Chow hall food? Military- chime in here

BlueFenix13S · 04-25-2007, 08:23 PM

I'm headed to Ellsworth AFB for 5 weeks to serve duty on training staff for a rotation of cadets this summer. Of course I have to eat in the dining hall (think it's the E-club), and of course have more freedom of choice for food than the cadets do, but it's still gonna be processed crap (i.e. tubs of casseroles, white breads, etc.). What do you all suggest to at least minimize the damage?

I'm taking some BCAA's with me and I'm gonna grab protein bars from the BX when I can. Oh yea, caffeine pills to get me through my 20 hour days lol. Training staff up at 0300, cadets up at 0430, cadets lights out at 2130, training staff LUCKY to get to bed by 2330

dantheman212 · 04-25-2007, 09:08 PM

When I was at Leonardwood I had to do a lot of extra cardio. they give you calories like crazy. one MRE has about 3000 calories. chow hall isn't quite as bad but not healthy. are you staying in barracks?

BlueFenix13S · 04-25-2007, 09:11 PM

Training staff stays in Visiting Airman Quarters, cadets stay in dorms. I won't be quite as active as the cadets, so I won't need as much (granted I will need more than usual). I pretty much know how much I'll need, just need suggestions on how to keep it at least relatively clean/healthy.

cjhannsz · 04-25-2007, 11:10 PM

I've been eating in the chow hall since the beginning of my deployment. Breakfast you'll find is pretty easy to make healthy, grab some eggs and ham/bacon/turkey links, yoghurt, a bowl of cheerios, and have at it.

Lunch and dinner I spend in the sandwich line, with ham and turkey on wheat, with provolone or swiss and mustard. All the main like and short order foods are pretty unhealthy, but sometimes I get a piece of grilled chicken.

MRE's have 1100-1300 calories, by the way.

BlueFenix13S · 04-26-2007, 05:59 AM

Training staff won't be eating MRE's, just the cadets when they are in the field. That's out few days off to sleep and do whatever (maybe get some time in the gym???

). Anyways, I've never been up to Ellsworth, only Maxwell AFB, Scott AFB, and Wright-Patterson AFB. It should be an interesting experience.

Oh, as for the MRE's, I remember when I went through Field Training, they made us take out the candy, drink mixes, and desserts, so that took a huge chunk of the calories out. It sucked the day I got stuck with the vegetarian MRE. Basically, all I had left was the crackers and peanut butter lol.