I was always pretty "not-picky" when it came to C-rations, MCIs, and MREs. It was food, I was hungry, and I rarely disliked anything. Beef w/ spiced sauce being about the only notable exception. Even that was doable when heated and drowned in hot sauce.
My favorite canned C-ration/MCI entree was chopped ham and eggs, almost universally reviled. People would give away that item and not even expect a trade. I loved it. I'd eat that stuff cold, especially during hot weather. Same with most MRE entees. I found them to be pretty good, even when I had to eat them for long periods of time.
I could have lived forever on dry pork or beef patties from the early MREs. Naturally, they dropped those items because they were my favorites.
To this day, I like MREs for the pre-packaged utility and convenience. They have enough flavor, varieties, and items to make for a decent meal... and the calculated calories and nutrition to keep you going. There's no guessing involved. Multi-million dollar food labs have already figured that out for you. 2 per day keep you functionally in the game for most scenarios involving moderate work/hiking. Increase to 3 per day when it's winter time or you are really busting your hump.
It was never designed as ultralight through hiking food, but the menu selections are, by and large, designed to appeal to most palates. Especially when you are actually, truly hungry.
I was an Infantryman. I learned to sleep anywhere, on demand. Eat whatever was available. And to cherish overhead cover, free vehicle rides, and dry feet.
Military combat rations are OK in my book.
o they ever figure out that it is not a napkin?
