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The Surprising Reason Why You Can't Eat Bread in Space

By,
Gourmandize

Is it really "the final frontier" with no bread?

ANTI-GRAVITY EATING

ANTI-GRAVITY EATING

We went to the moon in 1969, and in the 50 years since, technology has changed so much. However, with the average space mission lasting six months, space programs have had to get creative about how to feed the astronauts. 

Eating a nutritious meal in zero-gravity has proved to be a challenge that space stations are ready to face, especially when they stay away from certain foods. One of the most surprising offenders on this list of banned foods is bread—and no, it isn't because of its carb count!

NO BAGUETTES IN SPACE!

NO BAGUETTES IN SPACE!

Bread is at the top of the list for no-no foods in space because a single crumb could cause a catastrophe. Without gravity, crumbs float around as they please, meaning they could land in an astronaut's eye, the air duct, or an important piece of machinery. Since the astronauts are already incredibly far away, getting help in case something goes wrong is even more difficult, so everything needs to be kept in excellent working condition. Astronauts can't compromise their safety and well-being for a bread stick! 

Other foods on the list include cookies and crackers (for the same reason), soda and other fizzy drinks—carbonation reacts differently in space—and salt and pepper. NASA actually developed liquid salt and pepper so that astronauts could season their food as they like. Lastly—and perhaps most shockingly—astronauts cannot eat so-called "astronaut ice cream" in space. The dehydrated treat is too crumbly enjoy on board.



Want more? Here are 50 Food & Nutrition Myths You Need to Stop Believing.

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