Bread and milk are terrible blizzard rations — here's what you should actually buy

Winter storm Jonas is brewing on the East Coast and is projected to start dumping snow and freezing rain on Friday night. So you should run to the store and buy bread and milk, right?

Wrong.

Bread and milk expire pretty quickly and require refrigeration. They're also pretty light on the nutrients and won't keep you satiated and supplemented as you ride out the weather.

The trick is to buy foods that don't won't expire quickly or need to be refrigerated. They should be easy to prepare, easy to eat, high in protein, and provide enough variety to keep you full and happy for days.

Here are 13 better items for your grocery-store run.

1. Peanut butter: It's high-protein and lasts for months.

2. Canned soups and chili: You can eat it straight out of the can. It's also packed with nutrients. You might want to avoid soups loaded with sodium and artificial flavorings, though.

See photos of Winter Storm Jonas preparation:

3. Avocados: If you're lucky enough to live in a region that supplies avocados year-round, stock up on a few. They're high in protein, easy to eat, and will liven up any sandwich, soup, or dip.

4. Bottled water: If your water supply becomes contaminated, bottled water is a great way to keep yourself hydrated and can be used to rinse your fruit, vegetables, and body. Save plastic — and money — by grabbing larger containers.

5. Protein bars: Quick, easy way to get some calories and protein without the work.

6. Crackers: Slather on some peanut butter or used them as a sliced-bread substitute for a sandwich.

7. Multivitamins: Replenish essential vitamins quickly.

8. Canned beans: They're versatile and oh so nutritious and yummy.

9. Dried meat: Who says these are only for meatheads? Lock in the protein with this savory snack — just watch out for the extra salt.

10. Nuts and trail mix: They're easy to eat, high in protein, satisfying, and don't require refrigeration.

11. Cereal: Multigrain cereals are a nutritious, pleasurable snack. If you passed on the fresh milk, try using powdered milk or eat it dry.

12. Canned tuna: Tuna is a great source of protein and is easy to prepare. Just don't forget a can opener!

13. Seasonings: One of the simplest and arguably most important things is to add some flavor to bland foods.

RELATED: How prices stack up at popular grocery store chains

For more tips on how to prepare for the storm, check out our handy guide here.

SEE ALSO:Here's what to expect from the 'paralyzing' blizzard set to clobber the Northeast later today

CHECK OUT: An inch of snow is already causing headaches in Washington DC — here's what that looks like