopened bags of gluten-free grains are also a super important part of an emergency stockpile of healthy foods. Things like gluten-free rolled oats, brown rice, quinoa, and even gluten-free pasta are all great pantry items that will work as a great base for any meal.
You can mix and match your favorite grain with your healthy canned food of choice to make a filling and nourishing meal.
#6 Stock Up On Longer-Lasting Fresh Food Items
Keeping a stock of longer-lasting food items is a key part of making sure that your emergency stockpile is full of healthy and nutritious foods, especially if you know you’ll need to dip into your healthy food stash.
Consider stocking up on fruits like apples, oranges, and veggies like sweet potatoes, garlic, onion. These all tend to keep longer than more perishable items like bananas or berries. Plus, you’ll be able to reach for something wholesome and flavorful if you get tired of the dried food stuff!
#7 Buy Water in Bulk
You may also want to consider stocking up on water bottles to be sure that you have clean and safe water should you run into a situation where you may need an emergency water supply.
#8 Have The Right Storage Containers on Hand
Last but not least is making sure that you are prepared with the right storage containers. If you dip into that bag of brown rice and make a big batch, you’ll want some food storage containers to store any leftovers in the fridge. So, consider keeping a handful of mason jars and glass containers in your pantry.
Get Your Pantry Prepped
Having your pantry well-stocked with long-lasting foods is one of those steps we all should take to ensure that we have the bare necessities should an emergency strike. Use these hacks to create an emergency supply of foods, the healthy way.
Just be sure to keep an eye on expiration dates and keep the right containers on hand should you have the need to whip out that emergency stockpile!
