Nutrition During Deployment & Field Operations

Deployments and field operations demand a properly fueled and nutritionally maintained body—this could mean the difference between top performance and mission failure. Poor nutrition in extreme conditions (hot, cold, or high altitude) can lead to fatigue, rapid weight loss, injury, illness, and dehydration. Focus on eating foods that provide top mental and physical performance without compromising long-term health. View your mind and body as a weapon system. To be the most lethal weapon in the arsenal you need to be “nutritionally” fit.

Readiness begins in Garrison

Maintain a performance diet and a healthy weight by practicing healthful eating. The foods you choose to eat affect energy, concentration, and memory. Optimize your nutrition before, during, and after deployment/field operations.

Primary ways to be nutritionally prepared for all missions:

• Maximize energy stores! Low energy stores = fatigue!
• Eat a high carbohydrate diet.
• Avoid skipping meals—refuel every 4–5 hours at a minimum.
• Stay well hydrated.
• Minimize intake of heavily processed, high fat foods.

Performance nutrition tactics during missions

When on continuous operations it is important to fuel (eat). Warfighting requires you to expect the unexpected. An “empty tank” after a strenuous mission will be detrimental to the next mission.

Nutrition tactics during missions include:

• Make time to fuel. Energy stores need to be restored with food regularly. Refuel often—every 3–5 waking hours.
• Eat the most calorie-dense items in your ration first. If you do not have a lot of time to eat or will not get a break for a while, make it a point to eat a small amount when you have the chance.
• Snack when you can—include carbohydrate and energy-rich choices such as dried fruits, nuts, and trail mixes when choosing pogey bait or save unopened snack items from rations to eat on the run.
• Eat calorie-dense and nutrient–rich foods. This is especially critical when you are exposed to cold and high altitudes. Your energy needs will be higher, and your appetite may decrease.
• Drink fluids frequently, even when you are not thirsty. Monitor the color of your urine and watch for signs of dehydration. In extreme environments such as hot, cold, and high altitudes, increase your fluid intake.

Plan for the operational use of caffeine

• In moderate doses, caffeine improves mental performance, mood, and marksmanship in the most stressful environments and has operational utility.
• Caffeine is not useful to those already consuming over 300 mg per day. If you want to use caffeine for extended operations and you normally have a high caffeine intake, it will not help you when you need it.
• The recommended “optimal dose” for caffeine is 200 mg—more is not effective. Doses over 200–300mg may produce initial symptoms of restlessness, anxiety, increased heart rate, and insomnia.
• Higher doses can lead to more severe adverse reactions to include increased blood pressure, heart palpitations, dizziness, irritability, nausea, nervousness, jitters, and in some cases, death from caffeine overdose.

The table below provides guidance about proper caffeine dosing. If you decide to use caffeine dosing, remember to limit dose to approximately 200mg and stop dosing at least 6 hours prior to sleep.

Operational rations

Operational rations are designed for military personnel in a wide variety of operations, in widely varied settings, for limited periods. A variety of rations exist to meet unique mission requirements and include the most familiar ration, MRE™. MRE™ are made with real food and give you the most nutrition in the smallest package (approximately 1200–1300 calories per package). Some parts of the MRE™ may have extra nutrients and Soldiers should be encouraged to eat at least a part of each component of the MRE™ to get a well-balanced diet. The Combat Rations Database (Com-RAD  ) website provides nutrition information for MREs™ and other operational rations. This information can help you determine how much of or how many individual rations you need to meet nutrition needs in the field environment.

First Strike Ration

The First Strike Ration (FSR™) is a compact, eat-on-the-move assault ration designed for high-intensity combat operations. It is substantially lighter and more compact than the MRE™, and enhances Warfighter consumption, nutritional intake, and mobility. Developed to support operations lasting less than 72 hours, the FSR™ does not meet all a Soldier’s nutrient requirements. Do not use this ration for more than 72 hours. The FSR™ is issued one per day, instead of the MRE™ distribution of three per day. Ask your Installation Registered Dietitian about the right ration for your mission profile.

Meeting nutritional needs in the field environment

Often during deployments and field training, calorie needs are higher due to increased physical demands and completing missions in extreme environments. Soldiers need to be aware of their need for more calories and ensure they are properly fueling their bodies. Use the charts below to estimate daily nutrition needs and additional calorie requirements for field-related activities.

Daily energy needs calculator

Enter the following information into the calculator to compute your daily calorie needs.

Step 1: Select your gender.

Step 2: Enter your weight in pounds.

Step 3: Choose your Activity Factor (AF) from the drop-down list.

• Sedentary
• Light to moderate activity
• Heavy activity
• Exceptional activity

Step 4: Choose your Environment Factor (ENF) from the drop-down list.

• Normal
• Heat
• Cold
• Altitude
• Water Immersion

Step 5: Your results will be displayed on the Daily Calorie Needs line.