What do astronauts eat on multi-year missions?

How can astronauts live on the international space station (ISS) for several years? Usually, they have to use dry and pre-packaged foods and have to eat with a stuffy nose, so they need foods with strong and special flavors to stimulate their appetite. These meals are carefully planned. Currently, astronauts consume about 2kg of packaged food per day.

Freeze-drying or drying is a commonly used way to keep food from spoiling.

Food on the spacecraft will be processed to remove all water, using heat to destroy harmful enzymes and bacteria . This is also a way to keep food fresh and delicious. In particular, freeze-drying or drying is a commonly used way to keep food from spoiling. Freeze-drying helps inhibit bacterial growth while making food much lighter. This method also helps preserve nutrients and can be used only by adding water to the food.

The foods will be frozen at -400 degrees Celsius , then stored in a vacuum chamber, where heat turns ice into steam. Food comes in disposable containers. Foods such as noodles, chicken, eggs, and beef must be stored in special packaging. Tin box used to store snacks and fruits. When taking out to eat, astronauts need to use an air convection oven to recook or use hot/cold water for dried foods.

One of the effects of microgravity is the loss of taste . The substances in the body cannot go in the right direction, causing the sinuses to be constantly clogged, causing astronauts to always have to eat and drink with a stuffy nose. This discomfort affects the astronauts' taste buds, so they need foods with strong and special flavors to stimulate their appetite.

In addition, astronauts need to eat 3 meals a day. Nutritionists must ensure their foods have enough vitamins and minerals. Calorie intake must also be divided according to each individual. For example, female astronauts need about 1,900 calories a day, while men will need 3,200 calories.

Since 2003, astronauts have been able to bring traditional dishes from their country into space. Some Chinese astronaut dishes include shredded pork with garlic sauce, meatballs, Kung Pao chicken, black pepper beef, pickled cabbage and minced pork, and many other desserts like apples and ice cream. The Japanese crew brought sushi, ramen. Meanwhile, the Russians had Borsch (red beet soup) and goulash, curd and nuts. And of course, because they get to eat traditional national dishes, the astronauts seem to enjoy these foods very much.

Today, astronauts' menus include more than 200 types of food and drinks , allowing astronauts to choose their own meals. These foods are even kept at edible temperatures on spacecraft, such as pasta, fruit and other common foods on the ground.