Anybody here eat authentic MREs?

[warmodder]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny

Originally posted by: warmodder
I was thinking of those for college because I have no place to cook real food and don't want to eat the cafeteria food everyday...but than I figured that these can't really taste much better so I quickly forgot the idea.

Do they really taste ok?

Depends. I'm Chinese and grew up eating a lot of different things, so I can pretty much eat anything and for the most part like it. I also like the novelty and the convenience of MREs. I've found that a lot of Caucasians have a LOT narrower range of foods that they will eat and like. So I guess I'm in the minority when it comes to eating and liking MREs.

Compared to the backpacking food that I cook in my camping stove, I feel that MREs are more substantial and "stick to the ribs," so to speak.

As for the cost, yes, they are expensive at $5-6 a pop. But consider that they're over 1000 calories each so if you eat two a day that's $10 a day for food. Still more expensive than cooking your own food, and probably a lot more expensive if you don't even use the meal plan that you already paid for...

Yes, live and learn. I've adjusted the meal plan to better fit my schedule, but I'm always on the lookout for stuff I can make quick and easy. Easy mac and raman just don't cut it after a while.

I think it might be worth just to try for the novelty, and if it's something I like invest in a couple. They're not all that expensive compared to eating out (which I do a lot) so it may be a good alternative.

 

[soccerballtux]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: Aflac
Can someone fill me in?

Google it you lazy bastard.

haha!

 

[IronWing]

They're pretty good but keep in mind...they do go bad. We keep some in our car for emergencies. We learned that after four or five years in a car, in Arizona, those things can kill ya. Now we have our annual candlelit MREs for two dinner.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

After serving for three years in the Army I would prefer to never eat another MRE.

Omelet with ham was the most disgusting thing I've ever eaten, especially at about 15 degrees.

 

[Modelworks]

Good until its all you get to eat.
I need to be starving to eat another MRE.

 

[CorCentral]

I sold an original WWII breakfast K ration (never opened) on ebay awhile back...... I believe I got about $130. for it. The guy who bought it must've been starving
Here's a pic

 

[AndrewR]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: tenshodo13
Don't MRE's have like 2000 calories each and every single preservative known to man?

Yes, they are about 2,000 calories each.

Our nickname for them was Mr. E, or mystery.

I realize that you're in the Army, but MREs aren't 2000 calories. There was an Early Bird article last year about the "new menu choices" that they were releasing (may have been 2006), and one of the guys in charge of the program said they were about 1200-1400 calories, depending on which one it is (for consuming everything in it, not just the main item). I wonder if perhaps the first ones were very high calorie, and that's where the myth comes from. I used to always think they were over 2000 calories as well until I read that article.

I've always heard from folks who had to live on them how bad they are, but anything is bad if you have it nonstop. Every once in awhile, they are an interesting diversion. I used to eat them during exercises (USAF, so I was stuck in a vault, not in the field) because it was easy to keep around in a pinch.

 

[CorCentral]

Here's a decent website that shows some info on MREs

 

[DangerAardvark]

God, why is this thread making me hungry? It's freakin vaccum sealed crackers and tuna helper.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: AndrewR

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: tenshodo13
Don't MRE's have like 2000 calories each and every single preservative known to man?

Yes, they are about 2,000 calories each.

Our nickname for them was Mr. E, or mystery.

I realize that you're in the Army, but MREs aren't 2000 calories. There was an Early Bird article last year about the "new menu choices" that they were releasing (may have been 2006), and one of the guys in charge of the program said they were about 1200-1400 calories, depending on which one it is (for consuming everything in it, not just the main item). I wonder if perhaps the first ones were very high calorie, and that's where the myth comes from. I used to always think they were over 2000 calories as well until I read that article.

I've always heard from folks who had to live on them how bad they are, but anything is bad if you have it nonstop. Every once in awhile, they are an interesting diversion. I used to eat them during exercises (USAF, so I was stuck in a vault, not in the field) because it was easy to keep around in a pinch.

All of the ones I've had recently during training were all labeled as having around 1200-1400 calories per pack, and went on to detail that men should strive for 3600-4200 calories per day when expending energy, and women should strive for a little less, cannot remember. For men, it basically works out to 3 a day, which makes a whole lot of sense, as each is a perfect meal when you need food for the energy.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: AndrewR

I realize that you're in the Army, but MREs aren't 2000 calories. There was an Early Bird article last year about the "new menu choices" that they were releasing (may have been 2006), and one of the guys in charge of the program said they were about 1200-1400 calories, depending on which one it is (for consuming everything in it, not just the main item). I wonder if perhaps the first ones were very high calorie, and that's where the myth comes from. I used to always think they were over 2000 calories as well until I read that article.

I've always heard from folks who had to live on them how bad they are, but anything is bad if you have it nonstop. Every once in awhile, they are an interesting diversion. I used to eat them during exercises (USAF, so I was stuck in a vault, not in the field) because it was easy to keep around in a pinch.

You are correct, Link. Always thought that they were more.

Each MRE provides an average of 1,250 calories (13% protein, 36% fat, and 51% carbohydrates) and 1/3 of the Military Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamins and minerals. A full day's worth of meals would consist of three MREs.

 

[novasatori]

I used to pack them when I went to play in the desert as a kid in Las Vegas

Got em from my dad. It was great, those plus some bottles of water, I'd spend all day out there.

 

[BoomerD]

I have a couple of cases in my "emergency supplies" stored away.
I've tried a few...not horrible, but nothing I'd want to eat daily.

Certainly MUCH better than the crap they gave us 35+ years ago...

C-rats & K-rats FTL! (although some of them weren't too bad at the time) When you're in the bush and hungry, anything tastes good...I'm not even going to go into the "mystery meat" we ate at various times...(most of it wasn't a mystery to us, since we killed it, but I'm NOT going into details.) :roll:

 

[alkemyst]

MRE's in the last 10 years are lightyears ahead of those before. Still there are some that soldiers dread and some that are univeral favorites.

 

[KillerCharlie]

Screw MREs, you want FSRs (First Strike Rations)! An FSR has over twice the calories of an MRE, yet an FSR weighs only a small fraction of an MRE. They even include caffeinated gum!

 

[abracadabra1]

MREs are okay. Definitely happy to have them around when you're hungry and tired, otherwise they're not that special. Not to mention they clog up your system like crazy (and since I hate the gum that can be troublesome at times).

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
I have a couple of cases in my "emergency supplies" stored away.
I've tried a few...not horrible, but nothing I'd want to eat daily.

Certainly MUCH better than the crap they gave us 35+ years ago...

C-rats & K-rats FTL! (although some of them weren't too bad at the time) When you're in the bush and hungry, anything tastes good...I'm not even going to go into the "mystery meat" we ate at various times...(most of it wasn't a mystery to us, since we killed it, but I'm NOT going into details.) :roll:

Oh come on. Go into details! I'm curious... seriously.

 

[sundev]

Anyone know where to get MREs (or similar) in Canada? Or really any insta-meal that is relatively cheap (~$5).

 

[MovingTarget]

They aren't all that bad, but I wouldn't want to eat them for an extended period of time.

 

[imported_elwood]

When hurricane Rita and Katrina hit, we got a few cases since we were out of electricity for over a week. It's crappy food but it's better than nothing. The pound cakes are excellent!

 

[olds]

When I was stationed in Germany, I always kept an ammo box with a coleman stove and various condiments (chili, top ramen, etc) in my tracked vehicle. That way I could dress up the MREs which were for the most part, disgusting. Especially the dehydrated pork patty. uke;

 

[keird]

For the weight, I'll throw some chicken bullion and cayenne pepper in my MOLLE. This is one of those perfect winter pick-me-ups if you have time to boil some water. My mountain warfare instructors liked hot Jello, though - has more calories, I guess.

I'd like to try the First Strike rations. They sound convenient and laden with calories.

 

[Wapp]

Originally posted by: elwood
When hurricane Rita and Katrina hit, we got a few cases since we were out of electricity for over a week. It's crappy food but it's better than nothing. The pound cakes are excellent!

While you eat your main course put the pound cake in the heating bag. Nothing like warm pound cake at 4AM.

 

[Reel]

I have some tabasco sauce from an MRE sitting on my desk at work. I don't think it is the right color though. Did it go bad or do all MRE tabasco sauce bottles look like wrong-colored?

 

[keird]

Originally posted by: Reel
I have some tabasco sauce from an MRE sitting on my desk at work. I don't think it is the right color though. Did it go bad or do all MRE tabasco sauce bottles look like wrong-colored?

Yeah. They go bad.

 

[jupiter57]

I've yet to try them.
I am an old "C" Rations guy myself.
Scrambled eggs & bacon in a can, Mmmmm!
Ham & Lima beans, better known as "Ham & Motherf*ckers were pretty good too. No one else liked them, so I always had plenty.
Canned Pound cake, 3 Marlboros, & a Chiclet or Wrigleys gum.