Out goes corned beef, in comes pasta salad as new-style army rations combat 'menu fatigue'

But now the 24-hour ration packs for troops in the field are to be given a tasty makeover aimed at beating 'menu fatigue'.

Twenty new menus double the options for troops, as well as ensuring for the first time that those serving in extreme temperatures will have food designed to meet their specific needs.

The new ration packs have a distinctly international flavour, including such modern favourites as curry, chilli con carne and pasta with Italian meatballs

That means pasta pouches that can be eaten cold, and flapjacks and energy bars instead of chocolate (it melts too easily).

Earlier this year, Prince Harry spent weeks in Afghanistan surviving on ration packs.

When he spoke of his time in Helmand Province, he was full of enthusiasm for the work, but was less than keen on the food.

'Rations are miserable,' he said.

'I've been on rations now for . . . I can't remember how long. The guys here have been on rations even longer. They're really are fed up with it, but food's food.'

Yesterday the Ministry of Defence revealed the 20 menus, plus six each of Sikh, Hindu, vegetarian and halal, which should be ready for the forces in Iraq and Afghanistan next year.

Among the more unpopular items that will finally be disappearing from the military ration pack are biscuits brown  -  long suspected of slowing down certain digestive processes  -  corned beef hash and some of the more stodgy hot puddings.

Pasta salads, healthier snack bars, fruit and nuts are in, as are drink flavourings such as cranberry, raspberry and blackcurrant. Captain Paul Cunningham, who has been involved in creating the new range, said it had been developed because troops were living on ration packs for prolonged months and were getting bored.

He added: 'There are probably some older officers who will say biscuits brown are great, but it's not what 19-year-olds want.'

All the menus contain about 4,000 calories, a total that experts say a soldier on the front line needs.

Trooper Danny Skipper, from the Household Cavalry, tested the new rations yesterday. 

He said: 'When you're out there you get a lot of the same food all the time. Food is so important out there. You need it, but you want it to be nice as well.'