What are the dietary guidelines provided for Soldiers primarily based on?

The dietary guidelines for Soldiers are primarily based on Military Dietary Reference Intakes (MDRIs). These guidelines are specifically tailored to meet the unique physiological demands of military personnel, who often engage in rigorous physical activities and face different stressors compared to the general population. MDRIs take into account factors such as the heightened caloric needs of soldiers due to their demanding physical workloads, the nutritional composition of their meals, and the importance of specific micronutrients in enhancing performance and recovery.

The use of MDRIs ensures that Soldiers receive dietary recommendations that are practical and applicable to their specific environments, such as field conditions or deployments. This approach helps to optimize performance, maintain readiness, and support overall health, making it crucial for the dietary guidelines to be grounded in these specialized reference intakes rather than general health principles or other broader dietary trends.