To answer the question: 5 edible but I have as of yet to get a real craving for them when regular food is available.

After a day or two of eating only MRE’s it seems like you are constantly belching MRE and they all belch as the same flavor.

I love them for supplementing dehydrated food on pack trips. I have found that it is best to open the main packages and get rid of all of the unwanted extras. Spoon, Creamer (don’t use it), little T.P. packets etc. The main packages are sealed full of air so they tend to take up about twice the space that they really need to. I am guessing the air is there for cushioning during shipping. Or maybe it is something other than just air to prolong shelf life. At any rate break em down they take less space and you aren’t carrying junk you don’t need. Unless you’re the type that insists on a “fresh” spoon for every meal.

Cameron