MREs
Soldier food pouches
MREs, short for Meals Ready to Eat, are self-contained field rations used by the U.S. military and emergency responders.
Each sealed pouch contains a complete meal—entrée, side dishes, dessert, and accessories—designed to remain shelf-stable for years without refrigeration.
MREs include a flameless heater that uses a chemical reaction to warm food without fire.
We lived on MREs for three days after the hurricane knocked out power.
The term has become shorthand for any prepackaged survival food.
Controlled food portions
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- soldiersMilitary personnel who fight
- fieldArea of specialty
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
troops · Army · infantry · patrol · barracks · camouflage · rucksack · canteen
Measures of food energy
- sodiumEleventh element, highly reactive
- preservativesDecay-preventing substances
- proteinFolded amino chain
- carbohydratesSugar-based energy compounds
fortified · vitamins · energy · macros · dense · sustaining · filling · balanced
Primary dinner course
- heaterDevice producing warmth
- flamelessLacking open combustion
- pouchSmall flexible bag
- crackersCrispy flat biscuits
spread · beverage · accessory · utensil · condiments · dessert · main · sides
Serious sudden danger
- preparednessState of being equipped
- stockpileAccumulated reserve supply
- prepperOne who stockpiles for catastrophe
- bunkerReinforced subterranean stronghold
disaster · hurricane · earthquake · bugout · cache · storage · shelf-life · calories
Lacking distinctive qualities
- constipationDifficult, infrequent waste elimination
- vegetarianOne who abstains from flesh
- cheeseFermented milk solid
- tortelliniStuffed ring pasta
jalapeno · menu · variety · trading · favorites · worst · beef · chicken
rations
Controlled food portions
deployment · troops · Army · infantry · patrol · barracks · camouflage · rucksack · canteen · mess
calories
Measures of food energy
- sodiumEleventh element, highly reactive
- preservativesDecay-preventing substances
- proteinFolded amino chain
carbohydrates · fortified · vitamins · energy · macros · dense · sustaining · filling · balanced · minerals
entree
Primary dinner course
crackers · spread · beverage · accessory · utensil · condiments · dessert · main · sides · powdered
emergency
Serious sudden danger
- preparednessState of being equipped
- stockpileAccumulated reserve supply
- prepperOne who stockpiles for catastrophe
bunker · disaster · hurricane · earthquake · bugout · cache · storage · shelf-life · calories · sustenance
bland
Lacking distinctive qualities
- constipationDifficult, infrequent waste elimination
- vegetarianOne who abstains from flesh
- cheeseFermented milk solid
tortellini · jalapeno · menu · variety · trading · favorites · worst · beef · chicken · pork
- emergency suppliesfirst aid kit, bottled water, flashlight, batteries, canned food
- military suppliesammunition, ammo, rifles, bombs, bandages
- relief suppliesblankets, food, medicine, clean water, bottled water
- suppliessupplies, stock, stockpile, stores, essentials
- hunger relieffood aid, famine relief, emergency food, hunger relief, food drops
- militariabayonets, medals, military patches, military insignia, dog tags
MREsfine dining
Elegant restaurant experience
gourmet meal · sit-down dinner · banquet · feast · haute cuisine
MREshaute cuisine
Elevated culinary artistry
gourmet food · artisanal cooking · slow food · French cuisine · omakase