Protein Shakes

falconfamily

5-Year Member
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Jan 28, 2011
Messages
670
Hi folks! I was wondering if anyone has guidance on the protein supplements that are given to some cadets? My understanding is that you have to be 6 foot tall or greater to get this. Football players get it no matter what, how about other IC's? Can a cadet request this if they are losing too much weight?

Thanks!
 
Cadets cannot request them. They will receive them if they are underweight or in too low of a weight percentile, regardless of height. (Of course, weight is determined by height, but there is no minimum height to receive the supplement).
 
The Academy cares very much about the health and well being of your basic cadets. Basics have their weight taken regularly and will receive the supplements if needed.
 
Protein supplements

My son (current basic cadet; not a recruited football player) was told that if you are taller than 6' or weigh more than 200 lbs. you are provided the supplements because, although the cadets can eat as much as they want, the nutritional allowances for the meals are based on the "average" cadet, who is 5'9" and weighs 165 lbs. (or something like that- I may have my numbers a bit off). Because my son measured at 6'1", he was give a box of Boost to keep in his room and he is supposed to drink 3 a day. (FYI - he weighed in at 197 lbs.) I've also heard that, no matter your size, if you lose too much weight, you'll be given the supplements.
 
I received a letter from my Basic Cadet today which mentioned that he has lost 3 lbs (not too bad) and that all cadets that are over 6 feet (my son is 6'2) and lose 5 or more pounds will be required to drink the protein shakes. Either way it doesn't seem to be too big of a deal. They are getting plenty to eat, lots of sunshine and some great exercise.:cool:
 
Females, less than 6", may also given the supplements. Two years ago, my daughter, 5'4", weighed less than shown on the chart by the end of BCT 1 -- she was given the supplements while at Jack's. Basics are weighed weekly during BCT-- I think -- and adjustments are made as needed.
 
My son is 5'10" and according to his letter he is on a supplement plan to gain weight so he gets 3 Boost shakes a day (and he's not an IC athlete). If you notice in Webguy shots, some of the cadets are wearing blue belts--its because they are being monitored for some sort of medical condition. My son's belt is because he's on the weight plan. I would guess that's probably true for many of the "blue belts". It doesn't sound like the food is too yummy. :frown:
 
M It doesn't sound like the food is too yummy. :frown:
Maybe it's a poor reflection on my wife's and my cooking but my son thought it was about a 7 on a scale of 10. He says he likes home cooking better but that it is definitely better than HS and some restaurants he has been to.
 
Thanks for all of the feedback!

That's what I love about this forum, ask and you shall recieve (answers)! My son is 5'11.5" and weighed about 180. He is a baseball IC. The reason I ask is that this is a kid who walks into Chipotle and orders 2 burritos and a bag of chips. Given his appetite, he is lean, so I cannot imagine him eating less. My understanding with meals is that they cannot eat enough because of the rules and the harassment. Coupled with the PT and activity they can lose a lot of weight. But I would guess that if it becomes a concern with him, they will direct him to eat more.
 
Females, less than 6", may also given the supplements. Two years ago, my daughter, 5'4", weighed less than shown on the chart by the end of BCT 1 -- she was given the supplements while at Jack's. Basics are weighed weekly during BCT-- I think -- and adjustments are made as needed.

That's one TINY GIRL!!! At least you could get her into movies for free, and restaurants won't be too expensive. :thumb:
 
We always make sure they have a full and satisfying meal.
 
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My DS was not on supplements, but was required to take at least one "silver bullet" at each meal, He describe the bullet as a large tablespoon of Peanut Butter coated in honey... by the end of BCT he had still lost about 15 pounds but it had to do more with a change in his eating habits than anything else - he was one of those kids that was use to grazing - never ate huge meals, but about 2 hours after he got up from the dinner table he would be foraging in the fridge for a snack - obvisouly he was not able to do this during BCT, thus the weight loss. They monitor the kids very closely, and make adjustments to the diets based on individual cirsumstances.
 
Most cadre try to make sure all cadets eat enough. That said, some people (like me) will still be losing weight during BCT. I was on 3/4 shakes a day by the end of BCT (3 was the max, but people were offering me extras :eek:).

They weren't bad, but when you try chugging 3 at a time, they get old FAST.
 
Most cadre try to make sure all cadets eat enough. That said, some people (like me) will still be losing weight during BCT. I was on 3/4 shakes a day by the end of BCT (3 was the max, but people were offering me extras :eek:).

They weren't bad, but when you try chugging 3 at a time, they get old FAST.

Haha, I remember thinking about how much more enjoyable the Boost would be cold. But alas, you can't have everything. :rolleyes:
 
ds says " the food is good but eating it sucks ". Hopefully cadre are giving them a few 'viking minutes'. also said after a specific 'beat' session his arms were sore so eating was painful. I did tell him to do more pushups when he was training prior to i day.....:biggrin:
 
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