Nutrition at USMC boot camp?

Question

I'm going to boot here in the next few weeks and I try to stay as healthy as possible (nutritionally speaking). I understand I'm going to need all the energy I can get, but is there any specific foods I need to gravitate toward when it's time for chow?

Any advice from actual marines would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

That part is already taken care of by the cooks and nutritionist. Just eat everything you can get your hands on. When I went in I was under wieght and they put me on double rations. It stunk for the first few weeks trying to eat that much food but once my stomach streched out a bit it was ok. By the time I left boot camp I had put on almost 30 lbs. of muscle. I looked great and was in the best shape of my life.

Do yourself a favor. Always keep a good attitude and remeber it is all a game. They will tear you down to nothing and rebuild you better than you where before. It was the best thing I could have done for myself at that age. I did 5 years and to this day still talk to the some of the guys from my platoon on a weekly basis. The friends you will make as a Marine will be unlike any friend you've ever had before. Enjoy it, it will go by fast.

Semper Fi

Answer 2

Trust your gonna wanna eat anything they put on your plate nutritious or not your gonna be so hungry because your use more energy than you probably ever have...

But Good Luck!  

Answer 3

Ben,  It's a good question, but rest assured that when you get there the primary objective for 10 weeks is to make you as strong as possible.  The food at Parris Island and at San Diego (not sure which one you're going to) is designed to provide you the most balanced, nutritionally beneficial meal for every meal - plus, there is no chance to snack - no wasted calories, no trans fats, no excess - just a great balance of carbs, proteins and fats.   You will crave the nutrients because at some meals you will sit down swear you'd eat anything you can get your hands on.  But you will never go hungry.  Sounds like you are in pretty good shape now, so you can expect to put on muscle - it cannot be helped - it will just happen.  Good luck to you  - you are taking on a great challenge - that all us Marines went through and we are all pulling for you.  

Answer 4

Well in Army Basic, a person only had so much time to eat and it was not enough time to eat right, so since I did not have time to see what I was eating, I suggest that you may just try to eat whatever you can that is on your tray as fast as you can!!!

Answer 5

Just eat whatever makes you happy..Once there they will feed you what you need. Nutrition should be the least of your worries.

You have tons of knowledge you need to memorize as an example and you can always push your PT even further..

Nutrition should not even be looked at unless you eat like a pig..Common sense.

Answer 6

In basic I dont remeber getting to choose what I ate.  I remember looking straight ahead, you could not look at the food or you would be reprimanded immediately.  I just remember going down the food line, and saying yes once in a while and they slopped it on the tray.  You will get a choice of beverage, but be quick or risk getting yelled at.  Man, that was a long time ago, but was also a lot of fun.  Your first week will be h**l, just remember keep your eyes and ears open (to learn) and your mouth shut and you will do fine.  By week 2 or 3 you will be getting it down and you will start having some fun!  good luck!