Exploring the Nutritional Value of Freeze Dried Meals

The Concept of Freeze-Drying

Freeze-drying, also called lyophilisation, is a type of food preservation that retains nutritional value and flavour so how does it work?

The Process of Freeze-Drying

This three-step process first involves freezing the food, then dramatically lowering the ambient pressure so that the water in the food that has frozen can sublimate directly from the solid to the gas phase, and finally packing it in moisture and oxygen-impervious packaging so that it will not go bad for a year or more.

Why Opt for Freeze-Dried Meals?

Portability and Convenience

Frozen-dried grubs are light, easy to carry and quick to prepare – usually a matter of hot water and a few minutes waiting for the grubs to hydrate themselves. I mean wow, I can put a multi-course meal in my pack.

Shelf Life

These meals can stay preserved for decades – sometimes for 25 years or more. They therefore become ideal tools for emergencies, and even longer-term planning. Imagine the reassurance you would feel knowing your food supply is taken care of!

Nutritional Retention

Because the food is freeze-dried, most of the nutrition remains intact, but without the harmful effects of other preservation methods. Apple pie, without the harm – how convenient!

Comparing Freeze-Dried Meals with Other Preservation Methods

Dehydration

In contrast to freeze-drying, which removes 98 per cent of the water content, dehydration takes out only around 90 per cent, resulting in a drastically reduced shelf life. So do dehydrated foods lose vital nutrients – not to mention flavour?

Canning

All a canning regime does is preserve food of which the taste and nutritional qualities have often been diminished by the heat to which they were subjected. Haven’t we all grown to prefer food as close to the fresh state as possible?

Nutritional Comparisons

When it comes to preservation that maintains nutritional value, freeze-dried meals usually have the highest percentage of their nutrition remaining than any other form of preservation. Are you amazed that your preserved meal is so similar to nutritionally fresh food?

How to Rehydrate Your Freeze-Dried Meals

Methods of Rehydration

And then they’re ready to be rehydrated — just add hot water, then wait a few minutes. Does food prep get any easier than this?

Things to Keep in Mind

When rehydrating, please read label instructions carefully. Meal ready to eat.

Can Freeze-Dried Meals be Healthy Meals?

Ingredients and Nutritional Analysis

You can make super-healthful meals out of the stuff, depending on what goes into the meal and how much. You’re essentially carrying around a dietitian on your back.

Making Healthier Choices

Choosing a meal based on whole grains, lean proteins, and vegetables is just going for a good, well-balanced meal.You see how diverse the meals in freeze-dried rations can be?

Portable Food Warmers: An Ally of Freeze-Dried Meals

How They Work

With amazing little portable food warmers, your meals are heated up anywhere, anytime you want. Hot meal in the middle of the woods? Wasn't expecting that.

Why They Complement Freeze-Dried Meals

They are the ideal companion for dehydrated meals, giving you a hot and nutritious meal anywhere you go. Who’s in for the next camping trip?

Conclusion

Freeze-dried meals are a great innovation, especially because they are easy to use, nutritious, convenient and long-lasting. You just have to drop the quality a bit and tolerate a few defects if you like them. This is by far more acceptable than to drop the quality substantially and not tolerate any defects. You can carry nutritious, long-lasting and tasty foods with you on expeditions or produce them whenever possible after a catastrophe. You will not starve and possibly do not even have to kill animals. Even the busy person such as me doesn’t have to eat all his meals over the kitchen sink because he can simply heat up the white plastic dishes by using a portable food warmer – I mean that new kind. You are somewhere and it’s noon, tea or dinner time – you have your meal ready anytime, anywhere. You are perfectly satiated, you put it back into the box without washing it any longer, and maybe six months later you will heat it up again.

FAQs

1. Are freeze-dried meals healthy?

It depends – on the ingredients and how they’re portioned. Always check the nutritional information.

2. What is the shelf life of a freeze-dried meal?

If stored correctly, they will last for 25 years and more.

3. What is the best way to rehydrate a dehydrated or freeze-dried meal?

You can add boiling water, wait about five minutes for the starch to absorb the water properly, and then stir your tasty dinner! (All meals include instructions.)

4. Freeze-dried dinners can lose their taste over time, can’t they?

No, retention of original taste and aroma is one of the biggest benefits of freeze-dried food.

5. Can I use a portable food warmer with freeze-dried meals?

Sure. A portable food warmer is a great companion to a freeze-dried meal, especially when travelling.