Do's and Don'ts for Cold Weather Nutrition

Do eat 25-50% more calories than usually
eating in garrison.

Do heat food and beverages at every
opportunity, prior to eating.

Do drink more than thirst indicates.

Do eat snacks between meals.

Don't eat snow or ice for moisture.
Don’t adopt bizarre dietary habits (such as
eating only meat and butter) just because
of being in the cold.

Don’t take multivitamin tablets or
consume alcohol to ward off cold stress.
Don’t eat food cold because of being too
busy to cat it when it's hot or too busy to
stop and heat MRE's

Don't use field training exercises in cold
weather as an opportunity to lose weight.



BASIC HEAT INJURY PREVENTION
Consider water a tactical weapon. Drink frequently. Be aware that dark yellow colored, infrequent urination is @ sign of dehydration. Perform
heavy work in the cooter hours of the day, such an early morning or late evening, if possible. Minimize heat stress by decreasing work pace
andior increasing rest periods. Be aware that heat acclimatization takes 1-2 weeks.

HEAT CRAMPS
SYMPTOMS: Muscie cramps of arms. lags and or stomach, Heavy sweating (wet skin) and extreme thirst may occur,
FIRST AID: Move the soldier to a shady area and loosen clothing. Have the soldier drink at least 1
canteen of water mixed with a packet of salt or sport drink.

HEAT EXHAUSTION
SYMPTOMS: Heaving sweating with pale, moist, cool or hot skin, weakness, dizziness, and/or fatigue
FIRST AID: Move the soldier to a shady area and loosen clothing. Pour water on the soldier and fan to
permit cooling effect. Have the soldier slowly drink at least one canteen of water. Elevate the soldier's legs.

HEATSTROKE
SYMPTOMS: Hot, disoriented, delirious, or unconscious. May have any of the heat exhaustion symptoms (including
increased sweating} but the signs and symptoms are more severe.
FIRST AID: HEAT STROKE IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. EVACUATE to a medical facility

HYPONATREMIA (“Water Intoxification)
SYMPTOMS: Confusion, disorientation, headache. nausea, vomiting, and muscle weakness. This condition is rare, however
it can result from sodium losses in sweat, excessive water intake, of both.
FIRST AID: Consume salty snacks to offset the loss of salt in sweat—more serious symptoms
may indicate a medical emergency



DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
U.S. ARMY RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING COMMAND

NATICK SOLDIER CENTER
KANSAS STREET
ATTENTION OF NATICK, MA 01760-5018
7 June 2004

Food Engineering Services Team

MEMORANDUM FOR Defense Supply Center Philadelphia
Directorate of Subsistence, Bldg. 6
ATIN: DSCP-FTSL
700 Robbins Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19111-5092

SUBJECT: ES04-077, Nutrition Labels for Inclusion in the Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE)

1. Four nutrition labels for inclusion in the MRE have been approved by the Joint Services
Operational Rations Forum (JSORF), which was held February 2003, at Fort Lee, VA.

2. The Natick Soldier Center (NSC) has prepared graphic drawings and electronic files (“.jpeg”
and “.ppt”) of the nutrition labels that shall replace the label information entitled, “Military
Rations Are Good Performance Meals”, on the chipboard cartons of the following MRE Entrees:

For Chili and Macaroni, PCR-C-027, Delete “Military Rations Are Good Performance Meals”
and Insert “Food, Water, and Exercise are Tactical Weapons”.

For Beef Stew, PCR-B-020, Delete “Military Rations Are Good Performance Meals” and Insert
“WHAT’S IN AN MRE”.

For Spaghetti w/ Meat Sauce, PCR-S-0002, Delete “Military Rations Are Good Performance
Meals” and Insert “Basic Heat Injury Prevention”.

For Beef Enchiladas, PCR-B-010 Delete “Military Rations Are Good Performance Meals” and
Insert “Do’s and Don’ts for Cold Weather Nutrition”.

3. NSC requests the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) provide the four nutrition
labels to the MRE Assemblers for inclusion in the MRE XXV procurement (2005 Date of Pack).
(Enclosed)



Food, Water, and Exercise are Tactical Weapons

- Drink 16-24 ounces of water or sports drinks before exercise, not a drink high in sugar (juice,
soda, ete.)

- Consume some carbohydrates as soon as you finish exercising to replenish your glycogen stores
in the muscles.

- Don’t consume large meals within 90 minutes of exercise.

~ Spread your meals throughout the day if possible. Eating more than three times a day will keep
up your brain and muscle power.

- Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It allows you to refill your carbohydrate stores
from nightly growth and repair.



percent of calories from protein is 13%

WHAT'S IN A MRE

Each MRE provides an average of 1250 kilocalories, The

carbohydrates 52%.

fat 35%,

NUTRIENT FUNCTIONS AND RATION SOURCES,

NUTRIENT FUNCHON MRE

PROTEIN Build and maintain tissue; Entrees, meats,
regulate water balance; cheese, peanut
formation of hormones, butter
enzymes, and antibodies;
excess intake used as
energy

CARBOHYDRATE | Primary energy source; Desserts, fruits,
dietary fiber (non- cocoa, candy,
digestible crackers, rice
assists the digestion beverage base
system (sugar sweetened)

FAT Provide energy; supply Peanut butter,

fatty acids for cell
membranes; absorption of
fat soluble vitamins

entrees, cheese