How to Make an MRE
An MRE, or Meal Ready to Eat, can be a lifesaver and ease stress if you are hit by a disaster or find yourself having to live without electricity for longer than a few hours. If done right, in fact, most foods in an MRE will last a minimum of three years. Prepare for emergencies by making your own well-balanced MRE at home.
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Things You'll Need
- Pre-cooked or packaged foods
- Condiment packets
- Spice packets
- Heavy-duty zip lock bags
- Masking tape
Instructions
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1
Collect small packages of pre-cooked meat. Good choices include Spam, tuna and chili. For alternative protein sources, try canned or pre-cooked packaged beans. Peanut butter is also a solid source of protein.
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2
Gather fruits and vegetables. Dried fruits work well because they are compact and are a good energy source. For vegetables, try canned items such as corn, peas or carrots.
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3
Including grains in an MRE can be a little trickier because they aren't always simple to prepare. Add instant rice, which can be made easily with water. Stick with whole-wheat or grain crackers to improve your fiber intake.
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4
Stock up on extras. Dried milk supplements your calcium intake and adds flavor to other foods. Salt, pepper and spice packets are recommended, but are not required. The same goes for condiments. Plastic utensils work best for long-term storage.
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5
Fill the bags with food, keeping a good mix of items from all food groups in each to improve the nutritional value. Stock the MRE with at least one utensil. Compact the food as much as possible in the bags, but don't overfill. Leave at least 2 inches of space toward the top of the bag where it closes.
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Fold the zipped end of the bag against the filled portion. Wrap two or three strips of masking tapes around the folded bag to secure the food and to protect it.
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7
Store the MRE in a safe, dry place for easy access in an emergency.
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Tips & Warnings
For canned items, use those that have tabs for easy opening. Grabbing a can opener may be the last thing on your mind in an emergency. Stock the MRE with any food you like, as long as it is ready to eat or can be prepared with little or no effort.
