RSSPreparing for Survival: Rations
Aug 13
Food Storage, Items food, mre, rations No Comments
When is comes to preparing for survival, water is one of the most significant items. After water, shelter and food become a major concern. Since most of us will be at our home during a disaster, we probably have food in the pantry and fridge that we could use for a few days. But what if you had to leave your home, could you bring it along?
Looking in my pantry right now, there are various types of canned goods, primarily fruit, vegetables and some pasta / spaghetti type meals. Many of these items are heavy, bulky and need to be cooked. If I had to leave on short notice, gathering these items and a way to cook them could be difficult since power might not be available.
So, what are my options for light-weight, transportable food that requires little preparation? The options can include, but aren’t restricted to; MREs, freeze-dried meals and ration bars. There are good points and bad points to all of these options. There is not “one” perfect option since we can’t know the exact situation we will find ourselves in during a disaster.
MRE ( Meal Ready for Eating)
These meals are precisely as their name suggests, ready for eating. They come in individually wrapped portions that are totally cooked and can be eaten either hot or straight from the pouch. The assortment of these meals is broad and they can include absolutely everything from snacks, side-dishes, desserts to full meals. The price of these start as low as $1 and go up from there. Using an optional heater and a bit of water, they can be heated in their own pouch, providing a warm meal.
The shelf life for these items can be several years depending on how they are stored. Excessive heat will shorten the shelf life. The taste of the food is varied in my opinion, some are good and some I can do without. They are normally very filling and tend to be high in calories. The weight is acceptable in my opinion for what you get. They can often be purchased in a case which makes them easy to store and transport.
Freeze Dried Meals
These meals come in a very wide assortment. Packages can be purchased for individual portions or larger amounts that can feed multiple people. There are options for breakfast items, entrees and desserts. These meals are less heavy but do require that water be added for preparation. It is generally recommended that hot water be used, but cold water can be employed in a pinch on most items.
Preparation time goes from five to ten minutes depending on the meal. These meals are packed in special pouches that also double as the cooking container. The product life for these pouches can go from two – seven years dependent on the meal and the storage conditions.
Pricing is normally about $5 per entree. Of all the options, I think that these are absolutely the best in flavor. The light weight makes these extremely portable and also a good camping food. The trade-off is the fact that you will need water and it really should be hot to fully enjoy the meal.
Ration Bars
These are an entirely, self contained nutrient bar designed to offer you the basic nourishment and calories you need to survive for a short time. The variety is very limited, but no water, heat or other items are required for consumption. The majority are made to have a five year lifespan and can withstand heat extremely well.
These bars are frequently nicked or divided into four hundred calorie portions, with a target of 1,200 calories for every day. The price tag for a common 3,600 calorie bar ( three day ration ) begins at roughly $7. Because these bars can endure a much bigger range of storage temperatures, they’re best suited for cars, boats and outside locations.
Best Choice
I myself keep some of each type in my homemade survival kit. The variety and convenience of each type gives me a degree of adaptability based on the situation. As with all of the items on you survival checklist, spend some time to become acquainted with them. Try utilizing these things before you need them. A survival situation isn’t the time to be trying to figure it out.
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