Healthy meals for the U.S. Military

Military meal

The U.S. has the best equipped military but it is not the same thing about the military meals. Keeping aside combat situation, the military meal has been considered average at best that did not give serious attention to obesity or other long-range health risks.

According to defense department, the number of service members with the weight problem has about doubled from 1 out of 50 in the mid-1990s
to about 1 in 20 by about 2005. This is a serious national security concern for our military that spends about $4.5 billion a year on food services, and then $1.1 billion a year on obesity related medical care. According to the Department of Defense, about a quarter of entry-level candidates are too overweight to actually either enter the military or sustain themselves through the first enlistment.

The good news is, in the past years, the U.S. military has made conscious efforts to stimulate healthy eating habits among soldiers. In some instances the drill sergeants even stand and watch over the chow line and calling out soldiers who don't put enough fruit on their plates. These are all good developments.

According to the latest report by the Associated Press, the Military Health System has launched a new campaign to increase nutrition and obesity awareness in the military. The armed services are about to update the menu standards for the first time in 20 years and provide healthier food choices. Military dining halls will be providing more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lower-fat entrées. Similarly, healthy food will be provided in vending machines, snack bars and schools located in bases.

Good job people.

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References:

Associated Press

U.S. military is providing healthier meals