I mostly have MRE's. Just because they pack nicely. I have freeze dried meals, but they are bukly because of the air space needed in the pouches for reconstitution. Were I to go backpacking though, I would use the freeze dried meals after opening them and compressing the air out of the packages. They are lighter than MRE's. As someone mentioned earlier, I also have triox tabs and stoves to heat up water for coffee. (gotta have it in the morning) Other than that I do have salt and pepper and the little tabasco sauces that come with some MRE's. Just my two cents, both taken by the government.

Charles