What's a basic MRE Meal

Answer 1

There are many variations, but each meal is designed to supply the user with a basic number of calories for one meal based on a 3-meal day. They may be eaten unheated, hence the acronym MRE (Meal Ready to Eat), and they are a big improvement over the C-rations of World War II, or the hardtack (North) or cornbread (South) diet of the American Civil War. The variety is impressive, and I am told that American soldiers often trade meals with each other for ones they like better. In addition, there is a beef-free MRE for Hindu soldiers, and a pork-free MRE for Muslim soldiers which were air-dropped to Iraqi refugees in order to sway them toward the West instead of the Hussein Regime. There is also a meat-free MRE for vegetarian soldiers. I have eaten MREs and judged the quality as good, especially when the alternative is nothing to eat. The meal is sealed in a plastic envelope and takes less than ten minutes to prepare and eat unheated, longer if heated. The main course is a meat or pasta-and-meat product, with fruit and cereal products sealed in smaller envelopes, a packet of Taster's Choice instant coffee, and about enough toilet paper to blow your nose with. The MRE is not perfect, and no substitute for a field kitchen, but it is still better than what American soldiers ate in the past, and a lot better than nothing under combat conditions.