Top 5 Foods That Can Endure the Apocalypse

Many people are preparing for doomsday, but let's face it: While they might hope their canned supplies will last through a nuclear catastrophe, the reality is that very little will remain.

While fresh fruits and vegetables won't be much use in a crisis, the secret to surviving an apocalypse lies in foods packed with additives and preservatives. These five items may not withstand a nuclear explosion, but they’ll certainly serve you better than a box of broccoli (no disrespect to broccoli).

5: Twinkies

Ever heard the tale about stores still selling Twinkies from 1930? Or that they’re filled with embalming fluid? When discussing long shelf lives, people often joke that Twinkies and cockroaches would outlast a nuclear disaster. While these claims are just urban myths, it’s true that Twinkies are loaded with artificial ingredients (like Polysorbate 60), though only a few act as preservatives. Twinkies disappeared from shelves in 2012 but made a comeback after the company was purchased out of bankruptcy in 2013. Despite the legend of their eternal shelf life, an opened Twinkie lasts about 25 days, and the oldest known specimen has survived for 46 years. For apocalypse prep, you might want something more durable.

4: Processed Cheese

When the term "product" or "food" is added to a food item, it’s a clear indicator that you’re consuming more chemicals than actual food. Take cheese product, for example. Those plastic-wrapped slices contain minimal real cheese. "Pasteurized process cheese food" must include at least 51 percent cheese, but the remainder is a mix of additives. It gets worse with "pasteurized process cheese product" and outright "imitation cheese," made from vegetable oil. While imitation cheese can last for months, finding bread for a post-apocalyptic grilled cheese will be a challenge.

3: Spam

Spam, a food surrounded by urban myths, often evokes disgust with its gelatinous, pink meat block. Its ingredient list isn’t overly complex or alarming — pork shoulder, ham, salt, sugar, sodium nitrite, and water — but the salt content is intense. A single serving provides 33 percent of your daily sodium intake, though a lower-sodium version with 25 percent less salt is available. Sodium nitrite, a preservative that prevents bacterial growth and maintains the meat’s color, is widely advised against by experts. It’s probably best if Spam remains untouched on your shelf for years.

2: Jell-O

Let’s clear this up — Jell-O isn’t made from horse hooves but from cow and pig hides and bones. Sounds better, doesn’t it? Many delicious foods, like cream cheese and marshmallows, contain gelatin, but it’s the primary ingredient in Jell-O. Combined with water, sugar, and artificial colors and flavors, you’re essentially consuming processed animal byproducts. Still, it’s a must-have for your bunker because, even in a post-apocalyptic world, who can resist Jell-O?

1: Nondairy Creamer

Using nondairy creamer makes sense if you’re lactose-intolerant and need a touch of sweetness in your morning coffee, or if it’s the only option in the office kitchen or auto shop during an oil change. But why not opt for a splash of regular milk? It’s harmless and doesn’t contain dipotassium phosphate (a pesticide) or sodium aluminosilicate (a flammable substance). Yes, nondairy creamer can ignite with a spark — so keep it far from matches in your bunker.