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DEHYDRATED FOOD

GOOD OR BAD FOR SURVIVAL
Our Armed Forces have to fight under varied • Soup mixes made of dehydrated onions,
environmental conditions ranging from the hot- carrots, mushrooms, and other vegetables
humid arid zones and hot-dry deserts to high altitudes • Herbs dehydrated for a longer shelf life
and sub-zero temperatures and their successful • Homemade potato, kale, banana, beets, and
functioning depends to a great extent on the food apple chips
supplied to keep up the morale and operational • Powdered lemon, lime, or orange peel used in
efficiency of the troops. Diverse feeding situations, teas, alcoholic beverages, and other recipes.
each with a specific operational requirement,
are imposed by the modern land, river and air You can dehydrate your own fruits,
operations demanding great logistic flexibility. The vegetables, herbs, and even meat in an oven or food
food requirements of Defence services are therefore dehydrator. Many dehydrated foods are available in
different from those of civil both as regards the types stores as well, though watch out for added ingredients
of foods supplied and their packaging. It must have like sodium, sugar or oils. The dehydrating process
reduced weight, be compact and convenient to carry retains a food’s original nutritional value. For example,
on person without prejudice to other essential arms apple chips will have the same calorie, protein, fat,
and ammunition, be ready-to-eat or require minimum carbohydrate, fiber, and sugar content as the fresh
of preparation under operational conditions and be fruit.
nutritionally adequate to sustain the troops during Potential Health Benefits of Dehydrated Food
heavy stresses of prolonged activity. Besides having Dehydrating food can save you money,
variety, acceptability and familiarity, it should have reduce food waste, and speed up your cooking. You
stability to withstand varied climatic conditions can also add seasoning or spices to food as you dry
and transportation hazards and have indigenous it, stocking your kitchen with healthy, easily portable
manufacturing feasibility. To meet these requirements, snacks. However, because dried food loses its water
a number of instant and ready-to-eat foods and content, it’s usually smaller in size and has more
emergency survival rations were developed through calories by weight. Keep your portions of dehydrated
various means of Food preservation techniques. Due foods smaller than what’s recommended for the
to the several logistic advantages associated with unprocessed food to avoid overeating. Research
dehydrated foods, dehydration of foods for defence suggests that dehydrated foods may have other benefits,
needs still continues to be of strategic importance including: Reduced Risk of Cancer: Dried
over other methods of food preservation. fruits and vegetables could play a role in reducing the
Dehydration is one of the oldest risk of some cancers, including pancreatic, stomach,
methods of preserving food. While our ancestors bladder, and prostate. While research is on going,
relied on the sun to dry food, today we have scientists think the drying process activates chemicals
commercial equipment and home appliances that in foods that help to prevent cell damage linked to
can remove bacteria-forming moisture. This process cancer.
preserves food for much longer than its ordinary shelf Improved Digestion: Studies show that
life.Dehydrated foods can be a healthier alternative dehydration increases the fiber content in fruits and
to many snacks, and you can add them to salads, vegetables. Dietary fiber is essential to maintaining
oatmeal, baked goods, and smoothies. Because they your digestive system, and getting enough in your diet
rehydrate in liquid, they’re also easy to use in recipes. can prevent constipation, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and
Almost anything can be dehydrated. potentially colorectal cancer.
Some common food items made with dehydration Increased Energy: Because the
include: dehydration process concentrates calorie and sugar
• Fruit leather made from apples, berries, dates, content, dried foods can offer a more effective energy
and other fruits. boost than other snacks. Research shows that nutrients
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