Ease of use, flavor, light weight...We have tried all kinds of different foods on our backcountry hunts and the ones you will find here have the qualities we need on a multi-day trip.  The last thing I want to do after hiking all day is spend all night cooking a meal back at camp.  We also want it to taste good, there is no sense in being miserable and eating strictly to survive.  Weight is key, if you lay out your gear for a week long trip, you'll be surprised at how much a weeks worth of food weighs.  Why not take advantage of technology to lighten your pack with some good tasting food that is easy on your back...If you prefer to be Survival Sam and eat grubs and live off the land, go for it!