View Full Version : Army Nutrition Bar
peakbagger
03-29-2017, 11:51
https://health.mil/News/Articles/2017/03/20/Bedtime-snack-to-optimize-bone-health-give-trainees-a-fighting-chance
Sounds like something starting out thruhikers might need. Over the years I have run into more than few folks who ended their thru hike attempts early due to stress fractures.
I expect one of these days, some firm will be selling civilian versions (or government overstock).
I read this book last year:
https://www.amazon.com/Combat-Ready-Kitchen-U-S-Military-Shapes/dp/1591845971
Fascinating. Energy bars apparently came out of initial DARPA research for example. Concentrated, shelf-stable, and easily consumable calories on the go. Make sense...
Of course, what many outdoors people seem to forget that this processed crap we consume (myself included) in large quantities was not really meant for the long haul. Twenty-something soldiers in good physical condition eating this type of food for short, intense periods of combat is much different than a sustained part of a diet.
Multivitamins can help too... think of the money the military could save by buying Flintsones Chewables instead... :-)
BuckeyeBill
03-29-2017, 13:20
I remember when to first action took place in the middle east (Kicking Irag out of Kuwait) Hersey developed a chocolate bar for the military that did not melt in the hot sun. Someone got the idea to test it by placing it on the dash of his car with the windows rolled up during the summer. After 5 hours it was still intact with no sign of melting. A friend of my dad did some work at Hersey and brought some to him. They tasted like chocolate but a little bland.
Hersey developed a chocolate bar for the military that did not melt in the hot sun. .
Long history of that bar or similar..
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_military_chocolate#Logan_Bar_or_D_ra tion
peakbagger
03-29-2017, 17:42
I got several of the first strike energy bars that the military used to issue. I save them for long day hikes and am quite impressed with the nice kick they give me. Far less then a sugar buzz but a lot longer lasting. They freeze in the winter but they break into pieces like frozen taffy so they are good for winter. Unfortunately it looks like they are no longer available. I think the magi ingredient is maltodextrin.
If it is maltodextrin, several companies have tapped into that and make endurance products using it as their main ingredient. I think it's Heed that's big on Maltodextrin???
I've never been a fan of meal replacement bars except as emergency food. I've thought I might make a batch of single serving Hunza bread, vacuum seal them, and have them sent to me should I get the opportunity to thru-hike. All natural and I control the ingredients. They would serve as a convenient lunch.