Dumb MRE question

[GoodDaughter]

Is an MRE packaged for the average person's consumption? It seems like the ones I have tried are just too rich or something. I can only manage to consume about 1/2 of it, and that does not include the drink mixes. About 1/2 the entree, bread or cracker, half the dessert (if it doesn't taste too much of phenolpropanolamine) and sometimes the M&Ms or beef jerky or whatever.

Does the average soldier in combat situation consume the whole thing? I know I'm a woman and all, but still, it seems that the volume of the MRE I can consume without becoming nauseated is far less than the volume of other food I eat.

What's in that stuff?

[vikx]

GoodDaughter, phenolpropanolamine is in MRE's? Is this a joke? I'm deathly allergic to it. Thanks, VK

[RangerRick]

It is a general course ment to feed troops in a high stress environment with high calorie requirments rather you're 110 lbs or 220 lbs. You can always reheat for an inbetween snack.

:)

Rick

[swedishfish]

Most of my .mil buddies report that they rarely eat the whole kit. usually they save portions or trade.

[DavidOH]

It is a general course ment to feed troops in a high stress environment with high calorie requirments...
Rick

I used to eat the whole thing and then some.
That's back when I was a lot more active.
5000 calories a day was my joke. ( probably more!)

Still 6ft2 and 175 lbs.

[TheUnboundOne]

Dear GoodDaughter,

There are no dumb questions about MREs, as long as the answer is: "No, don't eat them."

;D

[ArmySGT.]

Your just not active enough to burn all the calories. therefore you finish because your full.

[Archangel]

Not many people can eat the whole thing, It was made for someone in the cold and scared. That is the highest body burn. I'm 6'3" and over 200 LB.s and could not eat one. we told our people eat most now and eat more later.
Michael

[Mr.B]

I use to eat most of it, if not something else from some one else's. Sometimes I didnt eat it all that just went into my Rucksack for a snack later.

-B

[bltjr1951]

It was made for someone in the cold and scared. Michael

Funny, I had a buddy go to AZ for retraining. He had to eat all of his cause he was sweating off his fats.
I had asked him to bring back MRE leftovers, he said there wasn't any.

[Mr.B]

Theres times I wished I had an MRE, than eat at my works Cafeteria, not joke! The Chicken & Rice meal was the best I think.

-B

[marnee]

From an MRE info site, I found this:
"Each MRE provides an average of 1,250 calories (13% protein, 36% fat, and 51% carbohydrates) and 1/3 of the Military Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamins and minerals. A full day's worth of meals would consist of three MREs."
http://www.mreinfo.com/us/mre/mres.html

So, they say that for military, one MRE would be about one meal. For the average person, though, one MRE would be half or even more of the needed daily caloric intake. I'm 22, 5'2", and about 150 pounds, and my caloric intake with my current lazy life style is less than 1800. A 1250 calorie MRE would be at least two meals worth of calories for me.