The Hidden Dangers of MREs: Why Soldiers Deserve Better Nutrition

In the fast-paced, high-stress environment of the battlefield, soldiers need more than just weapons to succeed—they need the right fuel to sustain their physical and mental performance. Meals Ready-to-Eat (MREs) are the go-to source of food for soldiers on the frontlines, offering the convenience of being shelf-stable and easy to carry. 

However, the ingredients that give MREs their long shelf life come with a downside. These meals are packed with processed ingredients, preservatives, artificial additives, and unhealthy fats, which not only lack the nutrients soldiers need but could also negatively affect their health, energy, and performance.

While MREs are designed for practicality and shelf life, they significantly harm soldiers' well-being. Here, we examine the ingredients commonly found in MREs and how they fail to provide the necessary nutrition. We'll explore why these rations contribute to poor metabolic health, poor gut health, reduced stamina, and slower recovery times and why it's crucial to rethink military rations and prioritize better, more nutritious food.[1,2]

The Problem with Modern Military Rations

MREs are built to be durable, easy to transport, and shelf-stable for extended periods—sometimes years—making them ideal for military operations in remote or hostile environments. However, to achieve this longevity, manufacturers rely on a wide range of preservatives, stabilizers, emulsifiers, and artificial additives that sacrifice nutrition for convenience and shelf life.

The Ingredients in MREs[3-5]

Preservatives:

MREs contain preservatives to keep them fresh and prevent spoilage. Some of the most common ones are:

• Sodium Benzoate is a chemical used to prevent bacterial and fungal growth. While it is effective, it has been linked to hyperactivity in children and can form benzene, a carcinogen, when combined with vitamin C.
• Potassium Sorbate: It prevents the growth of mold and yeast, but some individuals may experience mild irritation.
• Sodium Nitrite: Often found in meat products, sodium nitrite preserves color and prevents the growth of harmful bacteria, including Clostridium botulinum (which causes botulism). However, sodium nitrite can form potentially carcinogenic nitrosamines when cooked at high temperatures.
• BHA/BHT (Butylated Hydroxyanisole and Butylated Hydroxytoluene): These preservatives help keep fats from going rancid, but they are considered "possibly carcinogenic" by some health organizations.

These preservatives extend MREs' shelf life but also introduce potentially harmful substances that can affect the body over time.

Stabilizers and Emulsifiers:

MREs use stabilizers and emulsifiers to keep the texture and consistency intact. Some of the most common ones are:

• Xanthan Gum: A thickening agent that helps maintain the texture of sauces and gravies. While considered safe, it may cause bloating or gas in sensitive individuals.
• Modified Food Starch: Derived from corn, wheat, or potatoes, it helps improve texture and stability. However, it can be an issue for people with sensitivities to these ingredients.
• Mono- and Diglycerides: These emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating processed foods. They can sometimes be derived from trans fats linked to heart disease.

These additives contribute to the stability and texture of MREs, but they do little to support the soldier’s nutritional needs or health.

Dyes and Artificial Colors:

MREs often use artificial coloring agents to make food look more appetizing or maintain its appearance after long storage periods. Some of the dyes commonly found in MREs include:

• Red 40 (Allura Red AC): Linked to hyperactivity in children and potential allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
• Yellow 5 (Tartrazine): Known to cause allergic reactions, particularly in those sensitive to aspirin, and some studies suggest a link to hyperactivity.
• Caramel Coloring: Often used in sauces and gravies, some types may contain 4-MEI, a potential carcinogen.

Although these artificial colors may enhance the appearance of MRE meals, they offer no nutritional benefit and could have negative health effects when consumed regularly.

Flavor Enhancers:

To make MREs more palatable, manufacturers rely on flavor enhancers such as:

• Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): A common seasoning in many processed foods that enhances savory flavors. Some people are sensitive to MSG and may experience headaches or digestive issues.
• Autolyzed Yeast Extract: A savory flavor compound derived from yeast cells. It contains free glutamates, similar to MSG, and may cause issues for those avoiding glutamates.

These flavor additives may improve the taste of MREs, but they don't provide any health benefits or enhance performance. In fact, they can even cause sensitivities in some people.

Acidity Regulators:
Acidity regulators balance the pH levels of MRE components to ensure their safety and stability. Common acidity regulators include:

• Citric Acid: Used to preserve freshness and enhance flavor. While generally safe, high concentrations can irritate.
• Phosphoric Acid stabilizes acidity in some processed drinks and meats, but excessive consumption can contribute to bone calcium loss.

The Impact of Poor Nutrition on Soldier Performance

MREs may provide soldiers with the calories they need to sustain them during their missions, but they must also offer the essential nutrients required for optimal performance. Because they rely on processed ingredients, preservatives, and artificial additives, soldiers need more key nutrients for maintaining physical strength, stamina, and mental focus.

Physical Effects

Soldiers eating nutrient-poor meals may face deficiencies that affect their physical performance. Organ meats, healthy fats, and proteins are vital for muscle recovery, energy, and stamina, but MREs often lack these essential nutrients. As a result, this can lead to:[6]

• Reduced strength and stamina
• Slower recovery times after physical exertion or injury
• Increased susceptibility to fatigue and illness

Cognitive Effects

Poor nutrition can also negatively impact a soldier’s cognitive function. Without essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and iron, soldiers may struggle with:[7,8]

• Reduced focus and slower decision-making
• Impaired memory and mental clarity
• Increased vulnerability to mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety

Studies have shown that a well-balanced diet is critical to cognitive function and mental resilience. We are compromising soldiers' ability to think clearly and perform under pressure by denying soldiers the essential nutrients they need.

Animal-Based Foods: The Key to Resilience

In contrast to the nutrient-devoid MREs, animal-based foods are an excellent source of the vitamins, minerals, and bioavailable proteins crucial for soldier performance. Organ meats, lean cuts of meat, and animal fats provide the body with easily absorbed nutrients that support muscle growth, energy production, and immune function.[9,10]

• Liver: Packed with vitamin A, B vitamins, iron, and essential amino acids, liver is a powerhouse for energy and immune support.
• Sweetbreads and Kidneys: Rich in zinc, selenium, and other minerals, these organs help support thyroid function and boost immune health.
• Bone Broth and Collagen: These provide amino acids and collagen, which support joint health and muscle recovery—critical for soldiers in physically demanding environments.

While animal-based foods provide these essential nutrients, the challenge is making them shelf-stable and portable for military use. Innovation can play a crucial role in transforming military nutrition, creating nutrient-dense, easily transportable meals that meet the needs of soldiers on the frontlines.

Reimagining Military Nutrition for the Modern Soldier

Given the vital role nutrition plays in physical and mental performance, it’s time to revamp military rations to better support soldiers’ health and resilience. Rather than depending on processed MREs with low nutritional value, the military should look into more nutrient-dense, shelf-stable options.

Meat-Based, Fat-Rich Products
One potential solution is incorporating meat-based, fat-rich products, such as freeze-dried or vacuum-sealed options, into military rations. These alternatives could deliver the essential nutrients soldiers need without sacrificing convenience or shelf life.

Nutrient-Dense Meals
A shift towards using real, whole foods—such as organ meats, healthy fats, and high-quality proteins—could vastly improve soldiers' stamina, recovery times, and overall health. The key is to find ways to make these nutrient-dense options shelf-stable and easy to carry on missions.

The Carnivore Bar is an ideal solution for soldiers needing a nutrient-dense, shelf-stable food option that supports physical and mental performance. Made from high-quality, animal-based ingredients like grass-fed beef and tallow, the Carnivore Bar provides rich bioavailable protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and minerals. It’s free from processed sugars, additives, and preservatives, making it a clean and effective fuel for soldiers in demanding environments. Its compact design and long shelf life make it easy to transport and store, ensuring that soldiers can rely on it for sustained energy, improved stamina, and faster recovery—no matter the conditions.

Our soldiers deserve better than the nutrient-devoid, processed rations currently available. The success of military operations relies not only on weapons and strategy but also on the health and well-being of the soldiers executing them. By providing nutrient-dense, animal-based foods, we can ensure those on the frontlines have the energy, endurance, and mental clarity needed to succeed. Strong, healthy soldiers are the backbone of any military force—let’s give them the nutrition they need to thrive.

Citations: 

1. "Effects of 21 Days of MRE Consumption on Nutritional Status and Metabolic Health in U.S. Military Personnel." Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, vol. 119, no. 12, 2019, pp. 2039-2047. https://www.jandonline.org/article/S2212-2672(19)30685-9/fulltext. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.
2. "Army Researchers Dug into the Effects of MREs on Gut Health. Here’s What They Discovered." U.S. Army, 16 Mar. 2023, https://www.army.mil/article/227225/army_researchers_dug_into_the_effects_of_mres_on_gut_health_heres_what_they_discovered. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.
3. MRE Entrée Ingredients, Allergens & Nutritional Info." MRE Mountain, https://mremountain.com/pages/mre-entree-ingredients-allergens-nutritional-info. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.
4. "Meals, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) Flameless Ration Heaters (FRH)." U.S. Army, https://home.army.mil/hawaii/application/files/6116/0861/4895/MealsREheaters-2020.pdf. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.
5. "Operational Rations of the Department of Defense." U.S. Army, https://api.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/306070.pdf. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.
6. Gorman, Michael, et al. "Diet Quality and Nutritional Status Among U.S. Army Special Operations Forces Soldiers During Deployment." Nutrition Journal, vol. 16, no. 1, 2017, pp. 48. https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12937-017-0262-5. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.
7. Gaffney, Austin L., et al. "Nutritional Support for Enhancing Cognitive Function in Military Personnel." BMJ Military Health, 11 June 2024, https://militaryhealth.bmj.com/content/early/2024/06/11/military-2024-002738. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.
8. Park, Deok-Hoon, et al. "The Impact of Inadequate Nutrition on Physical and Cognitive Performance in Military Personnel." Military Medicine, vol. 170, no. 5, 2024, pp. 415-423. https://militaryhealth.bmj.com/content/170/5/415. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.
9. "Organ Meats: The Ultimate Superfood." Healthline, 2 Oct. 2024, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/organ-meats. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.
10. "9 Health Benefits of Adding Organ Meats to Your Diet." Nutriest, https://nutriest.eu/9-health-benefits-of-adding-organ-meats-to-your-diet. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.