Meats cannot be carried to supply food for 12 months, so plants will be selected and grown aboard the shuttle. These plant foods, however, must have specific characteristics. Species selected must be quick-growing, and small at maturity. Since plants would be the key components of the MMM, and for the majority of the journey to, from, and during the period spent on Mars, astronaut diet would be primarily vegetarian. Since America's best known astronaut reported that . . .
Food tastes much more bland in space . . .
DIET General Washington was not trained in medicine but was a keen observer of his troops. He knew that edible wild greens improved health and relieved scurvy . . . Previously, lettuce varieties were seasonal, highly perishable, and available in local markets only during Spring or Fall. After the introduction of iceberg lettuce, and marketing by railroad, Americans could have their salads throughout the year. During the late 19th century, the word salad referred to cooked salads, whether escarole, hot or cold slaw, potato salad, or sauerkraut.