Which Foods to Stockpile for the New Year – and Which to Avoid

With food shortages due to drought, never-ending grocery inflation, and ongoing supply chain issues, it’s more important than ever to stockpile food for the future.

And what better time to do it than the fresh start of a new year? But as some of us have learned the hard way, some foods are better for stockpiling than others.

Of course, shelf life is important. But so are other factors. Including taste, nutrition, variety, protein, and calories to get you through what’s certain to be a rough stretch.

That’s what I’m focusing on today. And at the end I’ll tell you a major cost-saving way to double a three-month supply of survival food. But fair warning – you’ll have to act very quickly.

Don’t overdo fresh foods

Before I get into a list of what I consider the best – and worst – foods to stockpile, let me mention this.

It’s fine to have plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, etc., in your refrigerator. There’s nothing better than fresh when it comes to food.

But keep in mind that if the power goes out and you have no way to keep your fridge running, you’re going to want to eat that fresh food sooner rather than later. It won’t stay fresh for long.

And this is exactly why it’s crucial to have plenty of non-perishable food ready for the consumption of your family and you.

Looking at the best

So, here’s a list of foods that are either non-perishable or have longer shelf lives than most other foods.

• Freeze-dried fruits and vegetables. Long shelf life and low moisture content. They can be reconstituted quickly and generally keep their texture, color, shape and taste. 

• Dehydrated fruits and vegetables. This is the oldest food preservation method. And it’s easy to transport from one place to another.

• Peanut butter, which provides energy, protein and healthy fats. Eat it right out of the jar or spread it on healthy crackers.

• Nuts, including walnuts, almonds, pistachios, cashews, and pecans.

• Seeds, such as sunflower, pumpkin, sesame, chia, and flaxseeds.

• Granola bars, which supply much-needed carbohydrates. Just make sure they don’t contain much sugar. 

• Pasta. It’s high in carbohydrates and can be used in a variety of ways with different foods. 

• Whole grains store well and are great for making bread, pancakes, and baked goods.

• Whole grain rice is another good source of carbs. Goes with just about any meal.

• Dried beans say good for a long time. Lots of protein, especially for a non-meat source.

• Powdered milk is a good source of Vitamin D and calcium. It will supply some of your dairy needs. Can be used for baking.

• Canned food could go into either the best or worst category. They’re heavy and require a lot of storage space. Some contain high levels of sodium. But they offer a wide variety of foods, most of which are generally nutritious. They come in handy when you’re hunkering down.

• Bottled water. This water is seldom as “pure” as manufacturers want you to think with their colorful labels. But you can never have too much water on hand. Even more important, get a water purifier.

Looking at the worst 

I promised to also mention the worst foods you can include in your survival stockpile. Some of these are pretty obvious.

• Sugar-laden snacks. While it’s important to have some comfort foods in your stash, stay away from ones that will give you a sugar rush followed by a crash. Such as candy and candy bars, potato chips, and soda/pop.

• Energy drinks. These drinks have very little nutritional value. They might keep you awake, but that’s about it. They can also make some people jittery, which you don’t need in an emergency.

• Breakfast cereals. In addition to having short shelf lives, these cereals usually have very little nutritional content. If you want to include a few boxes in your stash, choose ones with little or no sugar.

Variety is the spice of life

Getting back to the subject of variety, let me make a few comments.      

Variety is an essential part of the process of choosing which foods to store. Different foods provide different nutrients. Variety also helps prevent appetite fatigue. 

Yes, you can survive by eating the same thing day after day. At least for a while. But stockpiling a variety of ready-to-eat food will lend itself to more frequent eating and a much better mental outlook on your situation. 

So, focus on quality and add variety. And if you’re able, beef up your quantity whenever you can. 

3-Month Survival Food Kit deal 

As promised, here’s a great way to significantly add to your stockpile quantity. There’s only one catch – you have to act before midnight tonight. 

With the purchase of a 3-Month Survival Food Kit today, you’ll get an additional 3-Month Kit for 57% off. Which means your second 3-Month Kit is less than one-half its normal price. But just for today. 

Each 3-Month Kit comes in two water-resistant, stackable totes. Inside, each food item uses top-of-the-line Mylar pouches – the same material used in NASA's space suits – to keep air, moisture, and light out. So your food stays fresh.

This is sturdy stuff that stands up to the crazy things that occur during an emergency. Our 3-Month Kit is bigger and better than ever. With tons of variety. This is the “done-for-you” solution to your survival food needs.  

Designed to last 25 years, this Kit features 688 great-tasting, family-favorite servings for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. That’s 135,440 total calories.

Plus FREE gifts including FREE shipping and a $25 off certificate to use on a future order.

Here’s how to get yours…