John WinterMREs (Meals, Ready-to-Eat) were originally created for field operatives, but have found their way into survivalists’ backpacks. They are compact and can last a long time as long as they are kept cool, dark, and dry.
They come with a flameless heat pack that activates with just a small amount of water. They can also be eaten cold if necessary.
1. They are ready to eat.
MREs, which stand for Meal, Ready-to-Eat, contain everything a soldier needs to eat on short, lightweight patrol missions. They can even be airdropped to troops in remote locations.
The meals are high in calories and fats, so they will provide you with the energy you need for your mission. They also come with a flameless heater that makes it easy to heat the food without getting burned.
If you consume too many MREs for a long time, however, your body may revolt. Just like any other new diet, your body will not be used to the food and you will likely experience side effects, such as changes in urine, diarrhea, and appetite. The same is true for other freeze-dried foods. It is important to balance the MREs with other sources of nutrition, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.
2. They are portable.
Unlike canned food, which requires refrigeration, mres for sale are easily transported in a backpack or other bag. This makes them a convenient choice for survivalists and outdoor enthusiasts who want to prepare for emergencies and disasters.
Military MREs are specifically designed to meet the high calorie and nutritional needs of active service members who operate in some of the harshest environments on earth. They come with flameless ration heaters, cutlery and other “extras” to make it easier for soldiers to dine on their MREs while on the go.
A common myth is that MREs lack taste and variety, but the truth is that these meals are carefully formulated to provide a well-rounded mix of calories and essential vitamins and minerals. You can even use a small rocket stove to boil water and cook MREs for extra convenience.
3. They are easy to prepare.
The heat-source within the MRE is simple to use and doesn’t require an oven. They’re ideal for long-term survival food and are especially useful in emergencies where it’s not safe to use a stove, or firewood is scarce.
A good alternative to MREs is to stock your bug out bag and home emergency supplies with dehydrated foods that are already cooked (such as instant ramen). These are usually much less expensive than military grade MREs, have twice the amount of entree options and can be stored in a cool place for a much longer time.
You can store them in pantries, temperature-controlled garages or basements, and can even freeze them to prolong the shelf life, just make sure you cycle them out regularly as they expire. You can also puncture the packages of instant ramen, crackers and other dry items with thumbtacks before vacuum sealing to let out air, which makes them more compact.
4. They are nutritious.
Although military MRE’s contain everything a soldier needs to survive in the most extreme environments, it would be very difficult for anyone to live on them long term. They are high in fat and salt, requiring much heavy physical activity to burn them off.
The food is vacuum sealed and can be eaten cold but most people prefer to heat it up. The flameless heater inside the package works in less than a minute to provide hot meals without the need for any other equipment.
They are a good option for those who enjoy camping or other outdoor activities, want to be prepared in case of an emergency, or are looking for a way to get ready for disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes. However, there are better options available from reputable emergency food suppliers that will provide you with more variety and a longer shelf life.
5. They are affordable.
MREs are expensive, and this is largely due to the packaging. The meals are packaged in multiple types of containers to withstand harsh conditions, and this is reflected in the price. They also come with a flameless heat pack that needs a small amount of water to activate (it doesn’t even touch the food) and they’re pretty heavy compared to other freeze-dried emergency foods.
You can find MREs on eBay and Amazon, but you have no idea how long they sat on a truck in the desert or in a warehouse before the government disposed of them. If you buy surplus MREs, it’s not hard to find them for cheaper, but they won’t last as long. It’s best to choose a brand that offers a warranty on their products.
Zachary Douglas
