MRE's are actually rather heavy, and I don't rely on them for food when weight is a concern. I squirrel away Clif bars, Tanka bars (jerked buffalo and cranberries - essentially pemmican), turkey jerky, tea bags, and sugar packets into my packs and kits, since they can last almost indefinitely.
When I have time, I will add nuts, cheeses, and simple pasta dishes like mac and cheese, or couscous. I occasionally use freeze dried items, but they are awfully expensive, and hardly necessary.
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Geezer in Chief