Overview
Eating or fueling for performance enables Soldier training, increases energy and endurance, shortens recovery time between activities, improves focus and concentration, and helps leaders and Soldiers look and feel better. Although Soldiers and leaders frequently understand the connections between nutrition and mission readiness, they also cite numerous barriers to obtaining optimal nutrition. These barriers include lack of access to healthy foods, time constraints arising from working through meals or working late, monetary constraints, and low motivation to make healthy choices. Specifically, when interviewed on what affects their nutrition, many Soldiers cited military dining facility hours, cost, location, and limited healthy options as barriers to making the healthy choice. Others indicated the prevalence of unhealthy on-base fast food options detracted from their ability and motivation to make optimal food selections.
