Researchers studied 40 elite military soldiers deployed to Afghanistan to see if they were eating enough food to stay healthy and strong. They found that these highly trained soldiers were eating less energy (calories), carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin D, and potassium than military nutrition guidelines recommend. However, they were getting enough B vitamins, calcium, iron, and sodium. The study suggests that soldiers in difficult environments with limited food access may need special nutrition plans to perform their best and stay healthy during demanding missions.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether elite special operations soldiers were eating enough food and getting the right nutrients while deployed in Afghanistan
  • Who participated: 40 active-duty male soldiers from Special Operations Forces who were finishing a 6-month deployment in Afghanistan
  • Key finding: Soldiers were eating significantly less energy, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin D, and potassium than military nutrition guidelines recommend, which could affect their health and performance
  • What it means for you: If you’re in the military or work in demanding physical jobs, you may need to pay extra attention to eating enough calories and certain nutrients, especially in challenging environments. Talk to a military nutritionist about your specific needs.

The Research Details

This was a snapshot study that looked at 40 elite soldiers at the end of their 6-month deployment in Afghanistan. Researchers asked the soldiers to remember what they ate during their deployment using a food questionnaire. They then compared what the soldiers reported eating to official military nutrition guidelines that say how much food and nutrients soldiers should consume based on their intense training and work.

The researchers used a tool called the 2014 Block Food Frequency Questionnaire, which asks people to recall their eating habits over a period of time. This method relies on soldiers remembering what they ate, which can sometimes be tricky because people don’t always remember perfectly. The study focused only on male soldiers, so the results may not apply to female soldiers.

Understanding whether soldiers are actually eating enough is important because inadequate nutrition can make soldiers weaker, slower, and less able to think clearly during critical missions. This study looked at real soldiers in real deployment conditions, not in a lab, which makes the findings more relevant to actual military life.

This study has some strengths and some limitations. The strength is that it studied real soldiers in actual deployment conditions. However, the study only included 40 soldiers and only male soldiers, so the results may not apply to all military personnel. Also, the study relied on soldiers remembering what they ate, which may not be completely accurate. The study was done at one point in time, so we don’t know if eating patterns changed throughout the deployment.

What the Results Show

The soldiers reported eating about 28.9 calories per kilogram of body weight per day. This was significantly less than military guidelines recommend. For example, a 200-pound soldier would be eating roughly 2,600 calories per day, which may not be enough for someone doing intense physical work.

The soldiers were also eating less carbohydrates (3.2 grams per kilogram of body weight) and fiber than recommended. Carbohydrates are the body’s main fuel source, especially during intense exercise. Vitamin D and potassium were also lower than guidelines suggest.

On the positive side, soldiers were getting enough or more than enough B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and sodium. These nutrients are important for energy production, bone health, and muscle function.

The study found that protein intake was 1.3 grams per kilogram of body weight and fat was 1.2 grams per kilogram of body weight. While the study didn’t specifically say these were too low, they may be on the lower end for soldiers doing extremely demanding physical work. The fact that soldiers were getting excess sodium suggests they may have been eating processed or preserved foods, which is common in military deployments where fresh food is limited.

Previous research has shown that soldiers in austere (harsh, limited-resource) environments often struggle to eat enough calories and nutrients. This study confirms those findings in a real-world deployment setting. The pattern of getting enough of some nutrients (like iron and calcium) while falling short on others (like vitamin D and potassium) has been seen in other military nutrition studies.

The biggest limitation is that the study only included 40 soldiers, all male, from one deployment. Results may be different for female soldiers or soldiers deployed to different locations with different food availability. The study relied on soldiers remembering what they ate, which can be inaccurate. The researchers only measured intake at the end of the deployment, so they don’t know if eating patterns changed over the 6 months. Finally, the study didn’t measure whether soldiers actually had health or performance problems from the lower nutrient intake.

The Bottom Line

Military leaders should consider providing nutrition education and better access to nutrient-dense foods and supplements during deployments, especially in austere environments. Soldiers should try to eat enough calories and carbohydrates to fuel their intense physical demands. Consider vitamin D and potassium supplements if fresh fruits, vegetables, and fortified foods are limited. (Confidence level: Moderate - based on one study with a small sample size)

This research matters most to military personnel, military nutritionists, and military commanders planning deployments. It’s also relevant to athletes and people doing intense physical training in challenging environments. The findings may not apply to female soldiers or soldiers in different deployment locations.

Nutritional deficiencies can affect performance and health within days to weeks, especially during intense physical activity. Soldiers may notice improved energy, strength, and mental clarity within 1-2 weeks of improving their nutrition. However, some benefits like stronger bones from better calcium intake take months to develop.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Log daily calorie and carbohydrate intake to ensure you’re eating enough for your activity level. Set a target based on your body weight and activity intensity (for example, 40+ calories per kilogram of body weight for intense training).
  • If you’re in a demanding job or training program, use the app to set reminders to eat regular meals and snacks, especially carbohydrate-rich foods before and after intense activity. Track vitamin D and potassium intake specifically, and consider whether you need supplements.
  • Track your energy levels, workout performance, and recovery over 2-4 weeks while improving your nutrition. Monitor weight to ensure you’re eating enough (unexpected weight loss suggests inadequate calories). Check in monthly with how you feel during intense physical demands.

This research describes nutrition patterns in elite military personnel during deployment and should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Individual nutritional needs vary based on age, sex, body composition, activity level, and health status. Anyone concerned about their nutrition, especially those in military service or intense training programs, should consult with a registered dietitian or military nutritionist for personalized recommendations. This study involved only male soldiers, so findings may not apply to female personnel. Always consult with healthcare providers before making significant changes to your diet or starting supplements.