ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel The Infographics Show I Ate Only Military Rations (MREs) For 30 Days – Challenge
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to eat military food? Is it really as bad as people say, or does it hold its own against regular meals? To find out, we embarked on a unique challenge: consuming only MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat) for 30 days. Here’s a glimpse into this intriguing experiment.
The MREs we used were manufactured in November 2010, with an inspection date of April 2013 and a shelf life of seven years. Although the legal team assured us that the shelf life was just an estimate, they still required a waiver, which was a bit contradictory.
These meals were a nostalgic trip down memory lane for me, as they were produced around the time I left the military. I hadn’t had an MRE in 13 years, but I remembered them being quite decent, possibly because of the limited options available back then.
Opening an MRE feels like unwrapping a small gift, complete with various components. The jalapeno cheese spread was a prized item, often traded for other goodies. With that in mind, I was ready to dive into this challenge.
Initially, the plan was to try World War II rations, but they were either spoiled or too costly as replicas. So, we opted for more affordable MREs available online.
MREs are packed with calories—about 1,250 per meal—along with essential nutrients like Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, and Sodium. These nutrients are crucial for preventing deficiencies, maintaining bone health, and ensuring proper hydration and blood cell production. The military has invested heavily in nutrition research to optimize these meals for performance.
This week’s menu included pork rib, chicken with noodles, vegetable lasagna, veggie burger with BBQ sauce, and spaghetti with meat sauce. The pork rib was the only dish that raised concerns, while the chicken with noodles resembled a hearty canned soup. The vegetable lasagna was decent, though I prefer non-vegetarian options. The veggie burger was less enjoyable, possibly due to spoilage.
MREs may not match the flavors of home-cooked meals, but they are satisfying in the field. Each MRE contains a water-activated heater, which can be surprising to newcomers. This week, every meal included M&Ms, which was unexpected. Additional items like cheese spread, crackers, and energy bars were also present, with jalapeno cheese being a popular trade item.
While MREs are convenient, they can cause constipation, which I experienced after 13 years.
After gaining three pounds in the first week, I realized that MREs are designed for active troops, not casual participants. Consuming 2,500 calories a day, mostly from carbohydrates, prompted me to increase my exercise routine.
This week’s meals featured Spicy Penne Pasta with Vegetarian Sausage, Chicken Pesto Pasta, tuna, and Southwest Beef and Black Beans. The pasta dishes were enjoyable, though the vegetarian sausage was not. The beef was a bit dry, but overall, the meals were decent. However, I began to miss fresh food.
Despite slowing my weight gain, I still put on some weight, likely temporary.
By the third week, the days started to blur together. I longed for fresh meals like a juicy burger or crisp vegetables. Although my partner cooked delicious meals nearby, I couldn’t partake. This challenge tested my patience, especially with the lack of variety in the M&Ms.
Today’s MREs are far superior to those of previous generations, comparable to a typical bachelor’s cooking. However, eating them daily can become monotonous. I managed my weight by increasing my exercise, as these meals are intended for active duty personnel.
Despite the convenience of no cooking and the handy MRE spoon, nothing beats a freshly cooked meal. Many veterans cherish their memories of hot meals for this reason.
If you’re curious about more survival challenges, check out “Surviving 72 Hours Alone” or explore other engaging videos!
Research the nutritional content of MREs and compare it with the dietary needs of an average adult. Create a presentation that highlights the differences and discuss how these meals are optimized for military personnel. Consider the implications of consuming MREs for an extended period, as experienced in the article.
Based on your understanding of nutrition and the challenges faced in the article, design your own MRE. Consider factors like shelf life, nutritional balance, and taste. Present your MRE design to the class, explaining your choices and how they address the issues highlighted in the article.
Organize a taste test session where you sample different MREs. Document your reactions and compare them with the experiences described in the article. Discuss how taste and texture might affect the morale and health of individuals relying on these meals.
Research the evolution of military rations from World War II to the present. Create a timeline that showcases the changes in nutritional content, packaging, and variety. Discuss how these changes reflect advancements in food technology and military needs.
Write a reflective journal entry imagining you are undertaking the same 30-day MRE challenge. Consider the psychological and physical impacts described in the article. Reflect on how you would cope with the monotony and nutritional challenges, and propose strategies to maintain well-being.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Is military food really as bad as they say? How does it compare to real food? To find out, we got a volunteer and put him back on a meal of MREs with a couple of the cheapest boxes we could find online.
**Challenge Start:** Manufacture date: November 2010. Inspection/test date: April 2013. Shelf life: 7 years. That’s what the outside of the cases of MREs says. When questioned, the legal team indicated that shelf life indications were an estimate, and their research suggested I should be fine. They also made me sign a waiver, which seems contradictory to “you’ll be fine.”
Other than the questionable expiration date, this next month is set to be a blast from the past. These meals were manufactured right around when I left the military, so I’m pretty familiar with them. I hadn’t touched an MRE in 13 years, but if my memory serves me right, they were actually pretty good. Or at least I remember enjoying them—though that might have been due to a lack of options.
I always liked the way MREs are packaged; each meal feels like opening a little gift full of smaller gifts. And if your MRE had the jalapeno cheese, then you were in luck because that was highly sought after. If you got both jalapeno cheese and cocoa powder, you could trade them for just about anything.
Alright, it’s time to start a challenge that honestly, I don’t think is going to be all that bad.
**Week 1:** Originally, for this challenge, I was supposed to eat World War II rations, but then we realized that those rations would be completely spoiled by now. So the show looked into replica rations and quickly changed their mind because those are extremely expensive. MREs from an online seller, though, were affordable. So here we are.
I know how high in calories MREs are; I remember my sergeants encouraging us to eat everything, even the stuff we didn’t like, because we needed the calories. But if you’re not in a combat zone, the 1,250 calories per pack is probably going to be too much. Try to eat three daily meals made out of MREs, and you might gain weight quickly.
I did some quick research, and MREs are loaded with 1,250 calories, a significant amount of Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, and Sodium. The Vitamin C is to prevent deficiencies, and the iron is for producing healthy blood cells. The sodium is for hydration, and the calcium is for bone health. The US military has invested a lot in researching nutrition to create the perfect mix of food for optimal performance. I think they did a good job; I heard horror stories about previous generations’ rations, but I always thought ours were pretty decent.
My menu for this week consisted of the following main dishes: pork rib, chicken with noodles, vegetable lasagna, veggie burger with BBQ sauce, and spaghetti with meat sauce.
The pork rib was… unusual. Honestly, that was the only meat-based dish that concerned me. The chicken with noodles was similar to canned chicken noodle soup but with thicker noodles. The vegetable lasagna wasn’t bad, but I personally prefer non-vegetarian dishes. The veggie burger was not enjoyable, and it was hard to tell if it was just poorly made or spoiled.
You’re definitely not getting the best flavors when eating an MRE, and it will never compare to home-cooked meals. But when you’re out in the field, these meals can be quite satisfying, especially compared to older rations.
Inside each MRE pouch, there’s a water-activated heater, which can be surprising for those who have never seen one before. Each MRE also comes with a candy; this week, every one was M&Ms. I mean, M&Ms are good, but I wasn’t expecting them every day. You usually get a complimentary dish like rice, beans, or fruit. The veggie burger came with fruit, which was surprisingly still edible.
You’ll also find items like cheese spread, pound cake, crackers, or energy bars. The cheese spread comes in two varieties: regular and jalapeno. I knew people who would keep track of trades for jalapeno cheese or cocoa powder. The cocoa powder is great, but you really don’t want to drink it in the heat.
You’ll also usually have a mini bottle of hot sauce or spices, depending on your meal. They do a good job of pairing items with each meal, so credit goes to whoever makes MREs. Then there’s a packet of various accessories like gum, a bit of toilet paper, a wet wipe, etc. They used to include cigarettes, but that stopped after the Vietnam War.
Honestly, it’s super convenient eating MREs, so I don’t have many complaints. However, MREs are known to cause constipation, and that was true for me after 13 years.
**Week 2:** I gained three pounds last week, despite maintaining a fairly normal routine. This makes sense; MREs are meant to feed troops in the field, not casual YouTube challenge participants. I’m consuming 2,500 calories a day, with a significant portion coming from carbohydrates. So, I needed to increase my exercise this week.
This time, the five meals included Spicy Penne Pasta with Vegetarian Sausage—the sausage was not good, but the pasta was enjoyable. Then I had Chicken Pesto Pasta, which was surprisingly tasty. There was also tuna, which I prefer not to think too much about. The Southwest Beef and Black Beans was decent, but the beef was a bit dry. Overall, aside from the vegetarian sausage, this week wasn’t bad. However, I’m starting to miss real food.
In other news, I have slowed the weight gain, but I did put on a bit more weight. I’m confident that some of that is temporary weight.
**Weeks 3 + 4:** After two straight weeks of MREs, the days started to blend together. How were the last two weeks? Exactly the same—I would have loved something fresh. A freshly cooked burger, warm pasta, or even just fresh fruits and vegetables would have been amazing.
All of that was available around me with my partner cooking, but I couldn’t have any. This whole experience felt like a prolonged test of patience. Every single meal had M&Ms; apparently, this batch had no variety.
Our field rations are much better than what previous generations had. Overall, they’re probably as good as what a typical bachelor could cook. But when you’re eating them every single day, it can be a bit much.
I managed to keep my weight under control by increasing my exercise, which meant more running. These meals are designed for active duty, not for someone sitting at a desk.
But it was convenient knowing exactly what I was going to eat, with no cooking involved. The MRE spoon is quite handy, and everyone knows someone who has a story about its effectiveness.
In conclusion, while the variety and extras are nice, nothing compares to a freshly cooked meal. That’s why many veterans cherish their memories of hot meals.
Now go check out “Surviving 72 Hours Alone,” or click this other video instead!
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This version maintains the essence of the original transcript while removing any inappropriate language or references.
Military – Relating to the armed forces or to soldiers, arms, or war, often involving structured discipline and training. – University students studying military nutrition learn how soldiers’ diets are optimized for endurance and performance.
Rations – A fixed amount of a particular food allocated to a person, especially during a shortage or in a controlled environment. – During field training, cadets are provided with military rations to ensure they receive adequate nutrition.
Nutrition – The process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth. – Understanding the basics of nutrition is crucial for university students to maintain a balanced diet amidst a busy schedule.
Calories – Units of energy provided by food and beverages, essential for maintaining bodily functions and physical activity. – Students should be mindful of their calorie intake to ensure they have enough energy for their studies and extracurricular activities.
Nutrients – Substances that provide nourishment essential for the maintenance of life and for growth. – A balanced diet rich in essential nutrients can help improve concentration and academic performance.
Hydration – The process of causing something to absorb water, crucial for maintaining bodily functions and overall health. – Proper hydration is vital for students, especially during exams, to maintain cognitive function and focus.
Exercise – Physical activity that is planned, structured, and repetitive for conditioning any part of the body. – Regular exercise can help university students manage stress and improve their mental health.
Weight – The measure of the heaviness of an object, often used in the context of body weight and health. – Monitoring weight can be an important aspect of maintaining a healthy lifestyle during university years.
Meals – Any of the regular occasions in a day when a reasonably large amount of food is eaten. – Preparing balanced meals can help students avoid unhealthy snacking and maintain their energy levels throughout the day.
Deficiencies – The lack or shortage of a functional element or nutrient in the diet, leading to health issues. – Addressing vitamin deficiencies through diet or supplements is essential for students to prevent fatigue and enhance academic performance.
