If you're used to a strict diet, you might not be so keen on the idea of any non-perishable food from a bag. However, there are a number of situations where ready-made food can really come in handy. Whether it's a few days in the countryside or just travelling down the motorway when you don't want to eat in a...a ready-made meal can come in handy. But which companies are the best? Which ready meals are recommended and which are best avoided? And what to look out for? That's what we'll look at in this comparison of the best ready meals.
7 best ready meals
| Ranking | Image | Product | Main advantages | Price | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |
|
Adventure Menu | Huge number of options, Good taste, Sophisticated preparation | $188,00 | Best price More information |
| 2. |
|
Expres Menu | A range of interesting dishes, Good taste, Honest ingredients | $159,00 | Best price More information |
| 3. |
|
Leader Outdoor | Tasty dishes, Just pour water over it, Good composition | $157,00 | Best price More information |
| 4. |
|
FIT GymBeam | Ready to eat, Good composition, Super taste | $129,00 | Best price More information |
| 5. |
|
Polévky AUGA | Tasty soups, Good ingredients, Perfectly filling | $79,00 | Best price More information |
| 6. |
|
Adventure Food | Interesting recipes, Good taste, Honest ingredients | $158,00 | Best price More information |
| 7. |
|
Redcon1 MRE | Liquid food, No reheating required, Easy preparation | $1.789,00 | Best price More information |
Detailed analysis of the best meals on the go
1. Adventure Menu
Adventure Menu offers a huge variety of products for all occasions. For multi-day hikes you can take the extra lightweight Lightweight packs, and when time is short you'll appreciate their Ready To Eat variants ShowHowever, you can choose from a wide variety of different meals that offer very good ingredients and surprisingly good taste. And thanks to their warming capsule, you can prepare your food absolutely anywhere and all you need is a little drinking water.
Benefits:
- Huge variety of meals
- Choose from lightweight to ready to eat products
- Surprisingly good taste
- Vegetarian and vegan food is also available
Disadvantages:
- We didn't find anything
Who makes the products:
Adventure Menu has been in business since 2010, when it was born out of a desire for really good food that could be enjoyed anywhere. Today, it produces a range of great meals that are always based on 100% natural ingredients - including, for example, meat and vegetables from local suppliers. Every dish on their menu is cooked by them and then either sterilised or vacuum dried. depending on the final weight and the required cooking time of the particular dish.
What we think of the menu:
The Adventure Menu offers a really wide variety of different dishes and we can't rate their menu anything but positively. Whether you opt for the ultra-light lightweight options designed for, say, a multi-day adventure, or the easy-to-carryYou always have a huge variety of nutritionally valuable meals to choose from. As we like a lot of variety in our food, we must of course appreciate that on the official website of theOn the retailer's official websites you can also find several completely vegan dishes as well as a number of gluten, egg or lactose-free dishes. Those of you travelling with children will appreciate that there are also children's meals on the menu, including Mac & Cheese or Chicken Paprika, for example.
Final review:
Great choice of food, sophisticated composition of each dish, very good taste and a range of meat-free, gluten-free and egg-freecombined with a very pleasant price makes Adventure Menu's meals a really great companion for all your long hikes. We can only recommend them.
2. Expres Menu
In addition to the Adventure Menu, the basically quite similar Express Menu is undoubtedly worth mentioning at the top of this ranking. In the case of this company, which, incidentally, has been operating since 1999, you can look forward to a wide range of quality disheswhich, thanks to the patented CTP preservation method, can be stored for a long time even at room temperature. And when this is combined with the good taste of the resulting dishes and the pleasant price, you get without a doubt one of the best choices for ready-made hiking meals.
Pros:
- Honest ingredients
- Two-portion and one-portion meals
- Wide assortment
- Good taste
- Very nice price
Disadvantages:
- More limited range of vegan products
Who makes the products:
The man behind Expres Menu is Petr Sogel, who founded his company in 1999 and today it is a company in which his children and grandchildren, among others, are involved. Their children and children's children and children's children, and their children's children and children's children's children, use proven suppliers to produce their food, who have quality products without unnecessary preservatives - and after they cook the food, they use their patented CTP method (Continuous Thermal Process), they preserve it without the need for freezing or the addition of ethers so that it lasts a really long time even at room temperature. So if you're looking for products without compromise, Expres Menu could be one of your great choices.
What we think of the menu:
Expres Menu's products have great ingredients and you'll probably be able to find your favourite just by taking a quick glance at their range. The meals are high quality, honest and tasty at the same time, so you'll really appreciate them not only on long hikes, but actually anywhere. A slight drawback is the very limited range for people who don't eat like omnivores - for example, there are only two dishes for vegansfor vegans, one of which is Ratatouille, which is completely vegetable-based and has only 1.4 grams of protein per 100 grams, which is definitely not ideal after a full day of sports.
Final assessment:
If you don't have any dietary restrictions, you can definitely make your choice from the Express Menu without any problems. What's more, we even dare to say that you will enjoy their meals and get a lot of quality nutrients in you. We also have to appreciate the presence of single and double portion meals, which will be appreciated by either a dedicatedor those of you who are travelling with a partner with the same taste preferences, for example. The only drawback thus remains the very limited offer for vegetarians and vegans.
3. Leader Outdoor
Our comparison of the best ready meals must not miss the products from the Leader Outdoor range, which come from the repertoire of the Finnish company Leader. In addition to supplements, the company also produces several different interesting ready meals for hiking, trekking and general outdoor activities. And we have to highlight their great ingredients, surprisingly good taste and a selection of not-so-traditional foods.
Pros:
- A range of non-traditional dishes
- Good taste
- Easy to prepare
- Honest ingredients
Disadvantages:
- Severely limited menu
Who makes the products:
Finnish sports supplement brand Leader is behind these products, which have been around since 2001 and have even become a partner of the Finnish Olympic team and hockey team due to their uncompromising ingredients. In the supplements, as well as in the ready-to-eat meals, you will find only first-class ingredients and thanks to this you can definitely rely on products from this brand.
What we think of the range:
Since Leader isn't primarily a ready-to-eat manufacturer, of course its offerings aren't nearly as broad as those of other companies. On the other hand, it does offer a number of rather interesting products, including, for example, the vegan Chilli sin carne or the popular pasta carbonara with a fair portion of bacon. So you have a whole range of options, and all the products in their repertoire have a good taste, a hilarious ingredients and easy preparation, just pour hot water over the products and you're ready in no time.
Final assessment:
Good ingredients, pleasant taste and easy preparation make the products from the Leaders brand an indispensable part of this ranking. Despite this, however, the relatively limited range makes it very difficult to compare with companies that specialise in ready meals.
4. FIT GymBeam
In our ranking of the best ready meals, we must not miss FIT meals from knownmy company GymBeam, which makes a huge range of sports supplements. This time, rather than meals for a hike, these are products that will be appreciated by all fitness enthusiasts who, for example, can't make it through a day cook and need a meal that can be heated up in a microwave or pan in a matter of moments and get a tasty and balanced portion of protein, carbohydrates, fats and many micronutrients.
Benefits:
- Good ingredients
- For fitness enthusiasts
- Great taste
- Easy to prepare
Disadvantages:
- Slightly impractical packaging
- More limited menu
- Microwave or pan preparation
Who makes the products:
The popular company behind these products is GymBeam, which we believe needs no introduction. Although they can produce some very good ready meals, their primary focus is on supplements and healthy eating, and we have already covered their products in detail, for example in our big test of GymBeam proteins or in our review of their product Thor Vitargo.
What we think of the range:
GymBeam's ready meal range includes a total of 4 meals, each of which is a chickenOnce with pasta, the second with Asian-style rice and the third with curry. Although you probably won't take this product on a hike, due to the good ingredients and the very practical preparation, which is just a matter of heating it up in the microwave or in a frying pan, it can be a great helper in situations where you simply and easilyYou don't have time to cook your own food and still need a good portion of protein.
Final assessment:
GymBeam's ready meals offer good ingredients, a relatively convenientGymMeal offers a good value for money and easy preparation, so you can enjoy a good meal in minutes. Although ideally, we would of course appreciate a wider range of meals and three different types of meals in just a few minutes.For a supplement maker, this is a more than adequate range to start with. So if you're looking for meals that can wait at room temperature for a day when you won't be in the shadehat and just want to heat up a quality meal in a jiffy, the GymBeam FIT may be a great choice.
5. Polévky AUGA
Of course, products from Auga, which focuses primarily on soups, must not be missing from our ranking. But these are thick and often made from organic ingredients. In addition, due to the absence of preservatives, honest ingredients and the possibility of immediate consumption, all soupsfrom the brand's repertoire are perfectly filling even on demanding hikes or anywhere else. Don't believe it? Try them and you'll see that you won't be disappointed.
Pros:
- Great formulation
- Reliably filling
- Designed for immediate consumption
- Organic vegan ingredients (some variants)
- Pleasant price
Disadvantages:
- Limited selection
- Soup does not replace the main course for larger eaters
Who makes the products:
Auga is a Lithuanian-origin food brand that is one of Europe's largest organic food producers. Despite this size, however, they produce all of their food on their own farm and place a huge emphasis on sustainability and innovation. While keeping prices relatively low, they have managed to produce vegetables, mushrooms, soups, as well as dairy products of TOP quality.
What we think of the offer:
We think Auga's soups are absolutely great. You can usually get them for about 50 to 80 crowns, but they have a great satiating effect. You can choose from a really large number of different options, and many of the products are vegan, so you don't have to worry about going hungry because you don't want to eat animal products. You can choose from classic and tried-and-tested variants such as carrot or pumpkinto lesser-known versions such as sauerkraut soup or curry soup.
Final assessment:
Great products at very reasonable prices. That's exactly what Auga products are. Since a single serving usually weighs 400 grams, smaller eaters can definitely be satisfied with just the soup. However, if you've had an extremely strenuous activity and are extremely hungry, soup won't necessarily be enough. This should be kept in mind when buying, but otherwise we definitely recommend Auga products.
6. Adventure Food
A wide variety of dishes, easy preparation and great nutritional values combined with good taste. These are the products of the Dutch brand Adventure Food, which produces great meals for all adventurers. Whichever product you choose, just pour hot water over it as standard and you'll have a delicious portion ready in no time.
Benefits:
- Good ingredients
- Pleasant taste
- Good price
- Many interesting recipes
Disadvantages:
- Fewer vegan options
Who makes the products:
Behind these products is the Dutch brand Adventure Food, which may not be as well known in this country as some of its competitors, but it definitely has something to offer. The company's nutritionally balanced meals are suitable for tough trekking, but also for casualYou can prepare a delicious Adventure Food meal every time with the help of warm water. In addition to classic dishes, you will also find a variety of interesting desserts on their menu.
What we think of the menu:
Adventure Food's menu is so wide that there is something for everyone. You can find both relatively basic dishes like scrambled eggs and more complicated ones. including, for example, dishes containing fish, which is not exactly typical. The offer for vegans is again quite limited, which is the only negative of this brand's products in our opinion.
Final assessment:
In conclusion, if it wasn't for the relatively limited vegan offerproducts, the Adventure Food brand could have finished a little better in our ranking. Nevertheless, vegans can still enjoy several interesting dishes, as well as meat eaters who will be pleased with the wide range.
7. Redcon1 MRE
Although looking at the box of MREs, it may appear to be a conventional supplement (and thus we would notwe could mention protein in this list), the composition of this product may convince you otherwise. It is made up of 6 different protein sources (including salmon, chicken, beef, beef, etc.).pea protein) combined with oat flour, sweet potato powder and pea starch. And when you add a range of vitamins, dried fruits and other ingredients, you get a product that can definitely serve as a meal replacement.
Benefits:
- You can prepare the product easily and really anywhere
- Relatively good taste
- You can drink it while driving or walking
Disadvantages:
- Doesn't satisfy as much as complex solid foods
Who makes MREs:
This popular product, which by the way you may have already come across in our ranking of the best gainers, is made by the American company Redcon1. It offers a huge range of different supplements from great pre-workouts to various meal replacements. And although it stands a bit in the shadow of established brands here, in the United States, where the company originates, it is really popular among athletes.
How we rate the ingredients:
In terms of ingredients, MRE is a fairly complex product that contains a variety of ingredients that you might not quite expect to find in it at first glance. However, it does contain quite a bit of complex carbohydrates represented by oat flour, sweet potato powder and pea starch, as well as containing a relatively good amount of protein. In case you use one 130g serving as recommended by the manufacturer, you can look forward to a solid 510 kilocalories, which is a really goodIt's a hefty serving and as a small snack before the main meal of the day, for example, it can definitely come in handy on a day's march.
Dosage and preparation:
The preparation and dosing of MREs is without a doubt one of the main benefits of this product. Unlike ready meals, you don't have to heat them up, wait for several minutes or anything like that. Simply mix (ideally in a shaker) 130 grams of the product with your preferred amount of water (chosen amount depends primarily on how sweet and thick you want your drink to be) and enjoy it. You can manage to drink it while driving or walking, and it's such a much more convenient calorie replenishment option than a solid diet.
Final assessment:
MRE is a supplement that definitely makes sense from our perspective, and not just for hiking, for example. It's easy to prepare, you can drink it on the go, and it contains quite a few calories, which of course come from quality sources. Taste-wise, MRE is not a miracle, but on the other hand, it should be noted that due to the unusual contents of theIt is actually still quite passable and you can drink it without any problems. On the other hand, you have to take into account that the satiating effect of the complex warmingcan be considerably greater than that of a simple drink. Nevertheless, we definitely recommend it as a snack, for example during the aforementioned hiking.
What is a ready meal and how is it made?
If you, as a complete layman, look at ready-made meals, such as fillet of sirloin in cream in a bag, in which it lasts as long as ahow many years, you might think that such food must be heavily preserved and can have nothing to do with a healthy diet. In reality, however, you would be mistaken, as well-established companies such as Adventure Menu and Express Menu have actually invested quite a bit of money into preserving food without unnecessary artificial additives.
The former, for example, uses a specific sterilisersterilization technology, where the food is filled into individual bags while still hot and under high pressure are first heated rapidly and then shock-cooledwhich ensures a really long shelf life of their products even without the use of preservatives.
The latter company relies on its own patented process called the CTP method (the abbreviation is based on the designation for the Continuous Thermal Process method) and as a result they also achieve that their products are durable without unnecessary extra additives.
What are the benefits of ready-to-eat food?
In case you've ever decided to take a longer hike, we probably don't need to explain to you the benefits of already prepared food. Apart from the fact that it won't spoil even after days or weeks in your backpack, the unquestionable advantage is the very quick preparation, the possibility to prepare it You don't even need hot water to prepare some dishes, just cold water. Ready meals allow you to enjoy a tasty meal even in situations where you don't have the opportunity to cook or go to a restaurant.
How to heat up your food?
When heating food, we recommend following the advice provided by the manufacturer of the appliance.on the product packaging, as each meal is different and each requires slightly different preparation. Some foods are heated whole in a water bath, for example, if you are notwhere you can afford to make a fire, some can be heated, e.g. There are also special pouches for self-heating, so it is up to you and your possibilities which way you decide to prefer.
