Army Recruit Diet

As an Army recruit, you have to begin caring about what you eat because good foods will help you be as physically fit as possible. When performing important or even dangerous combat missions, being healthy increases your stamina and physical ability, ultimately keeping you safe. The Army provides a number of food options for recruits.

MREs

• Meals, Ready-to-Eat (MREs) are the modern version of what was once called C-rations (later called K-rations) of the World War II era. These portable meals each contain about 1,250 calories, and are about 51 per cent carbohydrates, 36 per cent fat and 13 percent protein. One MRE comes with an entree, side dish, cracker or bread, spread (peanut butter, jelly or cheese), dessert, candy, seasoning, beverage and accessories like utensils. They also come with a flameless ration heater to warm the food. Though MREs taste better when warm, they can also be safely eaten cold. With a single MRE, you will get one-third the Army's recommended daily nutrition.

Army Dietary Guidelines

• The Army encourages soldiers to make smart food choices even when not restricted to MREs. Following the Army's dietary guidelines will help soldiers build lean muscle mass: high protein diets that promote foods like fish, beans, egg whites and yogurt. They also recommend vegetables, whole grains and fresh fruits. They also advocate foods rich in non-trans fats and avoiding high-fat salad dressings, pastries and fast food.

Portion Sizes

• The military also encourages recruits to consider portion size because this is the most accurate way to control calories, according to the U.S. Army website. They recommend using measuring utensils and kitchen scales for portion control at home.

Hydration

• Hydration is just as important as food, and soldiers should drink water before, during and after exercise. In fact, during Basic Combat Training, many drill sergeants force soldiers to drink an entire canteen--more than they would normally drink. The thinking is that people typically do not drink enough water. Sports drinks, which contain sugars and electrolytes, can also help soldiers stay hydrated, especially during physical activities lasting 90 minutes or longer. The Army recommends drinking 75 per cent of your body weight as an active soldier, adding 16 ounces in dry climates and an additional 16 ounces for strenuous exercise.

Diet-Related Jobs

• People training in diet and fitness determine the Army diet. If you are interested in this as a career, you can work as a food service specialist, with training that will teach you to prepare Army recipes, use kitchen equipment, safely store food and distribute MREs when necessary. To get more involved in Army food choices, you can also work as a nutrition care specialist. Your training in this job will teach you to manage soldiers' diets, perform health screenings and serve food to fulfill a soldier's recommended diet needs.