In response to potential strains on food supply chains due to factors like climate change, cyber-attacks, disease outbreaks, and conflicts, experts are advising consumers on what food items to stock up on for emergencies. Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle has indicated that the climate phenomenon El Niño could lead to more extreme weather events in the UK. Professor Richard Wilding, a supply chain strategy expert, suggests that while global shipping is adapting, consumers should be prepared for potential shortages of previously abundant items.
Dr. Sammie Gill, a senior nutrition scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation, recommends prioritizing complex carbohydrates such as wheat biscuits, wholegrain cereals, crackers, breads, oats, rice, and pasta. Proteins to consider include canned chickpeas, lentils, kidney beans, unsalted nuts, peanut butter, and canned oily fish like tuna, mackerel, and sardines. Consultant dietitian Rebecca McManamon adds tinned fruit, noting its juice can provide additional fluids, vitamins, and fiber, as well as pickled foods like vegetables and eggs. Both experts also suggest stocking long-life milk for protein, calcium, and fluid.
When selecting tinned items, Gill advises checking for salt and sugar content, recommending water as the healthiest option over brine or syrups. She also cautions against instant noodles and tinned soup due to high salt levels, and breakfast cereals and snack bars with added sugars and limited nutrients. Tinned fish is preferred over processed tinned meats like sausages, hot dogs, or corned beef, which are often high in salt and saturated fat. Sweet treats like biscuits and chocolates should be limited due to their high sugar content.
To make essential foods more palatable, McManamon suggests stocking nuts as a sweet alternative, while being mindful of their shorter shelf life. Dried herbs, spices, and salt are also recommended to add flavor to tinned foods, which can sometimes be bland. Regarding hydration, McManamon states that individuals should aim for 1,500-2,500ml of fluid daily, which can be met through bottled water or fluid-rich tinned foods. Dr. Gill reassures that canned food can be a nutritious part of a healthy diet, with minimal nutritional differences in macronutrients and fat-soluble vitamins compared to fresh food, although some B and C vitamins may be reduced during the canning process.