Your three-month food supply should contain foods that you and your family normally eat on a regular basis.

This is the food that is familiar to your body, and that your body is used to digesting. Sudden and drastic changes to your diet can sometimes cause digestive or health problems. For example, if you normally eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables suddenly changing to diet of dry beans and wheat is very hard on your body’s digestive system and can cause painful gas and bloating.

It is important to mix longer-term food items like grain into your normal diet so that your body gets used to them.

Eating familiar foods can give your family some comfort and reassurance while you are dealing with crisis or other stressful situation.

If your family eats a lot of fresh produce your storage shelves contain nonperishable substitutes such as canned and dry fruits and vegetables.