Most businesses are bracing for a downward slide as recession sets in and people begin to slow their spending or halt it altogether. But it's not all doom and gloom in the economy.

According to one expert, there are a number of businesses out there that thrive while everyone else is struggling just to survive. As a result, those industries offer some rare bright lights in a steadily dimming job market.

"There's always opportunity in every economy and it just so happens that recessions breed all sorts of counter-cyclical opportunities that people can exploit," Ian Portsmouth, of Profit Magazine told CTV's Canada AM.

"We've all heard about Campbell Soup stock going up, because at this point in time people want to buy low-cost comfort food."

And McDonald's restaurants across the country aren't pulling any Big Macs or McChickens off the grill either.

"McDonalds' sales went up 8 per cent in October over the year prior because people are downgrading their dining out options," Portsmouth said.

"And we'll also see big opportunities in things like health care, wireless services and outsourcers."

Healthcare is an industry that remains pretty consistent regardless of the economic situation, he said. And companies that help the healthcare industry streamline or improve cost-savings and efficiency, tend to see increases in business during periods of belt-tightening.

"Anywhere in the economy where you can reduce the costs for consumers you're going to do well," Portsmouth said.

Companies that provide wireless services are also largely protected, because cellphones have transformed in recent years from a luxury, to a necessity.

"Consumers are continuously upgrading to smart phones, things like the BlackBerry, and there are all kinds of services and accessories people can buy for their cells," he said.

"The interesting thing about cellphones is they are no longer a discretionary item among Canadians -- you have to have it just like you have your TV."

Companies that offer outsourcing also tend to perform strongly during times of economic uncertainty, because companies that enact major layoffs still need to function.

"When people are laid off they typically leave jobs that still need to get done, so we'll see a growth in outsourcing services, IT support, payroll services and temp placement agencies that need to help fill the gap," Portsmouth said.

Following is a list of businesses that most experts agree will thrive during the economic storm, and as a result, where investment and employment are likely most secure:

• Comfort foods: Campbell's Soup, Stagg Chili, candy-makers, McDonald's and Burger King -- companies that provide low-cost, feel-good foods tend to perform strongly during times of economic recession, and that is expected to be the case this time around.
• Drug stores: With Shoppers Drug Mart set to open a fancy, new high-end new store in a wealthy Toronto neighbourhood, it seems the company isn't too worried about losing its market share during a recession. Indeed, pharmacies are considered a safe-bet for investors during economic slowdowns because they sell products you can't really do without. Well, maybe you don't need the $90 face cream, but you do need toothpaste.
• Education: No matter how bad the economy gets, the school system isn't going anywhere. Teachers are embedded in one of the safest careers going, along with school administrators and support staff. Those who supply the education sector -- pumping text books and other learning materials into classrooms, are also safer than most.
• Security: Airports, train stations, ports, borders -- travel and transport hubs of all sorts rely on security workers to maintain safety and ensure proper protocols are observed. Those jobs also tend to be safe during periods of recession - because there's simply not much fat to cut.
• Wireless service providers: Cellphones have must-have status across Canada and the world. We need them for work, for fun and for just about everything, everyday. So business in the wireless sector isn't likely to take a tumble. In fact it might actually increase as companies try to cut costs and streamline business, turning to technology like video conferencing to reduce travel expenses.