Stocking up on food is often the first step most preppers take to prepare themselves and their families for a SHTF scenario. And while food storage is important, it’s also never-ending.  These are the 5 foods I recommend constantly adding more of to your food supply.

Don’t buy anything your family dislikes or won’t eat unless you can use it specifically for bartering and that’s why you are adding it to your food supply.  If you buy food you dislike and never end up eating, it’ll simply go to waste.

Salt, Pepper, and other spices

Some spices can be expensive, but to keep from getting bored while eating the same thing over and over again, you’ll want a variety of spices in your prepper supply. Salt and pepper are cheap and boxes of them can be bought, but consider adding others you like as well. Cumin and basil are popular options. This will give you more variety with your cooking if you are ever forced to dig into your food supply.

Beans

Grab a variety of different beans in both cans and dried.  Beans can be used often, have great nutritional value (including a good dose of fiber) and are fairly inexpensive.  You can always grin up dried beans and use them in soups or stews to create a more hearty and filling dish while adding a can of beans. Again, the variety will keep boredom with your meals at bay too.

Sugar and/or Honey

If you have a sweet tooth, stock up on sugar and honey. Neither will go bad and both will be able to give that extra kick of sweetness to satisfy those cravings when the SHTF. It can’t hurt to have some extra on hand in the event that you need to make some “survival cookies” just to get through the day.

Rice

Although I am not a huge fan of rice during normal times, it’s packed with carbohydrates to give you energy. Rice is pretty versatile too and can be mixed with herbs and a vegetable or used on its own with some salt as a simple main dish if need be.  It’s a great “first choice” for those who have just started to put food in their prepper pantry. It’s also a good filler and can stretch meals when topped with some meat or vegetables.  Please keep in mind that brown rice contains oils that will eventually become rancid. If you can keep it stored at very chilly temperatures, say below 60 degrees, it will be fresher, longer. Otherwise, plan on the shelf life of only about a year or so.

Peanut Butter

Anyone who has kids knows this is a must. It’s appealing to most children and has a bunch of good fats in it making it a great food to store. You can even keep a new, sealed jar in emergency kits for a quick dose of protein when you might need it most.  I actually have some “squirtable” peanut butter in my vehicle emergency kit, just in case I need a quick blast of sustenance.

These are only my personal top 5 foods that you should stock up on every month, or when you notice there’s a good sale. There are many more you always grab too! Just make sure you have a variety of foods to keep yourself satiated and your kids full during the worst of times.

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