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When you really think about it, there are several reasons why you should buy MRE meals. It does not matter whether you are camping or stocking up in case of an emergency, MRE meals are an excellent source for eating nutritious meals when you do not have access to regular foods.
There are some people who will argue that boxed or canned food are better options. They believe that they offer more variety, are more dependable and are a lot more stable. Although some of these reasons may be valid, there are more pros than cons for why you should consider meals ready to eat over other types of preserved food.
Once you understand how these types of meals work, you will better understand why they are so beneficial and why you should buy them.
How Long Do These Meals Last?
There is some chemical engineering that is used to manufacture MREs. As a result, they can be stored for as long as they need to be. This process is not possible with the canning process. On the other hand, MREs are only one meal, while you may be able to get two to three servings out of a canned item.
At a minimum, MREs can be stored in an environment with temperatures up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and can last three years. However, when they are stored in colder environments, they can last a lot longer. In fact, when stored in a cold, dry and dark environment, MREs can last as long as a decade.
Calories
Regular backpacking meals may only contain 400 to 600 calories, but MREs can contain as many as 1200 calories in one meal. Everyone knows that when the body is in survival mode, it needs more energy. In order to maintain the energy needed to survive under extreme conditions, the body requires enough calories.
It is important to consider the amount of calories you will need to consume depending on the physical activity you will be doing. For example, if you are hiking for one hour, you will likely burn anywhere from 300 to 500 calories. This will depend on the weight you are carrying as well as your exertion levels.
More calorie dense meals will be able to sustain someone if they plan on hiking for an extended period of time.
MREs Contain Side Dishes
Backpacking meals typically only contain one meal per package. This means that you will need to pay an additional cost if you want a side dish to accompany the main meal.
MREs come standard with side meals. In some packages, the side dish may be rice or vegetables, and in other MREs, it may come with a side of fruit.
MREs Contain Carbs
Another reason to purchase meals ready to eat is that they typically include crackers, bread or another type of carb. There are not many foods that contain are as calorie dense as bread. This means that every time you open an MRE meal, you will be able to eat food that will give you the energy boost you need in order to push yourself further.
MREs Include Drinks
Most meals ready to eat include sports drinks, and there are other drink options available depending on the manufacturer. Some of these options are:
- Shakes
- Hot chocolate
- Tea
- Coffee
If you choose backpacking meals, you will need to bring your own drinks to have with your meals.
MREs Do Not Need Fire
You do not need access to fire in order to heat MREs. This is a tremendous benefit especially if the circumstances prevent you from having access to typical heat sources.
MREs have a built-in heating source that is a Flameless Ration Heater. This heater works in cold, rainy and freezing climates. Simply open the meal, open the heater pouch and add water.
If you are going to be traveling or exerting a lot of energy over the course of a few days or a few weeks, you will need to ensure the MREs you choose to offer the most calories, side dishes and drinks to help you maintain your energy levels. Also, choose MREs that have their own heating source so you will not have to go hungry or travel out of your way to find a reliable heat source.
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