Officially, MREs are designed to have a shelf life of three years when stored at 80 degree F. These times can be lengthened or shortened depending on their storage temperatures. Higher temperatures = shorter MRE lifespans. I’ve tried many MREs that were 10 or 15 years old and with the exception of a few parts that had darkened in color over time, they still tasted fine. Regardless of your situation, proper food storage is an absolute must. Some MREs can easily help you meet that goal. Now, as a fully grown adult, it's time to taste these again and see which meals really are "edible" and which can stay in the box. Best MREs, Ranked From Worst To Best:

Trans-Fat Free), Nuts & Raisins, Candy, Chocolate Protein Drink, Hot sauce, spoon, Flameless Ration Heater And while the main dish itself is great, MRE Surplus does a fantastic job with the other included items as well. You get a nice array of extras here.

It’s worth pointing out that survival food is not meant to be consumed over a long period of time. They are an emergency food supply. This is something that a lot of people don’t realize if they don’t have prior experience with MRE. Taste: If it tastes bad, you won’t eat it. Plain and simple. With that in mind, I looked for meals that cooked evenly all the way through, brought some spice or variety, and tasted yummy.

There some important things to note. Meals Ready to Eat are very high in sodium, fat (saturated and trans), and have little fiber. They were designed this way on purpose. They are high in calories to meet the caloric needs of individuals who are very active. The fat provides calories (energy for the body). The high sodium content replaces lost salt lost through sweating.

MRE Cases

Many items are fortified with nutrients. In addition, DoD policy requires units to augment MREs with fresh food whenever feasible, especially in training environments. You might be asking so how did I know the first digit, the 5, stood for 2015 and not 2005? Well the look of MREs is usually very different from decade to decade, so it’s easy to tell. Also, as long as you buy from a reputable supplier, you shouldn’t have to worry about your MREs being over 10 years old. If you’re really concerned, you can always reach out to the supplier and ask for the Julian date. Difference between a MRE Meal and MRE Entree? If you’re prepping but are concerned about the health value of the food that you’re storing, I recommend Legacy Premium products. a b Kearny, Cresson H. (Major), Jungle Snafus ... And Remedies, Oregon Institute (1996), pp. 286–291 Overall Health & Nutrition: In a post-apocalyptic world, you probably won’t be thinking about MSG, but overall nutrition is important! When reviewing these meals, I went right to the ingredient list. Could I pronounce and easily recognize ingredients, and were they free from things like soy or other additives?