MRE Survival Kit Essentials

When building an MRE survival kit, most will agree that having adequate food variety, nutritional balance, and sufficient shelf life are critical considerations.

By exploring the essential components of a well-stocked MRE kit, you'll understand how to select foods to meet your nutritional needs, match your preferences, and withstand long-term storage.

In this article, we'll cover military-grade MREs versus civilian options, planning food quantities, storage solutions, water considerations, and how to customize your kit to suit your situation.

Introduction to MRE Survival Kits

An MRE survival kit contains critical food and supplies to sustain you in an emergency situation. This article explores the key components of a well-stocked MRE kit.

Defining MREs

Meals Ready-to-Eat (MREs) are self-contained, shelf-stable meals commonly used by military personnel. As the best MRE survival food, they make ideal survival provisions due to:

Portability: Lightweight and compact for easy transport
Nutritional balance: Provide sufficient calories, macronutrients, vitamins and minerals
5+ year shelf life: Long expiration dates ensure an emergency food supply when needed

Military MRE kits are designed for high-stress situations where access to food may be scarce.

Key Considerations When Stocking an MRE Survival Kit

When building an MRE survival kit, focus on:

Variety: Multiple entrees prevent taste fatigue (e.g. chili, pasta, chicken)
Calorie density: Higher fat and protein content fuels the body in extremes
Storage space: Balance nutrition with pack weight and size
Water provisions: Hydration is critical; pack clean water or filters
Heating capability: Flameless ration heaters provide hot meals

Prioritize compact, calorie-dense MRE meals emergency food supply in your survival pack. Integrate other key survival tools like fire starters, water filters, first aid kits to create a fully stocked bug out bag.

Why can't civilians buy MREs?

The packaging of Department of Defense (DOD) military MREs clearly states that they are for U.S. Military use only and not for commercial resale. This means that it is illegal for civilians to purchase or resell genuine military MREs obtained directly from the government.

There are a few key reasons why military MREs are restricted:

Specialized packaging and labeling - As mentioned, the packaging is specially marked for military use. Selling them commercially would be fraudulent.
Regulations and contracts - The DOD has strict contracts and regulations around the production and distribution of MREs. Manufacturers can only sell them directly to the military.
Formulas and specifications - Military MREs must meet exacting standards and formulas for nutrition, weight, size, and shelf life. These specialized requirements also restrict commercial resale.

So while you may find "military surplus" MREs for sale online, they are likely expired, defective, or come from unauthorized sources. Your best legal option as a civilian is to purchase commercial MRE-style emergency food kits that mimic military meals but meet FDA guidelines for commercial sale. But they won't be exactly the same as genuine U.S. Military MREs.

Are civilians allowed to have MRE?

As the context states, the Department of Defense requires that all MRE cases be labeled "U.S. Government Property, Commercial Resale is Unlawful" to deter service members from reselling them. However, there are no actual laws forbidding civilians from purchasing MREs.

Civilians are free to legally obtain MREs from various sources, including:

Military surplus stores
Online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay
Directly from manufacturers of civilian MREs

In fact, there is a thriving market for civilian and commercial MRE products from brands like SOPAKCO, Wornick, A-Pack, and XMRE. These MRE-style meals are intended for civilian use and do not contain the "U.S. Government Property" labelling.

So while policies restrict military personnel from reselling genuine U.S. Military MREs, civilians face no such barriers. As long as you obtain MREs through legal retail channels as a civilian, you are allowed to purchase and consume MRE meals freely. This makes MREs a viable emergency food option as part of a survival kit or bug out bag.

Is it healthy to live off of MREs?

The short answer is yes, you can live on MREs for a period of time. MREs are designed to provide the necessary nutrients and calories for daily meals. However, MREs are not intended for long-term or indefinite use.

Here are some key points on the health impacts of living solely off MREs:

Nutrition: MREs contain about 1200-1300 calories per full day's worth of meals. This meets general daily nutrition needs. However, the sodium content tends to be high, while fiber content tends to be low compared to fresh foods. MREs also often lack certain fatty acids beneficial for long-term health.
Convenience: MREs provide a convenient, ready-to-eat food source when cooking fresh foods is difficult. However, the lack of food variety can cause taste fatigue over time.
Shelf life: MREs are designed to last for years in storage, making them useful for emergency preparedness. But nutritional quality and taste can degrade over very long storage periods.
Gastrointestinal issues: The high sodium, low fiber, and processed nature of MREs can commonly cause issues like constipation or diarrhea when consumed as a steady diet. Staying hydrated is critical.

The bottom line is that MREs can sustain basic nutritional needs in the short term of a few weeks or months if necessary. But for optimal health, MREs should be combined with fresh foods or only used intermittently if relying on them for an extended duration. Moderation and variety is key for healthy living on MREs.

Can you eat a 40 year old MRE?

As long as the individual MRE components aren't damaged, punctured, or swelling, they should still be edible after 40 years of storage. However, some changes may occur over time:

Flavor - Many people report that very old MREs lose their original flavor and tend to all taste the same. While not dangerous, the meals may be less palatable. Using additional spices and sauces can help improve the flavor.
Color - The food contents can oxidize and change color, becoming duller or darker over decades of storage. But this is mainly an aesthetic issue and does not affect safety or nutrition.
Nutrition - Properly stored MREs retain most of their original nutritional value for many years. However, some degradation of certain vitamins may occur after 20-30 years. The meals remain safe and provide energy, but higher losses of micronutrients should be considered when relying on very old MREs.

So in an emergency, a 40 year old MRE can still offer lifesaving calories and macronutrients to keep you going. But the taste, texture, and micronutrient quality declines over time. Integrating some fresher survival foods into your MRE survival kit helps balance any limitations of long-expired MREs.

Selecting the Best MRE Survival Food

Choosing the right variety of MRE meals is crucial for ensuring nutritional balance and taste satisfaction during emergencies.

High-Calorie MRE Entrée Options

Beef ravioli, chicken with noodles, and chili mac are some of the highest-calorie MRE main courses, providing critical energy. These entrees contain 500-1,200 calories to help maintain strength and stamina when food sources are limited.

Prioritizing high-calorie entrees is key, as they make up the bulk of an MRE. Beef ravioli offers a hearty serving of protein and carbs, while chili mac provides a spicy, morale-boosting meal. Chicken with noodles is a classic comfort food in MRE form.

Vital Side Dishes and Snacks

Include calorie-dense crackers, peanut butter, puddings, and fruits to supplement nutrition between meals. Crackers pack easy carbs, peanut butter delivers protein and fats, and sweet snacks like puddings lift spirits. Fruits like applesauce and pineapple provide fiber, vitamins, and variety.

These compact sides round out nutritional needs when paired with MRE entrees. The additional calories from snacks prevent energy crashes and keep your mind sharp.

Nutritional Balance in MRE Selection

Ensure your MRE choices offer a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins to meet dietary needs. While the entrée provides the bulk of nutrition, balanced side dishes enhance the nutrients.

For example, peanut butter packets complement chili mac with healthy fats and protein. Adding crackers incorporates complex carbs to maintain glucose levels. Including apple sauce brings key vitamins and minerals from fruit.

Creating nutritionally balanced MRE meals ensures your body gets the macro- and micro-nutrients it requires to function optimally, even in emergencies.

Understanding MRE Meal Variety

Explore the range of MRE meals available to create a diverse and enjoyable menu for your kit. With dozens of entrées across breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, you can build a rotating menu that staves off taste fatigue.

Having variety keeps morale up in stressful situations where food is scarce. Whether you prefer spaghetti, chicken breast, or southwest beef, creating MRE meal combinations with different flavors, textures, and cuisines prevents menu boredom.

Pairing complementary sides and snacks with each entree also enhances variety. For example, include jalapeño cheese with southwest beef for a spicy kick, or toss in Skittles candy with the chicken breast. With some creativity, your MREs can offer exciting meals every time.

Military MRE Kits vs. Civilian Options

Authentic Military MRE Contents

Military MREs are designed for extreme conditions and prolonged use in the field. They contain around 1,200 calories per full meal and have an impressive shelf life of 3-5 years due to special packaging and preservatives. Key components of an MRE kit include:

Main entrees like spaghetti, chicken breast, or beef brisket
Side dishes such as beans, rice, crackers, bread, and potatoes
Desserts and candy for morale
Powdered beverages like coffee, tea, lemonade, and sports drinks
Flameless ration heaters to warm up meals
Utensils like spoons, matches, and wet naps
Nutritional supplements and accessory packs

The downside is that military MREs offer limited variety and aren't tailored for individual nutritional needs.

Civilian MRE Kit Advantages

Civilian MREs provide more variety in meals and allow you to customize nutritional contents. They offer similar shelf lives to military MREs through the use of dehydrated ingredients and Mylar pouches. Benefits include:

Wider range of main dishes including pasta, chili, and stew
More dessert and snack options
Ability to swap out components to meet dietary needs
Individual pouches for quick, customizable meals

The tradeoff is that civilian MREs may not hold up as well under extreme conditions compared to rugged military MRE kits.

Comparing Shelf Life and Durability

Military MRE pouches are extremely durable and built to withstand air drops, rough handling, and severe environments. Civilian MREs use less robust packaging best suited for stationary storage rather than field use.

In terms of shelf life, both claim impressive 3-5 year lifespans if stored properly. Military MREs tend to have more preservatives allowing them to potentially last over 5 years in some cases. Due to their dehydrated ingredients, civilian MREs also achieve multi-year shelf lives.

For maximum durability and lifespan under harsh conditions, military MREs have a clear advantage. But civilian MREs work well for stationary emergency stocks.

Cost and Availability Considerations

Military MREs can only be purchased by civilians online or at select surplus stores, making them harder to source than civilian MRE brands. However, when bought in bulk, military MRE cost per meal can be lower than commercial options.

Civilian MREs are more widely available at outdoor retailers and emergency preparedness websites. And by allowing you to customize contents, they may ultimately be more cost-effective for those with special dietary needs.

When building an emergency food supply, the type of MRE kit comes down to intended use case, storage plans, and budget.

MRE Emergency Food Supply Planning

Strategize the assembly of your MRE emergency food supply to ensure sustainability during extended crises.

Calculating Required MRE Quantities

When determining the number of MREs needed per person per day, consider factors like:

Calorie requirements: The average adult needs around 2,000 calories per day. MREs typically contain 1200-1300 calories each. Plan for at least 1-2 MREs per person per day.
Nutritional balance: MREs are designed to provide balanced nutrition, but consuming only MREs long-term could lead to potential vitamin/mineral deficiencies. Supplement with multivitamins.
Shelf life: MRE entrees last around 5 years when stored properly. Factor in replacement rate into quantity.
Duration of emergency: Stockpile adequate MREs to cover extended crises spanning months or longer.

Long-Term Storage Solutions

To preserve MREs long-term:

Store in cool, dark, and dry location like basement or interior closet. Temperature ideal between 60-70°F.
Use airtight plastic containers or metal cans to protect from moisture, insects, rodents. Oxygen absorbers further prolong shelf life.
Label containers with contents and expiration dates for easy rotation.
Inspect periodically for damage, leaks, swelling that could indicate spoilage.

Rotation and Consumption Cycles

Implement a "first-in, first-out" system to rotate MRE stock:

Date MRE packages upon receipt.
Consume oldest packages first during drills.
Replace consumed MREs with new purchases to maintain supply levels.

Setting a rotation cycle (e.g. consuming and replacing 10% of supply quarterly) prevents waste from expiration and ensures freshness.

Emergency Preparedness Drills

Practice emergency scenarios quarterly:

Time how long it takes to access your MRE supply during mock crises. Improve storage accessibility if needed.
Test preparation (heating packs, water, utensils) and consumption of actual MREs. Get familiar with menus and protocols.
Simulate MRE rationing by limiting yourself to designated daily quantities per person during drills, as you would in a real prolonged emergency. Monitor vitamin/mineral supplementation if needed.

Drills build critical experience in accessing, preparing, and rationing your MRE survival kit emergency food supply.

Water Considerations for MRE Kits

Having ample water is critical when relying on MREs. Plan for at least 1 gallon per person per day to meet drinking and food preparation needs.

Water Storage Options

When building an MRE survival kit, be sure to pack adequate water storage options like:

Collapsible water jugs and bladders to carry bulk water. Aim for 2-3 gallons per person.
Water purification tablets (like Potable Aqua) to disinfect found water sources.
Portable water filters (like LifeStraws) to remove bacteria and parasites.
A metal container and heat source (like Esbit tablets) to boil and purify water.

Ideally, use a combination of these options for redundancy.

Rehydrating Food Contents

The freeze-dried and dehydrated ingredients in MREs require extra water to reconstitute.

Allow an extra 0.5-1 gallon per person per day for mixing pouches like drinks, desserts, rice/pasta sides, etc.
Carry an extra mixing cup or bowl for this purpose.
If short on water, prioritize rehydrating high-calorie and nutrient-dense items first.

Careful water planning is key to effectively utilize MRE meals and avoid dehydration in an emergency situation. Consider water needs for both drinking and food preparation when building your military MRE kits.

Storage and Organization within MRE Kits

Utilizing durable, modular containers to organize your MRE survival kit supplies is crucial for keeping items protected and easily accessible when needed.

Sturdy Storage Containers

Ammo cans, waterproof storage bins, and dry bags are all excellent options for storing MREs and other emergency gear. Their rugged, weatherproof construction keeps contents safe from moisture, dirt, and impacts. Many feature specialized compartments to neatly organize items. Sturdy latches prevent accidental opening.

Consider ammo cans if you'll be frequently accessing your MRE meals. Their durable hinges allow the lid to flip open easily. Waterproof storage bins work well for bulk items like Military MRE kits. Some even have wheels for transport. Dry bags make great grab-and-go EDC kits containing a day's worth of MRE Emergency Food Supply.

Specialized MRE Pouches

For optimal organization, utilize modular MRE carriers with specialized pockets and elastic retention straps. These allow you to customize storage based on meal components. Separate main entrees, sides, snacks, and utensils into designated areas. Strategically pack high-calorie items towards the top for quick energy.

Color-coded panels help distinguish meal types when grabbing your best MRE survival food in an emergency. Attach external straps and molle webbing to securely fasten additional gear. Proper storage using durable containers ensures your lifesaving MRE survival kit is protected and readily available if disaster strikes.

Personalizing Your MRE Survival Kit

Tailor your kit to your family's unique nutritional needs and personal tastes.

Accounting for Medical Conditions

If anyone in your family has a medical condition like diabetes or food allergies, be sure to pack suitable MRE substitutes. For example:

Diabetics should avoid MREs with high sugar content. Opt for low-carb options and pack extra snacks like nuts, seeds, and sugar-free protein bars.
If someone has a nut allergy, avoid MREs containing nuts. Choose meals with alternate protein sources like beans or jerky.
For gluten intolerance, select gluten-free MRE options when possible or supplement with your own gluten-free bars/snacks.
If lactose intolerant, avoid cheese/dairy-based MRE entrees and pack lactose-free milk instead.

Carefully read nutrition labels to vet meals for any allergens or dietary restrictions. Having safe alternatives on hand is crucial.

Satisfying Individual Preferences

Even without dietary limitations, people have different tastes. To keep morale up in an emergency:

Survey family members for their favorite MRE flavors. Stock extra of those.
Get a variety - both sweet and savory options. Mix up the entree flavors day-to-day.
Beyond main meals, include preferred snacks like trail mix, jerky, crackers, candy, etc.
Pack condiments they enjoy like hot sauce, salt, pepper, maple syrup, etc.

Having personalized options makes meals something to look forward to rather than dread in a crisis. It’s a small comfort that can go a long way.

Key Takeaways on Stocking MRE Kits

Focus on variety, density, organization, and personalization when building an MRE survival kit for emergencies.

Prioritizing Nutrition Variety

Having a diverse range of MRE meals prevents nutritional deficiencies and menu fatigue.

Include a mix of proteins, fruits, vegetables, and complex carbs in your kit
Rotate through different flavors and cuisines to maintain appetite
Consider specialized dietary needs of those relying on the kit

Importance of Shelf Life

Rotate out aging MREs to maximize freshness and carefully track expiration dates.

MREs can last 5+ years, but quality declines over time
Set reminders to cycle out older meal packs
Store MREs properly to preserve maximum shelf life
Note expiration dates clearly when packing emergency bags

Prioritizing variety, organization, and freshness helps create reliable and nutritious MRE survival kits. This ensures you and your family are properly sustained through an emergency situation.