THE MODERN DAY MRE – OPTIMAL NUTRITION IN ONE MINUTE OR LESS

Before you read this – know that this post is promoting a product…but I am doing it for a good reason…because I think you could benefit from knowing about it. IMO it is a no-brainer way to improve your nutrition and training.

For years I’ve been searching for a modern-day, healthy version of the MRE (meal, ready-to-eat) that I used as a Navy SEAL. The bottom line is that I often miss one or two meals a day due to my busy schedule, though I endeavor to maintain my 80/20 Paleo fueling plan. So I  supplement and snack a lot. I find a lot of my peers are in the same boat. So I have always been in search for a good meal replacement to supplement my busy life. The problem is I have never found anything that resembled real food with complete nutrition. What exists are partial and do not cover the full spectrum of macro (protein, carbs and fat in proper amounts) and micronutrient needs. The options on the market are protein powders or carb snack bars that will give you a boost and keep you alive longer (the good ones anyhow), but you wouldn’t rely on them for a meal replacement on the go. There are a couple meal replacement options such as Soylent that I have tried, but the ingredients make me cringe. So I have pined for an optimal grab and go fuel source that would taste good, hydrate me and be a complete, nutritional meal made from ingredients usually found in a salad bar. I figured it was a fantasy.

 

Not anymore. I guess it was inevitable that an aspiring entrepreneur would identify this same gap I had, and fill it. That entrepreneur sent me some samples out of the blue, and I was immediately onboard.

Connor Young is a former CrossFit gym owner turned entrepreneur who saw years of hard work, training, and nutrition research compromised by his own busy lifestyle when he moved to San Francisco in 2014. So he decided to solve the problem for himself and his co-workers, coming up with Ample Meals. Connor and I connected after he sent me the samples and we agreed that the MREs really needed a facelift. Operators have a love-hate relationship with the MRE (Meal, Ready to Eat in milspeak). We have used MRE’s at SEALFIT (many of you reading this remember fondly I bet!) but it is more about mental toughness than nutrition when we use them. I was stoked to hear that Conner was coming up with a new product to replace what hasn’t changed in years. The only benefit of the MRE over Ample is the sheer caloric count – 3,000 vs. 400 or 600 for an Ample Meal. But the fat content of the ketogenic version should make up for the carb calorie count of the MRE. More on that in future posts.

 

Conner launched a successful crowdfunding campaign, which is one of the most successful food campaigns in the Indiegogo platform. I like the product so much that I purchased a lifetime supply in the campaign, where the prices are deeply discounted to help with start-up funding.

Here are a few unique characteristics of Ample::

• Unlike other products, Ample focuses on using all whole foods ingredients and isn’t looking to replace real meals (if you didn’t know, MREs were previously designed to only be consumed for a maximum of twenty-one days).
• There are no surprises about what is in Ample; the company is dedicated to open-sourcing the manufacturing process, educating the public about healthy lifestyles, and “leveling up” the entire food industry.
• It is optimal not only for extreme athletes or military, but for the rest of us working to become SEALFIT as well.
• There will be different formulas for different life and training purposes – such as Ample X: Whey/collagen free for lactose-intolerant people, Ample K: Ketogenic version and Ample C: Higher carb version for post-workout or high-carb athletes

So far, over 750 people have supported Ample, ranging from my friend Coach Burgener and a host of other fitness coaches, online personalities, startup leaders and first responders.

If you are interested I recommend you check out their research and learn more while they are still live on Indiegogo. They are the “real deal” and I’m excited to see where Connor and his team go as they look to not only create a new “MRE” but also as they take on the food industry.

Hooyah! –Coach Divine

P.S. Click HERE to pre-order Ample on Indiegogo BEFORE June 8 to get their special pricing during their current crowdfunding campaign. If you find this after June 8, you will still be able to pre-order Ample at retail price via their website amplemeal.com.