Memory Alpha   37,549pages on this wiki Revision as of 23:35,
May 2, 2012 by TardisCaptain (Talk | contribs)  Rations were
controlled portions of certain foodstuffs, distributed in times
of emergency or scarcity, or in situations where carrying large
amounts of food was impractical. Rations would often contain
carefully balanced mixes of nutritional supplements designed to
nourish the body in place of normal food. A common problem with
such rations was that their taste left much to be desired.
Rationing in time of crisis or scarcity  Rationing food and
water was a strategy employed in many cultures to deal with
scarce supplies and shortages. If the situation grew worse, it
might become necessary to cut the rations. Rationing was
sometimes necessary on newly-colonized planets.  During the last
years of the planet Kataan, water was rationed to deal with
droughts. (TNG: "The Inner Light")  In an alternative 1944,
Nazis occupying New York rationed meat for the local population,
and subsequently cut the rations m