A soldiers spoons out chili-mac to feed soldiers in a tent in the Saudi desert.
A soldiers spoons out chili-mac to feed soldiers in a tent in the Saudi desert.
  • Soldiers used to have limited options when it came to meal choices during their service.
  • They either eat at dining facilities or if they are in the field, they eat vacuum-packed meals called MREs.
  • Most countries tend to provide some local flavors or foods for their soldiers in the MREs.

Since the 1980s, armies have worked to improve the way they feed their soldiers. 

Around the world, most armies make sure their vacuum-sealed field rations come with at least a few traditional foods that soldiers are familiar with to help boost morale.