If you wouldn't normally eat something, don't think you'll be any happier about it in a survival situation. Of course, one would get to the point that any food would be welcome, but my point is (as was stated before) store things that are part of your regular diet. When I'm trying a new soup or stew for the first time I think to myself, "Would I grab this out of the pantry when the mood struck, or would I leave this till the last possible thing to keep myself from starving?" If I'd eat it on any given day, then I'll buy more, but if it would be a last resort food, then I don't.

I think Ramen noodles have a shelf life of about 300 years, don't they? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Especially on a budget, you don't have to stock everything all at once either. Buy a few extras of the things on your grocery list every time you shop. Just remember when you rotate the stock you have to use the old restaurant acronym FIFO (First In, First Out). Most canned items have a shelf life of a couple of years at the very least, but if you rotate regularly, then you won't have to find out how accurate the shelf life date is.

And I agree, get rid of dented cans. In the 21st century, some people may find botox is okay to inject into their faces, but it can still be deadly to your intestines!