Space Food reports early astronauts were sent into space with food packaged in aluminum tubes to combat the problems of weightlessness. Food in its natural state was cut into bite sized pieces to avoid the astronauts using utensils.
Information from NASA explains that snack foods, including fruits and brownies, are commonly available in their natural state. Space Food explains that other natural foods include granola bars and cookies. Flour tortillas are also supplied as an alternative to bread. Cornell University reports that astronauts eat partially dehydrated foods such as dried apricots directly from their packets.
As of 2010, U.S. astronauts choose their own menus from a list of foods chosen for vitamin and mineral content, according to NASA. Meats such as steak are irradiated to remove potentially dangerous microbes. According to Cornell University, foods like eggs and macaroni and cheese are dehydrated to be heated with added water in space.
