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Warfighter cognitive performance degrades during sustained operations in part due to difficulty consuming adequate calories and limited access to stimulants such as caffeine. This investigation tested the effectiveness of a snack-based ration, containing caffeinated components, to increase energy and preserve cognitive performance during sustained operations. Eighty-nine Marines consumed either an entree-based (MRE) or a snack-based (FSR) ration during a four-day field exercise with limited sleep. Outcome measures included visual reaction time, logical reasoning, mood state (POMS), and energy intake. Total calories, CHO and caffeine intake was greater (P

Dismounted operations make it difficult for Warriors to drink and eat enough. The Nutrient Delivery System (NDS) is an add-on to collapsible bladder with drink tube personal hydration systems, and is intended to facilitate fluid and on-the-move nutrient intake. Soldier feedback (n=83) was captured regarding acceptability of NDS form and function, and their opinions regarding the merits of the system. Sixty-eight percent of the Soldiers rated the device as moderately to extremely valuable, and 68% felt it would provide a performance advantage by better sustaining hydration and/or providing energy, and not having to stop to get nutrients. Eighty-three percent would recommend the system to their peers and 76% recommend that the Army invest in the technology. The potential advantage of the NDS technology for the user and logistician in combination with the favorable acceptability scores received, make the NDS a worthy candidate for advanced development.

Dismounted operations make it difficult for Warriors to drink and eat enough. The Nutrient Delivery System (NDS) is an add-on to collapsible bladder with drink tube personal hydration systems, and is intended to facilitate fluid and on-the-move nutrient intake. Tests were performed using an artificial sipping system and carbohydrate-beverage concentrates (CHO) to characterize NDS performance attributes. A variety of CHO formulations were also studied to define the ideal beverage concentrate for maximizing system efficiency. The NDS performed optimally with concentrate bag oriented spout down with the top of bag positioned ~ 6-inches below the bite valve. Sip to sip coefficient of variation as measured by sip-to-sip changes in % solids was 2 [1.5]%. At faster sipping rates (13-14 ml/sec) the blended drink was 4 [13]% more concentrated compared to a lower sip rate (7-9 ml/sec). A concentrate viscosity of 0.022 Pa.S. created the desired dynamic range (0 to 7% CHO) and efficiency (~ 1 Liter of mixed drink from 100 ml concentrate). The NOS is a valid and reproducible system for mixing drinks with a PHS.

Warfighters typically undereat relative to their energy expenditure during field training and deployments. Carbohydrate supplements in liquid and solid form provide a means of enhancing carbohydrate and total caloric intake when soldiers are likely to consume insufficient rations. Liquid and solid carbohydrate ration supplements have been developed for use by the U.S. military. Commercial carbohydrate gels, used by the sporting community but not by the military, were assessed for acceptability with regard to taste, texture, and how likely soldiers or Marines would use them during a 5-day field exercise. Fifty Marines were provided 2 packets per day of commercial carbohydrate gels (Power Gel, Power Par, Inc., Berkeley, CA, and GU, Sports Street Marketing, Berkeley, CA) and completed a questionnaire on the acceptability of carbohydrate gels they either consumed or sampled at the end of their training exercise. This was not a controlled study, but rather a market assessment of the potential use of gels while training or deployed. Not all Marines consumed all flavors, and the order of consumption was not controlled or monitored. The Marines rated the carbohydrate gels as moderately acceptable, and 84% of Marines thought they were "very likely" or "extremely likely" to use them in the field, particularly when relying on Meals, Ready-to-Eat (MREs) as the primary source of food. Carbohydrate gels were not rated as highly as ERGO Drink, a carbohydrate beverage powder. The ERGO Drink ratings were from a previous study with Marines undergoing similar training. The commercial tear-top packages present problems for use by the military because of 1) disposal problems, 2) all the gel would have to be consumed immediately after opening because the package cannot be resealed, and 3) the potential leakage of the product if package is torn. In conclusion, commercial carbohydrate gels were moderately acceptable but do no compare favorably with ERGO Drink.

Soldiers typically under eat relative to their caloric expenditure during field training. Carbohydrate supplements in liquid and solid form have been developed to provide a means of enhancing carbohydrate and total caloric intake when soldiers are likely to consume insufficient rations. This report summarizes the results of a taste test performed during a seven-day field training exercise. Marines were provided five packets of ERGO Drink (Soldier Systems Center-Natick, Soldier Biological Chemical Command, Natick, Massachusetts) per day during the training exercise. They completed a questionnaire at the end of the 7-day sampling period. The soldiers rated the ERGO Drink as very good and thought it was a very valuable product for use in the field, particularly when relying primarily on MRE for food. The packaging was also highly rated. The students chose to dissolve the powder either in their canteen or within the packet itself. On other occasions they consumed the drink as a powder. The canteen cup was generally not utilized for fluid delivery. These results document the usefulness and acceptability of carbohydrate beverage powder for field use. Novel means of packaging should be pursued to encourage consumption directly from the drink packet, thus avoiding contamination of the canteen with carbohydrate.