?I also PERSONALLY feel that food items in a survival kit *generally* take up room and weight better used for other things.?

A very well-reasoned objection. And I agree a hat is more valuable than power bars. But there?s no reason that you can?t have both if you want. It?s your kit after all. (A teddy bear though?)

I don?t know anything about sugar addiction. I rarely use the refined stuff myself. Now steaks and beer, on the other hand..... <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

While putting together my current wilderness kit I made sure that I had just enough room left over in it for 4 boullion cubes and 2 decaf coffee bags. Nutritional value= zero. The coffee might cheer me up and the boullion might make the squirrel more palatable. But the bottom line is, either one will be easier to consume than plain hot water?especially if I?m huddling under my space blanket, in a sleet storm, with a broken ankle.

Cheers, Vince