Emergencies can occur at any time, and having food supplies to give you sustenance might just be a matter of life and death. Emergency preparedness is a step toward survival, and to survive, our bodies need energy and nutrition that comes from food.
We will give some pointers on how to smartly choose the best food supplies to prepare for an emergency with our buying guide fact-checked and reviewed by registered nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales and recommended products for a few days or weeks at home so that you and your family are at ease and could keep your body healthy to function properly.
Quick List - Top Food Supplies for Emergencies
Century Food
Taste a Variety of Canned Food Products With This All in One Essentials Pack
Pacific Foods
Ready to Eat Creamy Tomato Bisque for a Hassle-Free Preparation
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Here are some key points to consider:
On times that there are emergency situations, while it is true on one hand that what you need to prioritize is the amount of food, it is also important to keep in mind the type of food that you will buy. For the body to function, a strong immune system is needed to prevent diseases and that could be acquired by consuming foods that are healthy and nutritional.
Foods that are rich in fiber take some time to digest thus, helping you feel full longer, satiating hunger. In addition, it also aids digestion and maintains bowel health. Those who are watching their weight will also benefit from a high-fiber diet.
Examples of food that are rich in fiber include whole grains like oatmeal, beans, nuts, corn, vegetables, fruits such as banana, and more.
Protein serves as the main building block for the body's tissues and organs. In this sense, enough protein intake will fuel your stamina that will give your body strength to fully function. Just like fiber, protein also has properties that reduce hunger levels and curb appetite.
Recently, protein powders have gained popularity as a meal substitute. Aside from that, there are also protein bars widely available, but be mindful that some of these products may contain a lot of sugar and artificial ingredients.
Canned goods have long been part of most, if not all, household's pantry staples because of its convenience, long shelf-life and easy storage. It ranks high on the list of emergency food items since they are ready to eat and most do not require any additional ingredients. There are various types of canned food products and these include meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, and even soups.
There have been misconceptions that canned goods equate to unhealthy processed food. While it is true that there are those kinds of products, there is also a wide range of healthy canned food options. For example, canned tuna is an excellent source of protein, omega 3-fatty acids, and minerals. If you do not have a clean source of water, canned soup only requires to be heated. Canned fruits and vegetables could be a great source of vitamins and minerals.
Some canned goods, however, contain high level of sodium, added sugar, and other artificial ingredients which make it unhealthy. With this in mind, it is highly suggested that consumers read product and nutrition label carefully.
We are not hoping for the worst case scenario, however, wouldn't it get boring if you just keep consuming the same type of food? There will absolutely be a point that you would want to prepare and eat something else. Most kids or even some adults could be picky eaters so it will be beneficial to choose products that you know you and other household members would actually eat.
Ingredients like grains and dried fruits could be eaten as is or they could be added to soups, salads, and many more. Food that are familiar could help in times of stress by some comfort that it may give. So also make sure to prepare comfort foods such as candies, peanut butter, cookies, and the like.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Century Food Essentials Pack 3 | ![]() | Taste a Variety of Canned Food Products With This All in One Essentials Pack | |
2 | Quaker Instant Oatmeal | ![]() | Get Your Fiber and Protein Fix With this Super Grain | |
3 | Lily’s Classic Peanut Butter | ![]() | Classic Peanut Butter That’s Both Nutritious and Delicious | |
4 | Pacific Foods Organic Hearty Tomato Bisque | ![]() | Ready to Eat Creamy Tomato Bisque for a Hassle-Free Preparation | |
5 | Just Fruit Mix Freeze Fried Fruit Chips | ![]() | Get Your Dose of Nutrition Without the Added Sugar | |
6 | Emco Musli Crunchy Oat Cereal With Strawberries and Almonds | ![]() | Crunchy and Fruity Cereal for Healthier Breakfasts | |
7 | Lucky Me Pancit Canton Kalamansi Cup | ![]() | Filipino Comfort Food Now Comes in a Cup for Convenience | |
8 | M.Y. San Skyflakes Crackers | ![]() | The Go-To Pinoy Cracker for Any Snack Time | |
9 | Quest Nurition Protein Bar - Chocolate Hazelnut Flavor | ![]() | A Guilt-Free, Chocolatey Protein Bar to Quickly Satisfy Your Hunger | |
10 | Epic Venison With Beef Bites | ![]() | A Portable Snack to Give You an Energy Boost |
Century Food’s Essentials Pack has got your basic survival food needs covered. It offers quite the assortment, so you won’t get sick of eating the same food. They’re particularly handy if you ever find yourself in a situation without electricity. They are easy to prepare and, depending on the variety, can be eaten straight out of the can.
It contains the obligatory sardinas and tuna, which are great sources of calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and other important nutrients. You’ll also find canned giniling, corned beef and chicken, and even pork and beans, which is also nutritious. So, you can satisfy both your hunger and your appetite.
Moreover, it includes powdered milk, which is often fortified with nutrients and has a much stabler shelf life in contrast to fresh milk. Other items like condensed milk might not seem useful, but if you’ve got crackers or bread, then it can serve as palaman. You’ve got yourself a sweet merienda to boot.
When it comes to food supplies for emergencies, oatmeal is one you should stock up on—and Quaker Oats is probably the brand that comes to mind. Their Instant variety only requires hot water, no need to cook it over the stove, making it ideal in situations where you can’t prepare elaborate ulam.
Oatmeal is also considered a volume food, meaning it is nutritious, low in calories, and very filling. Just 100g of oatmeal can give you 15% of your daily value of fiber, about 2x more than white rice. It is also packed with protein to help maintain your body’s tissues and contains beta-glucan to help lower your cholesterol.
It may come as a surprise, but peanut butter is actually an excellent food supply for emergencies. This is because peanut butter is nutrient-dense, readily available, and easy on the budget. Not to mention, peanut butter is really tasty, and it is a classic comfort food that kids and adults can enjoy.
It is also very convenient as it requires no preparation. You can just scoop it out of the jar and eat it. This makes great food to have if you ever find yourself in a situation where you can’t cook or have no other supplies. Moreover, Lily’s peanut butter only contains 3 ingredients, namely peanuts, cane sugar, and iodized salt!
If you ever experience blackouts, don’t have gas, or running water, then ready-to-eat food items are your best bet. You could try instant soups like Pacific Food’s Tomato Bisque if you want to switch up your food options. It consists of a flavorful, thick, creamy, and hearty soup with chunks of tomato.
Although this soup costs a little more than other brands, it certainly contains all the good and healthy ingredients that your body will thank you for. It is also gluten-free, soy-free, vegetarian, wheat-free, and yeast-free. Even kids who are picky eaters can enjoy this soup.
Fresh Fruit is undoubtedly out of the question if you’re preparing your emergency food supply. And although canned fruits are a convenient option, you should consider freeze-dried fruits as they retain a majority of the Fruit’s nutrients. Just Fruit is the country’s pioneer of freeze-dried Fruit.
Their Fruit Mix contains no added ingredients, just the fruits themselves, namely mango, banana, and pineapple. It also contains no preservatives, additives, or even sugar! Dried Fruit can provide the nutrients you need during emergency situations, and they’re tasty too. Plus, they have a 3-year-long shelf life, which is great for long-term storage.
It can be tempting to load up on canned goods since they are quick, convenient, and tasty. But, you can find emergency food supplies that’s nutritious as it is delicious, like this cereal from Emco. It contains oat, so you have a source of fiber and beta-glucan to keep cholesterol and blood sugar levels in check.
It also contains freeze-dried strawberries and sliced almonds to add variety to the cereal. In addition, it is low in salt, does not use palm oil, and has no artificial colors and preservatives. This makes it a great breakfast or snack for both adults and children.
Sometimes, choosing food supplies for emergencies includes not just basic survival food but the occasional comfort food as well. And what better comfort food than pancit canton? Lucky Me’s Kalamansi is now available in a cup and is ready to eat in just 3 minutes, saving you the trouble of cooking it on the stove.
Being an all-time favorite, this product can be eaten at any time of the day, fills the stomach, and always leaves a level of satisfaction after eating. Not to mention, instant noodles have a long shelf-life. Just be reminded that too many instant noodles would not be good for the body.
Skyflakes Crackers have been a Pinoy favorite for generations—light, crispy, and ideal on their own or with palaman. Each multipack provides 10 packs of three crackers, perfect for snacking at home or on the go. They contain no caffeine or artificial ingredients, making them a worry-free choice for everyone.
In emergencies, when fresh bread is out of reach, Skyflakes make a great substitute. Their long shelf life and practical packaging make them easy to stockpile for quick energy. Many praise the satisfyingly crispy texture of this plain biscuit, making it a top choice for snacking alone or paired with other foods.
Protein bars are a solid option for your emergency food stash. They may be tiny but they sure pack a punch and can quickly satisfy your hunger. Each bar is loaded with 14g of fiber and 20g of protein, which will alleviate hunger while providing good nutrition for the body.
Quest Nutrition’s protein bar is packed with chocolate chunks and hazelnuts, and it has a soft, creamy texture with a bit of nutty crunch. Some even say it is as if you’re eating hazelnut spread. Although some protein bars contain high-sugar content this only has 1 gram of sugar per bar making it guilt-free!
Aside from canned goods, one way you could get your source of protein is from jerky. That’s right, jerky isn’t just a treat for your dogs or the occasional snack for you. It could be classified as a survival food. The meat is already dehydrated, making it shelf stable, so you don’t have to worry about it going rancid.
Jerky is also lightweight, so if you’re planning on assembling an emergency go bag, it won’t weigh as much as canned goods. Epic’s venison jerky has a short ingredient list and is made of 100% grass-fed beef and spices. Plus, it contains 10g of protein and less than 1 gram of net carbs, ideal if you need a portable snack to fuel your hunger.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Simply put, we can’t tell when emergencies will occur. And, when they do happen, you only have a matter of hours or sometimes even minutes to take action, which can often make people panic. This leads to poor decision-making, therefore, poor actions. Being prepared for emergencies can help you protect your family and your life. It will also put your mind at ease because you have one less thing to worry about.
Ideally, the basement is where you should store your food supply for emergencies. Basements are cool, dark, and away from sunlight. However, not all of us have basements in our homes, especially those living in condo units or apartments.
If you don’t have a basement, the best thing would be to store them in your pantry or to dedicate a space that could serve as your pantry. The important thing is to keep it away from sunlight as it can degrade your food supply’s quality.
Your emergency kit should contain drinking water. Aim to allot 1 gallon per person, and it should be able to last them for several days. A first aid kit containing medication, antiseptic or disinfectant, ointments, and more, especially in situations where people could get injured or fall ill, is also imperative.
Depending on how big your emergency go bag is, you could also include a complete change of clothes and blankets. While you’re at it, don’t forget supplies like flashlights, batteries, a radio, and a utility knife. Moreover, you should always have important family documents on hand in case your home gets ravaged.
Food supplies for emergencies aren’t the only thing you should consider. Below are some other buying guide links of useful items for emergencies! Do you already have them in your emergency kit?
Author: Issa Honda
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Century Food|Essentials Pack 3
No. 2: Quaker|Instant Oatmeal
No. 3: Lily’s|Classic Peanut Butter
No. 4: Pacific Foods|Organic Hearty Tomato Bisque
No. 5: Just Fruit|Mix Freeze Fried Fruit Chips
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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