Tips for civilian consumption vs. health

[Shadowrunner]

I'm in a bit of a housing situation and might end up being forced to camp for 30-60 days. I'm aware of the study the U.S. Army was trying to conduct regarding constant use up to 21 days, etc. I bought a case of supposedly legit Warfighter rations with a 2017 pack date, 2020 inspection date.

1. How is it sellers are selling these on amazon with the resale restriction clearly printed? Are there possible counterfeits?
2. What is the longest period of time a deployed soldier is typically expected to resort to MRE's?
3. Aside from the higher calorie count, are there particular advantages to military MRE's beyond shelf life and package durability?
4. Are there chemical preservatives or other potentially unhealthy ingredients not found in civilian rations I should know about?
5. Do military MRE's make use of hydrogenated fats? I've noticed civilian ones like Mountain House do.
6. Are there reasons aside from menu availability to choose civilian rations over military? I've noticed they don't have many calories and I'd have to eat twice as much so I'm wondering if they're even more cost effective than military rations despite being cheaper.
7. Are there any supplements I might want to include with ration use that would help with digestive issues or other help mitigate any issues they could cause?

[carlosflar]

Answers:

2. For the US I don't remember exactly but it's 20-30 days, and for a period that long you may encounter some difficulties... Try to get a source of fresh food if you can
3. Well... They are well made the ones for the army but i think the main differences with the civilian versions, aside of calories, are just small details
4. Nah, everything is approved by health organizations, properly tested and everything, nothing to worry about
5. Not an expert, but I think there aren't, or at least there isn't much
7: bran tablets or bran powder, fresh fruit if you can, spices, lemon juice, some sauces to spice up a meal... To break monotony, it's important, and if you are going to go for 60 days on rations, bring variety of Rations before you go nuts XD

[Shadowrunner]

Answers:

2. For the US I don't remember exactly but it's 20-30 days, and for a period that long you may encounter some difficulties... Try to get a source of fresh food if you can.

It's my understanding that combat actions and field exercises are rather brief and soldiers are expected to eventually get back to where there's supply lines and better food. Hopefully a vet will chime in on that. If the Army's looking in to what happens to our health at 21 days I'd assume that's the extreme.

7: bran tablets or bran powder, fresh fruit if you can, spices, lemon juice, some sauces to spice up a meal... To break monotony, it's important, and if you are going to go for 60 days on rations, bring variety of Rations before you go nuts XD

Oh for sure. I'm disabled with mobility impairments and expect possible difficulties keeping myself supplied with fresh food if I'm forced to camp in dispersed areas, so the rations are really a just-in-case. I plan on keeping fruits & veggies, nuts, etc. on hand but I'm going to want the potential for hot meals once a day without needing to make fires or use much water for cooking since it's a critical resource and burdensome to haul or carry around.

[RockyRaab]

As to your #1 question, retail sellers are simply ignoring the law. It is illegal to sell them commercially. I don't think a single case has ever been prosecuted, though. So, they're just taking what is apparently a very small risk.

[blue87fj60]

The first question has always been a question.
Apparently lots of MRE’s are sold at DRMO auctions , Etc.
Just had that big lot sold in Puerto Rico for example. MRE’s made for the .gov & .mil are obviously from tax money funded budgets.
So why couldn’t you resell them if you bought them at auction? You can sell everything else from mil vehicles to clothing.

[Shadowrunner]

I had the hashbrowns menu 20 and they were great, glad my whole case isn't off.