Why MREs Are A Wonderful Survival Food Option For Your Family
MREs (Meals, Ready-to-Eat) are military grade food that provides a well balanced nutritional profile. They have a long shelf life (depending on storage conditions, they can last up to five years).
MREs are popular among people who enjoy camping and hiking, as well as those who want to be prepared in case of an emergency or disaster. They are lightweight and easy to store in a bug-out bag or 72 hour kit.
They Are Easy To Prepare
MREs are easy to prepare and are a convenient way to store and transport food. They have a long shelf life without refrigeration and can be kept in bug-out bags or cars for emergency preparedness.
Unlike homemade meals, which must be transported in coolers and require heavy cookware and plates, MREs are self-contained and require only water to heat. They are a convenient option for people who do not have time to cook during emergencies or for those who prefer to travel light while camping or hiking.
MRE meals are filled with a variety of ingredients, including entrees, snacks, and desserts. Most contain meat, vegetables and carbohydrates. They also include a flameless ration heater and instructions for heating the meal. They are packed in airtight and resealable pouches that ensure freshness and can be stored for up to a year. There are many different menu options, such as chili with beans, chicken and noodles, spinach fettucine and more.
They Are Lightweight
Mre meals are easy to carry and convenient to keep on hand in your bug-out bag, vehicle or camper “just in case.” Several people stockpile a few cases of MREs to have on hand for these kinds of evacuation situations.
They also provide a valuable source of nutrition for families without access to healthy foods when regular meals aren’t available due to a disaster. MREs offer a balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats to sustain the body with adequate calories.
When stored correctly, MREs can last up to five years. However, it is recommended that you replace your MREs when they are reaching the end of their shelf life or if they have been exposed to extreme temperatures. To check the MRE shelf life, look for the production date label on each package. This date will display the month, day and 4-digit year of production. The date can be found on the bottom left of each individual component.
They Are Easy To Carry
MREs are lightweight and can be carried easily. They also do not require refrigeration and can be eaten hot or cold. This is great if you are in an emergency situation and do not have access to food.
Military grade MREs contain everything that our service members need to survive in some of the harshest environments on earth. They come in a self contained pouch with a variety of meals including an entree, snacks, desserts and drinks. Civilian grade MREs have similar contents to the military options but do not include the extras such as matches, toilet paper and other comfort items.
Each MRE has a heating element inside the outer packaging. It can be heated by boiling water or by using a flameless heater. The heating element has a circle and ring on it that responds to heat to show whether the MRE is safe to eat or not. If the ring and circle are darker, it means that there is air in the pack and bacteria could be present.
They Are Easy To Heat
Aside from the calorie content of each meal, you’ll find that MREs are easy to store and even easier to heat up in the event of an emergency. They can be kept in a bag or trunk, and since they don’t require refrigeration they can be used without having to worry about spoilage.
You can easily find MREs for sale online – but be sure you know the Julian date on the case (usually two-digit month, followed by two-digit day, and then four-digit year). It’s also helpful to look for an inspection date on the box, which will typically be three years after the Julian date.
To heat an MRE, simply remove the outer cardboard sleeve and locate the heater pouch. You can heat the MRE in the same way that you would heat other food for a camp out, by setting it next to the fire pit on the grate or on a rock.
