Non-perishable food can never be missing in our kitchen. Normally we find them canned, and it is good to have them since their shelf life is quite long. They also don’t need to be refrigerated while unopened, so they can be stored at room temperature in a cabinet or pantry.
These foods are very useful for different situations or special cases. In case of emergencies, charities and charities always opt for this type of food. It is also the favorite food of campers and backpackers. However, some of these foods have many preservatives. Therefore, it is important to know which are the healthiest non-perishable foods .
The best non-perishable foods
1. Canned and dried beans
They have a fairly long shelf life (2 to 5 years for canned and up to 10 years for dry). In addition, it is a pretty smart option, since they have high levels of nutrients that the body needs to take care of itself properly. Among the most important, we have the following:
- Protein of vegetable origin.
- Fiber.
- Manganese.
- Magnesium.
- Iron.
- Vitamins B.
- Copper.
- Match.
- Zinc.
They can be combined with many other types of food, thus increasing the nutritional value at mealtime. They are perfect for a soup, salads or a good plate of grains with vegetables.
2. Dried fruits and vegetables
Normally, fresh fruits and vegetables have a very short shelf life, but this is not the case for dried ones. It has been proven that in this state they can become a good option as a non-perishable food. Fruits can last up to 1 year in good storage, and vegetables up to 6 months.
Many do not know it, but there can be a great variety of fruits and vegetables of this type; like apples, carrots, berries, and even tomatoes. Even with the help of a dehydrator we can dry any fresh fruit or vegetables that we have and thus store it in a vacuum-sealed packaging.
This food can be used as a healthy snack or snack for the afternoon snack. In the case of vegetables, they can be rehydrated by putting them in a soup or stew.
We leave you the best offers of food dehydrators
3. Nut butters
This food is creamy, healthy and very delicious. However, here the type of food can influence the shelf life.
Peanut butter made with preservatives is capable of being preserved for up to 9 months at room temperature. But, the one that is manufactured naturally, lasts about 3 months at 10 ° C and barely 1 month at 25 ° C (Chin, Mahyudin, Rozalli and Yusof, 2015). On the other hand, almond butter can be preserved for up to 1 year at room temperature; while, under those same conditions, cashew butter lasts 3 months.
Nut butters can be taken on a camping trip and will retain their flavor. They are a rich source of nutrients, natural fats, proteins, antioxidants and even plant compounds that help preserve the body, protecting it from oxidative stress and the damage caused by free radicals that come in other not so healthy foods (Bao et al., 2016).
4. Canned fish and poultry
These are foods that are packed with nutrients and compounds essential for good health, but they are not very long lasting. The good news is that there are also non-perishable presentations of these foods.
Canned tuna and other types of fish can be stored for up to 5 years at room temperature. In the case of shellfish, they can last up to 18 months, or even longer if they are in cans or vacuum sealed bags.
Canned meats can last the same as fish , but for those in bags, ideal for travel because of their light weight, you should consult the information on the packaging.
5. Granola protein bars
Being so light and taking up very little space, this non-perishable food is among the favorites of hikers and backpackers, they are even used by astronauts.
At room temperature, both granola and protein bars can keep for a year, although it’s always best to check the label.
It is important to choose the type of bar well and look for those that are abundant in different types of food such as oats and dried fruits. Those that contain either sugar or artificial ingredients should contain them in small amounts.
6. Soups
Soup is an easy food to make that can save the day when you have nothing planned. Both canned and dried are perfect as non-perishable foods, and are actually the preferred choice of charities.
The vast majority of canned soups can last up to 5 years at room temperature, thanks to their low acidity. However, there are exceptions for those that are made from tomato, whose shelf life is only a year and a half. In the case of dry soups, they can be preserved for a year, although it is advisable to verify that information on the label.
The important thing is to choose those soups that are rich in healthy ingredients; such as meat, vegetables and especially low-salt products, since excessive consumption of salt is harmful to health.
7. Stable and non-dairy milk
Both fresh milk, such as almond and coconut milk, should be refrigerated. But there is an exception: stable and non-dairy ones, since they can be kept at room temperature and unopened.
Stable, or long-life, milk is processed differently. It is heated to much higher temperatures than normal, and it is also packed with sterile material. This type of milk can last up to 9 months if it is kept at a temperature of 4 to 20 ° C, unopened (Höjer et al., 2019).
In the case of those that are made from plants, such as soy; as long as they are kept in flexible materials such as plastic, aluminum and paper; they can last up to 10 months. Coconut milk, while canned, can be preserved for up to 5 years.
Long-life plant-based milk can be kept open if there is no refrigeration, as long as it is powdered and stored in a cool, dark place. Thus, it can be preserved for 3 to 5 years.
8. Jerky
The process to make the jerky is simple in a sense, since only the meat must be cured in a saline solution, and then dehydrated. Some brands or people use preservatives, artificial flavorings and other types of products.
There are many types of jerky . It has salmon meat, beef and even chicken. For those who lead a vegan lifestyle there are coconut and banana alternatives.
This food can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 year, although if it is made at home, it is recommended for 2 months. It should also be taken into account that it should be consumed in moderation, since there are products that use high amounts of salt, sugars, colorings and flavorings.
References
- Bao, Y., Fuchs, C., Giovannucci, E., Hu, F., Keum, N., Malik, V., Stampfer, N. and Yu, Z. (2016). Associations between nut consumption and inflammatory biomarkers. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition . doi: 10.3945 / ajcn.116.134205.
- Chin, N., Mahyudin, N., Rozalli, N. and Yusof, Y. (2015). Quality changes of stabilizer-free natural peanut butter during storage. Journal of Food Science and Technology . doi: 10.1007 / s13197-015-2006-x.
- Höjer, A., Innings, F., Karlsson, M., Langton, M., Lundh, Â., Malmgren, B. and Wisktröm, M. (2019). Changes in stability and shelf-life of ultra-high temperature treated milk during long term storage at different temperatures. Heliyon . doi: 10.1016 / j.heliyon.2019.e02431.
