Ideal Dream Ration?

[Rationista]

Apologies if this has been asked before....but I was wondering what you experts feel would be the dream ration....if you could pick and choose the elements from different countries rations what would you have? Who makes the best entrees, snacks, drinks?? I've only tried MRE and RCIR so I don't have much to go on....but I'd be really interested to hear your views!

[cavguy]

Personally I thinks the Brits have it spot on with their 24 hour ration pack.

Only improvements I would make;

(1) Eliminate trans-fat completely from the ration.
(2) Lower the sugar content of the ration.
(3) Lower sodium content of entire ration.
(4) Include more protein, eg: protein shake, etc. instead of sugary drink mix.
(5) Balance out the ratio of Fats vs Carbs vs Protein.

[Bypah]

Cav just hit the spot....
I will also limit the use of "junk food" or keep it to the minimum as "comfort" food for morale.
that's why I like most of the European rations. Most of their foods looks like home cooking. The MRE's are ok but they always have that "fake " taste except for the dry foods like MCW's.

[noderaser]

Unfortunately, I think that removing too much fat, sugar and sodium would also remove much of the flavor. Also, proteins tend to break down faster which might limit shelf life, or require the use of additional preservatives.

[rationtin440]

I'd still like to see something along the lines of what the characters had in James Axler's "Deathlands" book series: survivors of a nuclear exchange finding bunkers with a bunch of cool stuff including matter transmitters and self-heating rations which worked by pulling a ring to activate the heater chemicals inside the double walled cans and pouches. Although it might not be real practical unless it 1. heated the food up real quick, and 2. heated it thoroughly (a couple of the characters got sick on several occasions from eating 100+ year-old rations which obviously were not rotated properly..... Another thing I'd like to see would be more drink and snack accessories and a complete dis-continuing of anything with artificial sweetener because 1. the stuff is not good for you, 2. soldiers need real energy and carbs, and 3. the taste leaves, well, a taste..... Anyway that would be my ideal ration, although I do like the idea of a 24-hour ration although with more flexibility and less menu-fatigue inducing variety (I will say the UK got it right with their menu variety though.)

[RockyRaab]

There's an old adage that says soldiers aren't happy unless they're gritching (my own word, part gripe and part *itch) about something - with chow at the top of the gritch list. So there probably isn't an ideal ration. Or if there were, there'd be a different one for every soldier. Pretty tough on logistics, that.

Personally, I'd prefer more entrees in cans and not retort pouches. Canned food seems to hold up without the heavy preservatives they need in pouches. I'd want a lot less sugar and carbs, but more protein and fiber. And more hot drinks - with a decent way to boil water.