Are Freeze Dried Foods a Good Option?

Many individuals swear by the compact nature of freeze dried foods, especially those who are required to carry their meals long distances. While the space saving aspect of the freeze dried food is a plus, they tend to be more expensive than canned, fresh, or dehydrated food. This brings us to the question at hand: are freeze dried foods a good option for camping?

Advantages of Freeze Dried Food

The greatest advantage to packing an array of freeze dried meals is the weight; by simply adding water or boiling the meals, you’ve got food at your disposal without cumbersome cans or packaging and they are ready to go when you are. Freeze dried food has a long shelf life, so if you decide not to eat any of the meals during camping season, they will likely be good to go next year. Freeze dried foods take up about one fifth of the space as canned or fresh foods, so the weight and small amount of space that freeze dried foods take up are some of the largest advantages.

Despite what the appearance may tell you, fresh ingredients are used in freeze dried food, so there is a good amount of nutrition in them. After reconstitution, freeze dried foods also maintain much of the taste one would find in a fresh cooked meal. This isn’t always the case, but for the most part freeze dried foods are both good tasting and nutritious. Most foods can be freeze dried successfully, and they are different than dehydrated foods. Usually the difference in these vacuum sealed freeze dried food is that they look and taste like the real thing. Convenience is another factor with freeze dried food because they are pre-cooked and only require heating and re hydration in order to be restored to their original form. They can even be eaten without adding water in a pinch.

Disadvantages of Freeze Dried Food

The main disadvantage to buying freeze dried food is the price. Comparable to what you would pay for the same meal in a restaurant, freeze dried fruits and other meals are not cheap. Feeding an entire family with freeze dried foods can get quite pricey, especially if you have hungry teens to think about. Dehydrated foods can be prepared easily or purchased at about half the price as freeze dried foods. For those who aren’t too concerned with having a real meal after a long day of camping, dehydrated foods are fine. It’s all about how you enjoy camping. If you’re the kind of person that prefers a piping hot meal that actually looks and tastes like food, freeze dried food is the way to go. For those on a budget and that are willing to sacrifice a bit of taste for the sake of saving money, tinned or dehydrated food will work just fine.

Freeze Dried Foods