One of the reasons you have the energy to read this is that you have eaten something. The saying that humans travel on their stomachs is one of the brilliant statements that sum up the universe’s interesting nature. Clearly, it would be hard for you to enjoy life without food or have the energy to live for the next day or two.
Notably, people providing essential services such as doctors, emergency responders, and service members are usually on the move and endure a lot of stress requiring ultimate energy and mood. Therefore food and proper nutrition become critical for their survival and performance.
Chiefly, food is your fuel source, and it also provides your body with nutrients that aid in body repair and maintenance processes. Food also plays a significant role in enhancing your psychological component.
Generally, you need food for survival. But what makes people hate some food? Taste is key in building your appetite, and it would be hard to consume bad food no matter how nutritious it might be. If the taste were not an issue, everyone would enjoy eating dry kibble as the dogs or pigs do.
Therefore, food has to be healthy, nutritious, and tasty to contribute to human happiness and consumption. Read more to know how MREs can qualify these requirements.
What’s The Science behind MREs?
With these facts, it is not surprising that modern food producers have spent most of their time, resources, and energy-producing foods that meet all the needs of varied situations. Remember that food for the essential workers is as essential as fuel for ammunition and vehicles in times of war.
For instance, food restriction in the military is believed to cause rapid reduction of weight, endurance, motivation, mental alertness and strength.
These considerations and requirements have been the basis of the Meals Ready to Eat (MREs). The previously considered meals for the military have advanced to alternate with your home-based recipe. Besides, there is a lot more to feeding MREs than you would think!
Vast Nutrient Content
Regardless of your personal experience, the minds behind a variety of MREs already available at your convenience store have contributed to the craft of very specific and scientific recipes and guidelines.
Whichever type of MRE you choose usually contains an entrée, cracker of bread, a beverage, side, accessories, dessert, spread, and a flameless ration heater. Besides, every MRE has a definite amount of calories to ensure that you are well fed and not at risk of obesity and other related complications.
Specifically, your MRE consist of around 1,250 calorie count, 51% carbohydrates, 36% fat, 13% protein and usually make up the recommended one-third of military daily allowances of minerals and vitamins.
MREs Have an Incredible Shelf-Life
In addition, each packet of MRE must have a shelf life of more than three years as it has been since the meals were incepted in the 70s.
These characteristics and features of the Meals ready to eat prove that they have an exception that is rare in other foods we consume at home.
It would be hard to make the right measurements when preparing the food at home, and even if you did, it would be as hard to make it last for more than three years, maintaining the appearance, the nutrients, and the taste.
Modern Forms of Heaters
One of the most scientific and impressive features that come with the MREs is the Flameless ration heater. This component enables the pouch to quickly reach heat levels that take minutes to heat an eight-ounce packet. This way, your food is ready, and you only need to tear up the pouch and consume your food.
Additional Nutrients and Tastes
Science has also contributed to introducing the new version of the pound cake. Interestingly, the introduction also comprises additional nutrients that can also be preserved that long. One of the notable nutrients is the Omega-3 fatty acids, which aid in muscle resiliency and recovery.
The addition of these nutrients has shown that future MREs will include individual nutrients to certain meals to target a specific market that might benefit from those nutrients through science. Besides, incorporating these nutrients can also form a combination with others depending on the demands and benefits associated with them.
So if you, your friend, or relative has a certain nutrient deficiency, they can go for the best MRE that fits their needs, given that the ingredients are indicated on the packets making it easy for you to choose.
MREs Can Endure Conditions
Since MREs are known for their shelf life, science has also helped produce meals that can withstand different temperatures and have different shelf lives. Modern technology has played a significant role in the preservation of these meals. Through technology, producers have been able to make stronger packets critical in the shelf life of the MREs.
The packets are now covered with enhanced pouches that protect the meals from moisture and oxygen that spoil the food quickly. The long-lasting freshness of these meals has made them useful in desperate situations, especially in emergencies since they can be preserved for a long time and hence no need to order swift production in such times.
The long-life also means that you can store those meals at home to prepare for shortages mostly experienced during disasters or pandemics. In these times, the demands usually run the sores dry, putting you and others at risk of starvation which would exacerbate the situation.
Scientific inventions and developments have played a significant role in the inception and development of Meals ready to eat. Since the 1970s, when these meals were prepared for the military, more improvements have been witnessed on the meals to serve the essential workers and as relief food for the affected people in times of disaster and conflicts.
The modern MREs have advanced to become preferences for families and sportspeople for their nutrients, portability, and durability. Advanced technology has enabled online food stores that see the purchase and delivery of these meals at your doorstep. In future, more interventions will likely help create more advanced MREs.
