MREs have been around for a long time, dating back to World War II. But unless you were a service member of the armed forces or knew somebody who was, chances are you’ve never heard of one. MREs, or Meals-Ready-to-Eat, are self-contained meals that require no cooking or heating, and each package contains a complete, ready-to-eat meal for one person. Here’s what you need to know about MREs.
In case you missed this post, 30 Items You Need To Survive A Pandemic.
The United States Armed Forces has made it the primary food ration for its members since 1980. While many servicemen and women dreaded having to eat them, by the time they were veterans, they missed them.
The MRE package is designed to stay protected from the elements while its food portions can last on the shelf for several years. Though it’s not recommended that you resort to only eating MREs, they do contain all the necessary calories and nutrients to hold you over during an emergency.
Which is why many preppers and civilians have already gotten their hands on them. Hence, civilian MREs and MIlitary MREs. Fortunately, it’s not that hard for you to find them. Here’s more on what to know about MREs. Please note that I do not purchase MREs or premade meals for my food storage, but I wanted everyone to understand what these meals are.
I have tried many Mountain House ready-to-eat meals (add water), but they have such a short shelf life that I didn’t want them. Some tasted pretty good. They are perfect for hikers and hunters, as they are lightweight and easy to carry in a backpack.
Bugging In by Raymond Dean White
“Prepare Your Family For Survival” by Linda Loosli
Butane Stove and Butane Canisters
What To Know About MREs
What is an MRE?
An MRE is a packaged food product that has been finely processed, canned, and sometimes freeze-dried to extend its shelf life. The military has used them as combat rations for several decades now, but civilians can enjoy them too.
The entree includes meat, vegetables, fruit, carbs, dessert, and a drink. Some of the main dishes from the menu for MREs include spaghetti, chicken and noodles, chili with beans, spinach fettuccine, rice and beans, chicken burrito bowls, and bacon, potatoes, and hashbrowns for breakfast.
Each MRE is packaged in a pouch that can survive the elements and comes with several different items. Every MRE comes with a heating source that requires a small amount of water to help create an electrostatic charge, along with the ingredients magnesium, iron, and sodium chloride. With this combination, it can heat an MRE to 100 degrees in very little time.
What is in an MRE?
If you want to find out precisely what meal options are out there, take a look at this MRE menu. Please note that the United States military updates its information every year, so don’t be surprised if a few changes are made.
On average, every MRE contains approximately 1250 calories, with 13% protein, 51% carbohydrates, and 36% fat. Eating 3 MREs is equivalent to having three meals. The following list includes examples of some of the food items that come with a military MRE:
- Main entree: Beef stew or spaghetti
- Side dishes: Mashed potatoes, corn, rice, fruit
- Bread or crackers
- Spread: Cheese spread, peanut butter, or jelly
- Seasoning or hot sauce ( only in certain packaging)
- Beverage: Coffee, tea, Gatorade drink mixes, dairy shakes
- Dessert: Pound cakes or cookies
- Candy: Tootsie rolls, M&M’s, or skittles
- Flameless ration heater
- Other Accessories: Sugar, salt, creamer, matches, spoon, toilet paper, chewing gum, etc.
Is it a Good Source of Nutrients?
When looking at the list of food items that are in an MRE, you may think to yourself that there’s not much nutrition there. But you’d be surprised. While an MRE is not meant to replace your regular meal completely, it does contain the necessary food and calories to sustain you.
The military uses them because they’re convenient and can hold soldiers over when needed, particularly when the soldiers are out on patrol or in specialized training exercises.
MREs contain several vitamins and minerals along with enough calories to keep you going. Preppers often store them in their emergency kits for use in the event of a disaster. That way, if their fresh food is limited or damaged, they’ll still be left with something that can sustain them.
How Long Do They Last?
Your average MRE is meant to last for up to 3-5 years when stored at the proper temperatures of around 70 degrees. When temperatures exceed this, the shelf life will be significantly decreased. The civilian MREs have a longer shelf life due to the shorter shelf life of the ingredients included in military MREs.
However, you’re not going to get sick if you decide to eat an expired MRE. There are known instances where soldiers have consumed expired MREs that were more than 10 years past the coded expiration date, indicating that MREs may not have a standard expiration date. It’s also recommended that you always cook your MRE, even though it’s something that’s not required.
Where Can I Find MREs?
Even though you may never have seen an MRE at your local grocery store, they’re not that hard to find. There are two kinds of MREs, the civilian and the military options. It’s illegal to buy or sell military MREs, but there are still ways for veterans to obtain them. Here are a few different ways:
Army Surplus Store
Many army surplus stores carry MREs, whether it’s online or off-post. Just pay close attention to what they try to charge for them. You could wind up paying close to $100.00 for only one case. It’s best to get it from someone who knows and is involved in the military base of operations, that way you save yourself a bunch of money.
Ask Your Military Friend
When the military can no longer use expired or overstocked MREs, soldiers can then put them to good use.
Online and Auction Sites
You can purchase your MREs online or through an auction site. Most of the websites list the manufacturing date, so you know what you’re getting. Be aware that if you purchase military MREs online or on an auction site, you’re buying expired MREs, and this practice is also considered illegal by the military.
I can see that Amazon sells some “MREs” that look like military, but I do not feel comfortable listing the link. They do not specify ‘civilian,’ so I will leave it at that. Most of the buckets you see at Sam’s Club or Costco are, in reality, MREs; they look different and have very few calories.
Please exercise caution when purchasing one of those buckets. They have different expiration dates on each packet. No problem, but take a closer look and educate yourself.
Final Word
MREs are a food source that every prepper should have in their emergency kits. They provide all the necessary nutrients and calories to keep you energized, and if it comes down to it, you also don’t necessarily have to heat them. Just remember to keep them stored in a place with a temperature that doesn’t exceed 70 degrees. May God bless this world, Linda.
Copyright Images: MRE Meals Ready To Eat Deposit photos_383459878_s-2019
The post What to Know About MREs appeared first on Food Storage Moms.
from Food Storage Moms
No comments:
Post a Comment