Today’s blog will discuss the best foods for long term storage.
Long-term food storage is essential for emergencies, natural disasters, or when fresh food is not readily available. Choosing the right foods for long-term storage is critical to ensure you can access essential nutrients and calories during these times.
When selecting foods for long-term storage, it’s essential to consider the nutritional content of the foods and ensure that you have a variety of options to provide a balanced diet. By stocking up on these long-lasting foods, you can ensure that you and your family have access to essential nutrients during times of need.
So, let’s move on to the best foods for long term storage.
Also Read:- Best Foods To Eat For A High Protein Diet
8 Best Foods For Long Term Storage
When it comes to long-term food storage, it’s important to choose items that are non-perishable, easy to store and provide essential nutrients. Here are 8 of the best foods for long term storage:
Rice
Rice is a staple food widely consumed worldwide and is also a popular food for long-term storage. It is a good source of carbohydrates, provides energy, and is low in fat. Rice is also easy to store, has a long shelf life, and can be used in various dishes. Several types of rice are available, including white, brown, and wild rice.
When storing rice long-term, keeping it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, away from moisture and sunlight, is essential. Rotating your rice supply regularly is also an excellent idea to ensure that the oldest rice is used first.
Pasta
The second best foods for long term storage is Pasta. It is a popular food for long-term storage because it is easy to store, has a long shelf life, and can be used in various dishes. It also provides energy and is a good source of carbohydrates. Pasta is typically made from durum wheat and comes in multiple shapes and sizes.
Dried pasta has a longer shelf life than fresh pasta, lasting up to two years if stored properly. To hold dried pasta long-term, keeping it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, away from moisture and sunlight, is best.
Pasta can be cooked in various ways, including boiling, baking, or frying, and can be used in multiple dishes such as spaghetti, lasagna, and macaroni and cheese.
Beans
Beans are an excellent food for long-term storage because they are a good source of protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates and can be used in various dishes. They are also very affordable and easy to store. The most common types of beans used for long-term storage include black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, navy beans, and lentils.
Dried beans have a long shelf life of up to 30 years if stored properly in a cool, dry place away from moisture and sunlight. Beans can be used in various dishes, including soups, stews, chili, casseroles, and salads. They can be mashed or pureed to make dips and spreads, such as hummus and refried beans.
Canned beans are also a good option for long-term storage, as they can last up to five years and require no preparation before use. However, they are more expensive than dried beans and may contain added salt or preservatives.
Canned Vegetables
The fourth best foods for long term storage is Canned vegetables. These vegetables are a good option for long-term storage because they are easy to store, have a long shelf life, and retain most of their nutritional value. Canned vegetables are typically processed and canned within hours of being picked, which helps to lock in their flavor and nutrients. Common canned vegetables include corn, peas, green beans, carrots, and tomatoes.
Canned vegetables can last up to five years if stored properly in a cool, dry place, away from moisture and sunlight. It’s essential to check the expiration dates on the cans and to rotate your supply regularly to ensure that the oldest cans are used first. Canned vegetables can be used in various dishes, including soups, stews, casseroles, and salads.
Canned Fruits
Canned fruits are also a good option for long-term storage because they are easy to store, have a long shelf life, and can be used in various dishes. Canned fruits are usually processed and canned within hours of being picked, which helps to lock in their flavor and nutrients. Most commonly canned fruits include peaches, pears, pineapples, and applesauce.
Canned fruits can last up to five years if stored correctly in a cool, dry place, away from moisture and sunlight. It’s essential to check the expiration dates on the cans and rotate your supply regularly. Canned fruits can be used in various dishes, including desserts, smoothies, and salads.
Dried Fruit
Dried fruit is an excellent food for long-term storage because it is lightweight, easy to store, and has a long shelf life. Drying fruit removes the water content, which helps to prevent spoilage and allows it to be kept for longer periods. Some common types of dried fruit include raisins, apricots, dates, figs, and prunes.
Dried fruit can last up to a year if stored properly in a cool, dry place, away from moisture and sunlight. It’s essential to check the packages’ expiration dates and rotate your supply regularly to ensure that the oldest boxes are used first.
Dried fruit can be used in various dishes, including baked goods, granola, trail mix, and salads, and it can also be eaten as a snack on its own. Dried fruit is a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, but it’s important to remember that it is also high in sugar and calories. It is the sixth-best foods for long term storage.
Honey
Although it’s common to believe that honey may be consumed forever, some things can affect its quality and limit its shelf life.
Honey’s smell, texture, and flavor can be changed by storage conditions like heat and humidity, making it difficult to estimate how long it will last.
The National Honey Board suggests keeping honey for up to 2 years due to the problem in determining an expiration date for all honey varieties due to variations in storage.
Popcorn
Whole popcorn can be purchased in bulk and kept at room temperature for up to 2 years. At the same time, popcorn is entirely natural, unlike boxed quick popcorn, which includes unwanted substances, including toxic additives and bad fats.
Not to mention that making your popcorn is enjoyable and allows you to choose the ingredients you eat. Also, when consumed in moderation, popcorn is a nutritious snack due to its high fiber, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, and polyphenol antioxidant content.
It’s essential to remember that storing food for long periods can affect the taste and quality of the food. It’s also necessary to keep food in a cool, dry place and to rotate your stock regularly to ensure that the oldest items are used first. So, these are the best foods for long term storage.
Also Read:- Best Exercises For Diabetes At Home
Some Other Best Foods For Long Term Storage
- Powdered milk – powdered milk can last several years and is a good source of calcium and protein.
- Jerky – beef jerky, turkey jerky, and other types of meat jerky can last for several months and provide a source of protein.
- Nuts – nuts such as almonds, cashews, and peanuts can last several months and provide a source of healthy fats and protein.
- Peanut butter – peanut butter can last several months and provides a source of protein and healthy fats.
- Salt can last indefinitely and is a necessary seasoning for many foods.
- Sugar – sugar can last indefinitely and is a necessary ingredient for baking.
- Canned soups – canned soups such as chicken noodle soup and tomato soup can last several years and provide a source of protein and vegetables.
- Oatmeal – oatmeal can last for several years and provides a source of fiber and carbohydrates.
- Cooking oil – vegetable oil, olive oil, and other cooking oils- can last several years and are necessary for cooking and baking.
- Instant coffee – instant coffee can last several years and provides a source of caffeine.
- Tea bags can last for several years and provide a source of caffeine and antioxidant.
Conclusion
In this blog, we have discussed the best foods for long term storage. Usually, it’s very simple to buy what you need and carry on with your life if you’re searching for long-term food storage, but sometimes (during weeks like this), this is not an option. Fortunately, you can easily prepare your survival meals with ingredients from any grocery shop. It is also fun to can and freeze-dry your food during the year. There is also always the alternative of fishing for food.
Visit SugarbalanceUSA for more interesting and informative content like this.