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This side up: What do astronauts eat in space?
One of the things that’s totally different in space is eating. Have you ever wondered what astronauts eat and exactly how they do it?
Who among us hasn’t dreamed of floating weightless in space, defying gravity as we explore the infinite mysteries of the universe?
But life in outer space means adapting to a completely new and different environment and one of the things that’s totally different in space is eating. Have you ever wondered what astronauts eat and exactly how they do it?
AN ASTRONAUT'S DIET
Aside from the challenges of eating and drinking in a gravity-free environment, the astronaut’s diet is critical to the success of the mission. The food has to be tasty but also nutritious, which is why the International Space Station menu includes more than 100 products and NASA has recipe books filled with special menus for astronauts that include fruits, vegetables, desserts and dairy products.
Most of the food is dehydrated to take up less room and the water is added when the food is going to be eaten. To make mealtime that much more enjoyable and keep homesickness at bay, much of the food is prepared following local recipes from the astronauts’ native countries.The “how to” is another important aspect of eating in outer space and this is possible thanks to specially designed trays with Velcro to hold the plates down, silverware equipped with magnets and water bags fitted with straws.
Although space travel is something very few of us will ever get to experience, the next best thing is a visit to the space-themed Hydrogen restaurant at the Barceló Sants Hotel to try the hand of Chef Ramón Ribas.
The flower petal ravioli in edible paper wrappers is accompanied by a mesclun salad featuring baby lettuce and assorted tender greens. In a nod to the Planet Mars, the restaurant’s signature dessert, the “Red Planet” is a macaroon filled with fresh raspberry and raspberry coulis, topped with crumbled chocolate and accompanied by raspberry sorbet. Of course, all of the other items on the menu at the Barceló Sants hotel are just as “out of this world”. Houston, have a menu!
