Do mre's cause blockages or is this a myth?

[DUKE NUKEM]

Is their a additive that causes constipation?

[kman]

I think that used to be true in the past but might not be completely the case anymore. Let me tell you a little story to explain why I think this way...

A couple of years ago, I was sick. It was an intestinal bug - you get the picture. I tried all manner of pepto-bismo, etc. to fix it but nothing seemed to work. Finally, in desperation, I recalled that people said the older MREs would stop you right up. So I dug into my collection and pulled out a Corned Beef Hash MRE from 1992 and ate it. And sure enough...that did the trick!

Since then, I've eaten a ton of 2000+ MREs and haven't had any of those problems. So I'm thinking maybe it was some ingredient they used back them or some combination of ingredients that led to this "side effect" - but that might not be the case now.

[DUKE NUKEM]

THANKS KMAN. I ALSO WAS TOLD THAT MRE'S ARE HIGH IN FAT AND CALORIES? I GUESS IN A SHTF SITUATION THIS WOULD BE NEEDED.

[kman]

Yes, a lot of the MREs are high in fat, calories, and carbs - but that's kind of the point...to give you energy and keep you going.

I've heard people recommend that if you are in a SHTF situation and you find yourself having to live off MREs, if you can't supplement your diet with any vegetables, you should at least have some multivitamins handy.

If you want to see some MRE nutritional info, check out some of the entree listings at Longlifefood.com.

Here's some sample info from Chili Macaroni:

Serving Size 1pouch - 227g
Calories - 270
Total Fat - 9g
Saturated Fat - 3.5g
Cholesterol - 35mg
Sodium - 910mg
Total Carbohydrate - 23g
Dietary Fiber - 2g
Sugars - 5g
Protein - 24g

Ingredients
Water, cooked beef patty (beef,water, textured vegetable protein (soy protein concentrate, caramel color), salt), macaroni (semolina, water, egg whites, glyceryl monostearate, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), tomato paste, contains 2% or less of the following: concentrated crushed tomatoes, chili powder (chili pepper, spices, salt, garlic powder), modfied food starch, dehydrated onions, salt, brown sugar, soy lecithin, black pepper.

[DUKE NUKEM]

THE MRE FROM "92" WOULD THAT STILL BE GOOD TODAY IF STORED IN AN AIRCONDITION ROOM?

[kman]

Oh yeah, it'd probably still be good - even if it wasn't stored in an air conditioned room. I can only imagine where my 1992 MREs have been stored over the past 13 years (since I wasn't the original owner) but I haven't run across a bad one yet.

Well...not a "bad" MRE...but the applesauce and cheese spread were funny colors - they'd probably be ok to eat, but I decided to pass on them after taking a taste.

[DUKE NUKEM]

THANKS KMAN YOU HELPED ME OUT ALOT

[DangerousDave]

Meals, ready to Constipate. That was an old joke. Just drink enough water and you'll be OK , as long as you take in to consideration, Flouridation. You may want to watch this old movie called, "Dr. StrangeLove".

[DIRTYDAVE]

MRE's have always made me go to the bathroom. So I say from my experience...NO!

[SoFloAuthor]

Military MREs are manufactured with high fat, less moisture and more protien... so I was told when I researched my preparedness guide.

Those factors will cause your body to "cycle" differently. Mil-MREs are designed for people in the field, not near the potty, hence the design to not induce body "cycling".

I was also taught at Camp LeJune that adding a little water to the entree OR increasing water intake would help keep things "running normal".

In my preparedness seminars, I recommend civilians using Mil-MREs in disaster situations introduce canned veggies with the MRE meals or use fiber pills to avoid the pain of constipation.

The civilian versions of the MREs produced by Wornick and AQ have more moisture and less protien in the entrees. The also contain raisuns and nuts....both good sources of fiber.

My personal preparedness pantry is made up of MREs and A-Packs supported by canned veggies and fruit. A balanced diet will make HELL taste a little better, "because everything tastes good when you're hungry!"

Dirty, I've read you're posts and laughed many times....
BRO, if you're sufferin', it's due to your desire to try any and everything! Your reviews are the best. "Give it to Dirty, he'll eat anything!"

I have a bunch of Country Crappin Chicken to send you...!

REMEMBER, if you choose to rotate your emergency food stock, MREs are welcomed at the local food pantry as long as they have been stored properly....CHARITY begins at home...in the U.S.A.