In fairness, though, we’re talking survival rations, not filet mignon.
I used to do alot of hiking in the cascades and a buddy gave me one of his survival granola bar things. So I’m sitting about 2700 feet up and I try to eat this thing, hell, rabbit pellets imbedded in cardboard would have been better!
But it was enough to keep you alive.
With a nasty aftertaste maybe, but alive!
A few months ago, Wal-Mart cleared out some of the Mountain House meals. Even at half price they were not cheap but that did make them at least reasonable. I bought a dozen or maybe a few more and intended to save them for emergencies.
They ended up tasting so good that I just ate them. Actually better than your average meal.
I can get by on a civil war ration and gleaning. But I have years of training in fine dining kitchens where miracles are expected.
The important part is to identify the time you expect to be on the rations and plan accordingly.
1 day? Nothing, you won't starve if you are normally healthy. If you have special needs, have your doctor recommend something.
3 days? One MRE per person per day. Or the equivalent in other portable, storable rations.
A week? 3 days of storable, portable rations like MREs and lots of other stuff.
6 months? A knife, a .22 with ammo, string, and experience unless you have a logistics tail.
/johnny