The Spanish and Portuguese were some of the first European states to launch overseas voyages of exploration. There were several factors that led to the Iberian place in the forefront of global exploration.

Along with technological, economic, and political factors, the Christian faith greatly influenced the European Age of Exploration (15th century to 18th century). The Catholic Church started a major effort to spread Christianity around the world. Spiritual motivations also justified European conquests of foreign lands.

Roman Catholicism

The European countries wanted to spread Christianity throughout the world to everyone. Many Europeans were sailing to places all around the world, and they brought with them catholic missionaries to help spread Christianity.

Barley, oats and rye were eaten by the poor. Wheat was for the governing classes. These were consumed as bread, porridge, gruel and pasta by all of society’s members. Fava beans and vegetables were important supplements to the cereal-based diet of the lower orders.

The food quite often consisted of heavily salted meat of very low quality, which had been stored in barrels. Biscuits were not sweet as they are regarded today, but instead consisted mostly of wholemeal flour, salt and water.

Many a sailor ate salted meats, breads, oats, citrus (packed with scurvy-preventing Vitamin C), and the famous rum ration, almost all of which was stored in wooden barrels.

The C-Ration, or Field Ration, Type C, was a prepared and canned wet combat ration intended to be issued to U.S. military land forces when fresh food (A-ration) or packaged unprepared food (B-ration) prepared in mess halls or field kitchens was not possible or not available, and when a survival ration (K-ration or D- …

At first, the meals were stews, and more varieties were added as the war went on, including meat and spaghetti in tomato sauce, chopped ham, eggs and potatoes, meat and noodles, pork and beans; ham and lima beans, and chicken and vegetables.

Soldiers can choose from up to 24 entrees, and more than an additional 150 items in the MRE chain. MREs must be capable of withstanding parachute drops from 1,250 feet, and non-parachute drops of 100 feet.

A superstition exists among troops about the Charms candies that come with some menus: they are considered bad luck, especially if actually eaten. Some attribute this to a case of a dislike becoming a superstition (i.e., not eating them ‘just in case’ or because it might make one’s comrades uneasy).

“We found that the MRE does not increase gut leakiness, does not appear to negatively impact gut health, and has only subtle effects on the gut microbiome in people eating the MRE while going about their normal daily lives.”

Logistically, the soldiers will carry all of their food. But that’s still enough rations to fill an entire ruck with nothing but food. And most First Strike Rations were optimized for a three-day mission set, Moody said.