For longterm carry I simply pack a unit or two of MAINSTAY survival rations. Another good one is DATEX. You have 9 blocks for 3 meals a day for 3 days . These rations provide an base caloric intake without requiring to much water for digestion. For shorterm I pack one of the most dietary complete and traditional survival foods ever devised- fruitcake. There are cogent arguments for all manner of eating timetables. If your in an already stressfull situation, possibly with others of less outdoors experience food is a powerfull placebo. Serving up 'breakfast,lunch and dinner,' even if it's a block of survival cake and a cup of tea is a powerfull tool to establish a little stability.
Fruitcake - now that brings back memories. When I was in my teens, my mother would make me a huge fruitcake when I was off backpacking. Weighed a ton! I carried cartons of Byrd's custard as well. And chocolate. And smoked sausages. I could eat well for a week out of my sack before needing to find civilisation; a *very* difficult thing in Scotland (ducks and runs...). As my trek progressed, you would think my load would lighten. Unfortunately, I was into geology and usually replaced the eaten cake with rock samples.
As to when to eat, I have read a lot over the years that recommends an evening meal as a moral booster, especially if with others. I don't know if this would really have much effect on me in a survival situation; I tend to just get on with things and moral doesn't come into it. I can see the group aspect though, especially if with non-survival types. I certainly sleep a little better with a light supper inside me; carbohydrates (easy to digest) are supposed to be best here.
As a fitness and bodybuilding instructor, I was taught that breakfast is the most important meal to your body, and can certainly attest to my own lack of energy if I miss breakfast. I get headaches and start to feel sick and weak by lunch time if I'm working hard. I would certainly try to eat a little for breakfast, even if just planning to sit and wait for rescue.
As others have mentioned, water is far more critical and what you eat should be moderated by the water available. It takes at least twice as much water to digest proteins (like those tasty survival favourite, worms) and fats as it does for carbohydrates. Once you run out of water, don't eat the meat! Better to eat nothing for a few days than to use your body's precious water reserves digesting relatively un-needed proteins. Time to turn veggie and eat what the rabbits eat.
That's my theory on the matter, for what it's worth.
Rick.
So even though I have a problem with low blood sugar like mentioned above, my body is more out of wack if I eat a breakfast then if I skip it. I guess I would choose to eat a late lunch or nibbles here and there if I get the shakes.
