Comparing rations

[rationtin440]

I'm curious for opinions here: every country's rations that are mentioned in the boards, what are everyone's views on how the American MRE compares to the rations from other countries? I'm looking for likes and dis-likes, for example what do you like about the UK rations over the MRE and vice versa----also as example, what do you like about German Epa over the MRE and vice versa. Also the French and Canadian ones. I've never had a chance to try other countries rations so I'm curious. Thanks.

[dirtbag]

Pros
USA- Variety in entree menus, cheese spreads, Tabasco. Available everywhere!
UK - Large servings, some very nice entrees, Lots of snacks and drinks. Biscuits Brown and fruit!
Germany- Great entrees! and finally some variety! Chocolate, drinks. Bread and Keks.
France- Marvelous entrees, snacks.Stove and heat tabs.
Norway- Great and large entrees. snacks and chocolate. A+
Canada- The Salmon is Great.

Cons
USA- The crackers are bland and fragile, need real bread, Need more 'Adult' drinks (Tea and Coffee) needs folding stove/heat tabs.
UK- need more variety. you gotta love beans...
Germany- none.
France- Need to produce more, so I can get some!!! otherwise, NICE!
Norway- Not much to say, I like them!
Canada- Chemical bread, the entrees are US made now, limited availability.

My opinions are slanted, as I'm a lot older than the children serving today...
I don't care for the 'junk food' in new rations.


I wouldn't say no to any of them!

[Bypah]

My opinions are slanted, as I'm a lot older than the children serving today...
I don't care for the 'junk food' in new rations.

I'm not as old but is true. Today's rations are adapted for kids and the "snacky" food they eat today.
The political correct word for... JUNK FOOD!

[rationtin440]

Thanks so much for replies guys! This is exactly the kind of feedback I'm looking for. As for the "junk food" in the modern rations, I believe it is/was the idea of nutritionists and senior officers of the Army Veterinary Corps once upon a time that putting "junk food" in the rations served two purposes: heighten morale and heighten carbs. Don't forget, soldiers in combat consume tremendous amounts of carbs and other nutrients, and they need alot of foods rich in both. I recall the MCIs I ate when I first enlisted near the end of the cold war, and they were ok, but not nearly the variety that MREs have.

[Bypah]

Thanks so much for replies guys! This is exactly the kind of feedback I'm looking for. As for the "junk food" in the modern rations, I believe it is/was the idea of nutritionists and senior officers of the Army Veterinary Corps once upon a time that putting "junk food" in the rations served two purposes: heighten morale and heighten carbs. Don't forget, soldiers in combat consume tremendous amounts of carbs and other nutrients, and they need alot of foods rich in both. I recall the MCIs I ate when I first enlisted near the end of the cold war, and they were ok, but not nearly the variety that MREs have.

I know aboutthe morale boosting but the majority of the new breed os soldiers are just kiddos.
When my son was in the Army he just kept sating they went days with simply those Red Bull,Monster type of energy drinks and plenty of snacky foods. All of this delivered to them via small trucks in the field @ Ft. Irwin.
The majority didn't even liked the MRE's which they ended being wasted or in good hands
Lol...

[rationtin440]

I understand what you're saying, Bypah. Unfortunately that kind of junk is of little nutritive value, and of course some of those drinks have stuff in them that is just not very good for the body if taken every day. I talked to friends who came back from tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and they told me that even with 2-3 MREs per day, they had to supplement them with other food because they felt like they were running out of energy. Of course it is very difficult to get soldiers to "eat right" in the field, I was a medic and I found myself having to explain to soldiers on several occasions why stuff like Coca-Cola and Hostess snacks were probably not the best way to "carb up" for a heavy training day. I should start a separate topic about the policies of the UK, Germany, and other countries represented in the boards regarding junk food in the field. Or as we called it, "pogey-bait!"

[cavguy]

In regards to the UK rations vs US MRE's, I actually prefer the UK rations I like the fact that the UK rations are a full 24 hour ration. You can pick what you want to carry out with you on ops like field stripping an MRE without having to draw 3 full rations. The new UK Multi-Climate rations seems to me so far to be made of fairly healthy foods I don't see too much junk additives (so far as I have looked). I don't like all the additives and trans fat in the US MRE. One downside to the UK rations is their lack of a meal heater so you have to rely on your own heating device or just eat the ration cold.

The Canadian rations seem to me to be very similar to our MRE, although I have seem a few items containing MSG in them.

The US Army's doctrine when it comes to field feeding is like this; you SHOULD get a UGR or A rations for breakfast, a MRE for lunch and hot A rations or UGR's for dinner. Very rarely would you have to eat 3 MRE's daily, at least once a day providing supply permits you would get a hot meal (UGR or A rations). I would say about 90% of the time this is how it worked for me.