Tag: Soldier nutrition

According to official regulations like Army Regulation 40-25, the military has strict nutritional guidelines to ensure service members receive balanced meals that support their health and performance. But does the military serve healthy food, and how do standards differ between garrison and field environments? This article explores the details.

The modern U.S. military requires a soldier's daily caloric intake to range from 3,200 to over 4,500 calories, depending on the operational environment. This high-energy demand is a key factor in determining what do military eat on deployment, whether in combat zones or on humanitarian missions.

A 2013 study found that soldiers on field exercises often consume less than the recommended caloric intake, despite MREs being designed to provide adequate nutrition. The number of MREs soldiers eat is typically three per day, although the actual consumption can vary significantly based on operational demands and access to other food sources.

According to official Army policy, the approved feeding standard is three quality meals per day, but the reality of how many meals a day do you get in the army can vary significantly based on location and operational tempo. The type of food and the circumstances under which it is consumed depend on whether a soldier is in a garrison, out in the field, or participating in intense training exercises.

Each Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) provides approximately 1,250 calories, meaning soldiers are typically rationed three per day to sustain energy for demanding physical activity. This article explores the factors influencing how many MREs do soldiers eat per day and the nutritional considerations involved in military field rations.