CalorieMate primed to return in long awaited Metal Gear Solid remake

Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s 40 year-old revolutionary nutritional supplement bar isn’t just a videogame item: it’s become a key part of Japanese life


Announced in May, gamers around the world are excited for the release of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. A remake of the third game in the Metal Gear Solid series, gamers will be excited to revisit the jungle and keep Snake well-fed to maintain his stamina - but did you know that one of the best foods in the game, the CalorieMate, is a real energy food in Japan?

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snack Eater

CalorieMate is developed by Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, and was designed as a nutritionally balanced food, and as such is packed with vitamins, minerals, protein, fat, and sugar. It was first released to the public in 1983, which means that its appearance in a game set in the 1990s is a little puzzling. Perhaps Snake had access to an early recipe.


Packed with vitamin A,  B1, B2, B6, B12, C, D, E, niacin and more, it’s no wonder that in Metal Gear Solid 3 the CalorieMate item was one of the best in the game for restoring Snake’s stamina. Snake himself declares the snack to be delicious, and the women in the game are excited to try it.

When research into CalorieMate began in the 1970s, instant foods were becoming more prevalent in Japan, and many people were beginning to skip meals as Japan rose as a global economic power. Based on clinical foods given to people in hospital, CalorieMate was made for people who eat on the go, or who have a need for a quick energy boost; while still being healthy and delicious. It has since become Japan’s best-selling healthy nutritional supplement food.

CalorieMate comes in a variety of flavors: including cheese, fruit, chocolate, maple, and vanilla. In the original game, Snake eats chocolate flavored CalorieMate, which is what we’ll be looking at today.

Stamina boost

The first thing you’ll notice is that the bars look like shortcake, with the chocolate flavor bars being brown in color. Taking a bite out of the bar, there is an unmistakeable but not overwhelming chocolate taste, as well as a crumbly texture.


After eating, the infusion of invigorating ingredients had me feeling energized and alert for the next few hours, and is very filling. Don’t forget, though, that it is not meant as a replacement meal, but as a nutritional supplement, so make sure that - like Snake - you remember to eat regular meals, as well.

CalorieMate comes in packs of two or four bars, each of which is 80g (2.82oz) and 400 calories. 

With Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater on the way, many fans will be excited to revisit an old favorite, or play as Snake for the first time. And while we cannot recommend emulating the game’s hero by eating frogs, snakes, or squirrels, anyone who wants to add a little extra immersion to the Cold War espionage thriller should consider unwrapping a spy’s best friend: the CalorieMate.