Meals Ready-to-Eat (MREs) are prepackaged meals designed for military use. They contain entrees, side dishes, snacks, and desserts to provide enough calories to sustain soldiers in the field. With calorie needs varying based on the intensity of missions, the military offers MRE options with different calorie contents. So which MRE has the most calories?
What are MREs?
MREs, or Meals Ready-to-Eat, are complete meals in lightweight packaging created for the United States military. The military developed them in 1975 to provide nutritionally balanced, shelf-stable meals to soldiers in combat. MREs contain entrees, starch and cracker components, desserts, snacks, spreads, drinks, and flameless ration heaters to warm up the entrees. Each meal supplies an average of 1,250 calories to meet the high energy demands of military personnel in training or combat operations. They also provide one-third of the Military Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamins and minerals.
The entree provides the main source of protein, often consisting of pasta, rice, or potatoes with beef, pork, chicken, or fish. Side dishes like crackers, bread, nuts, dried fruits, and spreads supplement the meal. A sweet snack or dessert item provides quick calories along with the entree. Accessory packets include seasoning, beverages like sports drinks or coffee, and towelettes. Flameless ration heaters allow soldiers to warm up the entree without the need for a stove or open flame.
MREs come in cases of 12 meals to feed one soldier for one day. The military offers over 20 different menus that rotate regularly. Each MRE contains at least 1,250 calories but can go up to 1,550 calories. Specialized versions also exist for vegetarians, religious needs, or cultural preferences.
History of the MRE
The earliest versions of the MRE originated from the lightweight canned foods used by the military in World War II. In 1958, the Department of Defense began research into creating daily food rations designed for individual soldiers. This led to the Meal, Combat, Individual ration, first issued in 1966. These rations relied on canned wet rations for the entree and starch, with additional crackers and spreads.
After field testing, the military introduced the Meal, Ready-to-Eat in 1975 to replace the C-rations. Technology advancements like flexible pouches, flameless ration heaters, and specialized packaging increased the quality and variety of the MRE. It offered more menu options and allowed soldiers to heat their meals.
Since then, the military has continued to update the MRE to provide better quality and more variety. From originally only 12 entrees, now over 20 entrees make up the standard menu. Ongoing development focuses on lighter weight packaging, increased nutrient density, and more appealing food.
Calorie Contents by MRE Meal
The U.S. military offers a standard menu of 24 different MRE entrees, though only 12 make up a given case. The calorie contents vary across the different meals, ranging from 1,250 to 1,550 calories per pouch. Heavier items like pasta tend to carry more calories, while lighter items like sandwiches tend to have fewer calories. Here is a breakdown of the calorie contents by each MRE meal:
| MRE Meal | Calories |
|---|---|
| Beef Ravioli in Meat Sauce | 1,285 |
| Beef Stew | 1,300 |
| Beef Taco | 1,285 |
| Cheese Tortellini | 1,290 |
| Chicken Fajita | 1,250 |
| Chicken Pesto Pasta | 1,415 |
| Chili with Beans | 1,450 |
| Lasagna with Meat Sauce | 1,300 |
| Meatballs in Marinara | 1,440 |
| Pork Sausage with Gravy | 1,300 |
| Pot Roast | 1,340 |
| Spaghetti with Beef and Sauce | 1,300 |
| Sweet and Sour Pork | 1,300 |
| Vegetable Lasagna | 1,255 |
As shown, the chili with beans has the highest calorie count at 1,450 calories per pouch. Meatballs in marinara, chicken pesto pasta, and the pot roast also all provide over 1,400 calories. On the lower end, the chicken fajita has just 1,250 calories.
Highest Calorie MRE Choices
If you need maximum calories, the chili with beans, meatballs in marinara, chicken pesto pasta, or Southwest beef and black beans are the top MRE choices, with 1,450 calories or more per pouch:
- Chili with Beans – 1,450 calories
- Meatballs in Marinara – 1,440 calories
- Chicken Pesto Pasta – 1,415 calories
- Southwest Beef and Black Beans – 1,410 calories
These meals provide the full daily calorie needs for most soldiers to maintain energy levels with intense activity. The chili contains beans, beef, tomatoes, and crackers for a hearty high calorie option. Meatballs with pasta and marinara make a calorie and carb-dense entree. Chicken pesto pasta has the extra calories from olive oil in the pesto sauce. Southwest beef and beans mixes beef, beans, rice, and tortillas.
Lowest Calorie MRE Choices
On the other end, the chicken fajita pouch has the fewest calories at 1,250 per meal. Other lower calorie options include:
- Chicken Fajita – 1,250 calories
- Beef Taco – 1,285 calories
- Vegetable Lasagna – 1,255 calories
- Beef Ravioli – 1,285 calories
These contain lighter meat like chicken or less dense pasta dishes like the vegetable lasagna. The chicken fajita has chicken, tortillas, rice, and condiments. The beef taco contains ground beef, nacho cheese sauce, and crackers. Vegetable lasagna mixes pasta with tomato sauce instead of higher fat meats.
Calorie Differences for Men and Women
Since women generally require fewer daily calories than men, the military offers lower calorie MRE options designed for female soldiers. These MREs provide about 1,200 calories to better meet women’s needs and avoid providing excess calories.
For women, lower calorie options include:
- Barbecue beef – 1,200 calories
- Jambalaya – 1,200 calories
- Cheese Tortellini – 1,200 calories
- Maple Sausage – 1,200 calories
Higher calorie options for men provide around 1,500 calories and include:
- Meatballs in Marinara – 1,550 calories
- Chicken Fajita – 1,500 calories
- Beef Stew – 1,500 calories
- Chili and Macaroni – 1,500 calories
This helps tailor calorie contents more appropriately for gender-based metabolic differences.
Specialty and Religious MREs
In addition to the standard menu, specialized MREs exist to meet religious, cultural, or preference needs:
- Kosher – Meets Jewish dietary laws, such as no pork or mixing of meat and dairy.
- Halal – Contains Halal certified entrees per Islamic law, such as no pork.
- Vegetarian – No meat contents for vegetarians.
- Kosher/Vegetarian – Certified Kosher and contains no meat.
Religious MREs provide around 1,250 calories like standard MREs. Vegetarian versions tend to be lower calorie, with 1,120 calories per meal. They replace meat with items like beans, tofu, vegetables, and rice.:
| Vegetarian MRE | Calories |
|---|---|
| Vegetable Burrito | 1,280 |
| Black Beans and Rice | 1,160 |
| Pasta Primavera | 1,130 |
Heater Options
MREs come with flameless ration heaters to warm up the entree without additional equipment. The heater contains a mixture of magnesium, iron, and salt that creates an exothermic reaction when water is added. This heats the entree up to 100°F in about 10-15 minutes. Using the heater increases the calories and sodium content of the MRE slightly.
On average, the heater adds:
- 60-100 calories
- 200-300 mg sodium
Leaving the entree unheated avoids the extra calories and sodium from the heater. However, heating it makes the meal more palatable and helps morale in the field.
Total Meal Calories
While the entree contains the bulk of calories, the additional sides, snacks, desserts, and spreads add several hundred extra calories to each MRE. Crackers, breads, nuts, chips, and cookies all provide extra calories and carbs. An accessory packet of candy like Skittles, M&Ms, or Tootsie Rolls also adds quick calories.
Here are some typical calorie counts for MRE side items:
- Crackers – 360 calories
- Bread – 250 calories
- Apple sauce – 180 calories
- Cookies – 440 calories
- Candy – 250 calories
- Nuts/Trail mix – 220 calories
When all the contents are eaten, a full MRE provides around 1,500-1,800 calories total. This meets or exceeds the daily calorie needs of most soldiers. Consuming all the crackers, breads, sweets and snacks ensures you get the most calories out of each meal.
Conclusions
To maximize calories, go for MRE options with heavy pasta or bean dishes like the chili, meatballs in marinara, or chicken pesto pasta. Female soldiers can meet calorie needs with around 1,200 calories, while male soldiers need 1,500 calories or more. Using the flameless ration heater adds an extra 60-100 calories. Finally, eating all the sides, snacks, and desserts as well as the entree ensures you get the full calorie content from each MRE.
