Would You Intentionally Eat an MRE
 

Assuming you aren't a soldier/working for an aid agency/working in rough conditions, would you deliberately pack and eat an MRE if you are in a 1st world city with plenty of restaurants and food stores.

The reason I ask is that I purchase MREs at a government surplus store and use them for hiking and hunting. I eat them cold and pay about 10 dollars for an entire pack (entree, dessert, fruit, other sides) and sometimes purchase a 12-pack for less than list price. The end result is I eat some very good MREs and some bad ones (flavor, texture, not due date) because I've bought them by the case. The result is for about ten dollars, I get a meal which is nutritionally sound, if not appealing.

Would you, given all other options as possible, pack and eat an MRE? I'm thinking of a trip where you're pressed for time, and an MRE in the back of the limo means you don't have to go to a restaurant when you get there, which means more time asleep? Or perhaps you simply don't want to go out, and an MRE at the computer is a better option? Are there any situations you can think of where an MRE is a good choice?

When I was little, my mother made me travel with Powerbars or nutri-grain bars. Now that I'm an adult, I've been eating all sorts of crazy food, and sometimes a pouch of breakfast sausages (MRE entree) is as good for me as a half dozen fruit bars.

For me, the best reasons I'd use one is for practicality. I need more time in bed, I don't speak the language, I am working and can't get room service, I simply can't go out at night without an escort, etc. I also find they play havoc on your digestive system, so it sometimes makes sense to avoid them, or at least eat as few as possible. What is your opinion on the matter?

I know MREs are designed for soldiers, but really, (and this isn't a troll, this is a serious quetion), does anybody else like them?

Chuck

I've never had a reason to try one. You don't make them sound fabulous. I'm thinking i could get a meal for less on the road most places (including frozen microwave type) so I wouldn't do it to save money. I don't travel anywhere that dangerous or confusing. And part of the appeal of camping is outdoor cooking.

I'd try one but wouldn't buy them by the case. That's for sure. You might call out the best and worst in your opinion here for those who would try one or two.

I wouldnt because they are usually very high in calories. Also, the ingredients are meant to be long lasting not great quality. They can be difficult to digest also I think. I think they are fine for the purpose they serve but nothing I would like to eat on a regular basis.

I've tasted portions of one before. It's not great, it's not bad. They are fairly high calorie, but everything is individually packaged, so you don't need to eat everything at once. I generally wouldn't eat them, although I could see tossing some of the sides that don't require warming in a carry-on for a long trip, just in case I get hungry.

I'm told there are certain MREs which are better than others, but that some of them (4 fingers of death hot dogs come to mind) are better off left unopened, or left behind for the enemy.

my family survived on pre mri's in the 1940's. spam, ham, and butter.

My years spent in the military have given me a great disdain for MREs and I only eat them in the field when nothing else is available. There are far better options and premade meal kits available. Price wise, I would consider MREs fairly expensive, since I don't eat everything in them and the shelf life and heating packets drive up the cost. I have a stockpile at home for emergencies but why not just buy better food? Especially if you are eating them cold.

With all the other options of packable food, MREs would be at the bottom of the list for me.

I get the idea of having something on the go but I'd rather have something more nutricous and possibly more edible.

Completely untrue! As a physician who is under contract to the USDoD for review of the MRE nutritional content--they are NOT unhealthy. They are intended to be high-calorie for battle-ready situations. They are very well balanced with respect to an in-shape, normal adult under a 2,000 calorie per day regimen.

Unless you can cite SPECIFICALLY under peer-reviewed literature where MREs are NOT, do not presume to judge them. The contents of MREs are reviewed nutritionally by registered/licensed dietitians, physicians, nurses and other health professionals. [removed unnecessarily personalized and uncivil remarks]

Sorry you don't see just how reviewed the content of those MREs are by healthcare professionals, including physicians like ME! They are intended for battle-ready situations, and they ARE nutritionally sound for intense situations. [removed unnecessarily personalized and uncivil remarks]

Sounds to me like you have no idea what you are saying. Nutritionally sound for intense situations is not the same as the OP's suggestion of eating them in his room on his computer. MRE's are field rations and therefore high calorie made for people burning lots of calories.

MRE's do clog your pipes when you are highly active. The effects are worse when you are sedentary. I know this from experience eating them for 20 plus days at a time in the sandbox.

As i said before, MRE's are field rations, meaning they are intended to be temporary until A-rations made from fresh or frozen ingredients can be provided or even B-rations.

Civility is important.

Please take personal attacks to PM, or, better, cease. A word to the wise, and all that....

Thank you.

cblaisd
Co-Moderator, Dining Buzz

Never had a problem finding food when travelling. Fruit or a chocolate bar for emergencies, but I can also easily go 24 hours without eating any food, it doesn't bother me. I'd rather eat good food sporadically then eat regularly and crap.

I would not eat MRE's if I can avoid it.

Unless it was an amazingly good tasting MRE, I would imagine there are much better choices out there. And imo they really aren't convenient enough to eat on the run, because they come with drink mixes, instant coffee etc.

While these are hardly gourmet, they fit a need: easy to pack, carry, and for the most part they are easy to consume.

Depending on the destination I would happily carry a couple of these. First world city - no. Someplace very much out of the way or traveling at a time when food may be relatively difficult to get (late hours, etc) - yes.