When bread, milk, and bottled water are in short supply, here are some good alternatives to add to your hurricane kit.

A looming storm inevitably empties shelves at your local grocery store. Once the basic bread, milk, and bottled water are gone, here are some other options that will get you through. When you're faced with the potential for days without electricity, simple healthy options that are filling work best.

Canned fruit and vegetables

Corn, baked beans, and seasoned greens taste almost as good as fresh when eaten right out of the can. As for the fruit, it can be a healthy snack or dessert in a pinch, and it's a hydrating bonus if you can find it packed in juice.

Jiffy Pop

This childhood favorite of popcorn in a foil-covered disposable pan can be made over a fire, Sterno, or grill and it does double duty as a fun activity for kids. Try to find the unsalted variety if you can, and add your own seasonings.

Tortillas

Flour tortillas keep well at room temperature and they're incredibly filling. They're almost better than standard white bread because they can be stacked without fear of being crushed. Pair them with some canned refried beans for a convenient, hand-held meal. You can even smear them with peanut butter and jelly or some Nutella for a sweet treat.

Seltzer

According to the University of Chicago, this carbonated beverage is just as hydrating as "regular" water. You can even use the unflavored version to cook with, just as you would use tap water. If you can't find bottled or distilled water, head to the soda aisle and load up on unsweetened seltzer. After the storm passes, you can use this to make fizzy juice drinks and cocktails!

Powdered Milk

Make a beeline for the baking aisle and get some powdered milk if you're a big cereal fan. With nothing more than a tablespoon and some plain water, you can make a jar full of milk in just seconds. It may seem expensive, but this convenient item is shelf-stable and can also be used for making your own baking mixes. It's infinitely better than canned or boxed milk because the packets don't require refrigeration once opened.

Soups and Stews

As boring as they seem, cans of prepared soup and stew can stave off hunger in a pinch. Choose cans with a lengthy shelf-life, and don't forget the crackers and can opener! Creamy condensed soups can be mixed with instant rice and canned chicken or tuna for campfire casseroles.

Fresh root vegetables

Believe it or not, fresh carrots will be a welcome crunchy treat if you're stuck without many food options. Properly stored root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and yams will keep for weeks as long as they are not bruised or blemished. There's a reason why early settlers kept a root cellar for the winter.

Baked potatoes in a grill or fire pit couldn't be simpler to prepare. Just scrub and poke them with a fork, then wrap them in foil and let them bake in the coals (or over indirect heat on the grill) until they're soft to the touch. If you have a storm coming, wash, dry, and wrap your potatoes ahead of time to make things even easier.

What are some of your favorite storm kit groceries? Share your ideas with us in the comments.