We received a care package from Infantryman Jason last nigt. Jason tells us that “We live on a patrol base and do not have an option to eat in a chow hall. Really the only thing that we have to eat here is junk food and MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat — the cooked, baked, bleached highly processed food used by the military, for survival food and campers).

Jason is right - MRE’s are “survival food”vintended to be used short-term when “cooked” meals are not available. The Dept. of Defense acknowledges (and instructs troops and commanders) that these are not intended to be a healthy diet for extended periods of time. MRE’s will keep you alive, but they are not designed to keep one in optimal health when eaten for the “long-haul.”

MRE’s taste far better than “K-ratios” of WWII, or so we are told. Still many tropps who must eat them exclusively experience “gut upset” — either constipation or “the runs.” Neither of these complaints is desirable for someone pulling combat duty.

The problem with MRE’s is that they are highly processed. Vitamins have been cooked, baked, bleached and preserved out of these “meals” and there is virtually no dietary fiber and minimal protein left in them.

Like twinkies and processed cheese slices, MRE’s will probably be found by the archaeologists of a thousand years in the future, who will note with amazement that they appear to be still perfectly preserved, and probably even edible…

For the troops of today, MRE’s are fine to fill in the gap of an occasional missed meal while out on patrol, but continued use of them can lead to vitamin, mineral, protein and fiber deficiencies.
Being out on patrol in full “battle rattle” (all the stuff  essential for survival - the Load Bearing Vest, body armor,  rucksack, rifle, ammunition, radio, and on and on…) will burn up energy and nutrients like a Bradley Fighting Vehicle (a kind of a light tank, with a 600 horsepower engine) burns diesel fuel. 

High protein snacks and energy bars with healthy, high fiber carbohydrates and an optimal dose multiple vitamin every day will keep these troops fueled and healthy. These are the requirements  we had when we designed our Healthy Troops Support Packs.

So, who is going to step up to the plate and offer Jason and his troop-mates the “fuel” they need to stay sharp, healthy, and fit so that they can prevail and return home safely to us? They are waiting, and we are ready to send them your Care Package!

This entry was posted on Sunday, October 21st, 2007 at 7:55 pm and is filed under Talk from Troops. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Comments and pings are closed.

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