For a starter, here's my suggestions on food. It can be overwhelming, so have a simplified start-up.Ok so I just began making and thinking about a pantry.
I'm not really a prepper, mostly because im a 19yo student living with my dad. Otherwise, I would invest a lot more in it but at the moment its not a top priority in my life.
I'm not really worried about a super apocalyptic scenaryo that will last for decades but I do feel like having food and water for a few months its common sense.
All the time we see natural disasters causing a big mess in any part of the world and people desesperate because they have no food, water, electricity etc.
But thats not really my point..if you're here in this forum you already know all that and you're probably thinking that im pretty dumb for not prepping more serious but well.
I need advice in foods, ways to store food and how long do they last.
Do canned goods really expire?
What are the best foods to store if you cant get MRE's and freeze dried stuff? (Im not from the US, none of that exists in my country)
Are there ways to store vegetables, meats, etc on my own? And I mean a way to store it without the need of getting an expensive dehydrator
And any other advice regarding this topic would be great!
Thanks for reading and sorry if i made a few grammatical mistakes, english is not my home language hehe
Just buy an extra one to start with.
On my list to start with:
Rolled Oats - they're good for long storage. I have some that's been bought in 2016 - still fresh looking and no difference in taste or texture. I stored them in 2 heavy duty freezer bags (with a paper towel in (absorbs moisture) - took out as much air as I can), place a couple of dried bay leaves and basil leaves between bags (to discourage bugs). I check them once a year for any signs of bugs or molds. They still look like they've just been bought yesterday!
Rolled oats can be eaten without cooking (so, if cooking is not an option - it's good). All they need is soaking overnight. So many recipes on overnight oats. Nutrition-wise, oats is well-rounded. It also has lots of fiber.
Peanut butter - I use Jiffy (the expiration date is way longer than Kraft). I've had expired Kraft - there is a difference in taste once it's about 3 months after the BB date.
Pea Soup (because it's high in protein and fiber, and everyone loves pea soup in my family), or any ready-to-eat canned soup you eat (so you can use them up - making sure you replace them as you go along).
Soda Crackers and Toppables (I'm eating 6 months old past the BB date - and there's no difference that I detect). Crackers with peanut butter are my "extenders."
Pan Cake Mix (I like Krustaez from Costco). Can be made into flapjacks, or skillet bread - will also be an extender. They'll be the bread once we used up the loaves in the freezer.
Cooking oil
Assorted Jam
About 4 to 5 loaves of bread in the freezer (these will be eaten first when the power goes out) - We love peanutbutter/jam sandwiches and soup here.
Granola bars (check the ingredients and nutritional information). If you can make them yourself - they're great for freezing.
Sugar
Cinnamon
Raisins and cranberries (for the oats).
WATER (lots of water!)
I know the following isn't food, but it's good if you've got some flu tablets, cold medicines, alcohol and first aid stuff - what you'd normally use when you're sick - so you wouldn't have to go out there looking for these items.
....and then, you can expand from there, like
Corn beef and Spam
Pasta and Pasta sauce
Rice
Beans
Ramen noodles, Cup-O-Noodles etc..,