Food

B

BravoTL

USMA Class of 2028
Joined
Jan 14, 2021
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264
I really enjoy powerlifting/bodybuilding, and for these goals, it's crucial to be able to be in a caloric surplus. As a growing and active young man, I burn about 3500 calories daily, so I need about 4000 in order to have enough calories to gain muscle. I know that D1 athletes get their team tables where they can get more/better food, but what about the average cadet. I eat so much at dinner and lunch, and given that food is served family style, I don't want to leave my table mates with too little food. Are there supplemental ways to get more food (preferably free) for people who aren't D1 athletes, but have higher caloric needs?
 
Kinda in your shoes rn too. I've just accepted that I will likely lose mass during BEAST and now I'm looking into ways to preserve as much as I can. I've heard that we have very little time to eat too, so if you can eat fast and other people eat slower, maybe you can strike a deal and take more food since either way we won't have enough time to eat it all.
 
ThomasJ said:
I really enjoy powerlifting/bodybuilding, and for these goals, it's crucial to be able to be in a caloric surplus. As a growing and active young man, I burn about 3500 calories daily, so I need about 4000 in order to have enough calories to gain muscle. I know that D1 athletes get their team tables where they can get more/better food, but what about the average cadet. I eat so much at dinner and lunch, and given that food is served family style, I don't want to leave my table mates with too little food. Are there supplemental ways to get more food (preferably free) for people who aren't D1 athletes, but have higher caloric needs?
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Hers’s a video
 
usmausmausmausma said:
Kinda in your shoes rn too. I've just accepted that I will likely lose mass during BEAST and now I'm looking into ways to preserve as much as I can. I've heard that we have very little time to eat too, so if you can eat fast and other people eat slower, maybe you can strike a deal and take more food since either way we won't have enough time to eat it all.
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Disregard this for non-Beast dining ^^
 
usmausmausmausma said:
Kinda in your shoes rn too. I've just accepted that I will likely lose mass during BEAST and now I'm looking into ways to preserve as much as I can. I've heard that we have very little time to eat too, so if you can eat fast and other people eat slower, maybe you can strike a deal and take more food since either way we won't have enough time to eat it all.
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Its not just about slower eating people. Beast is a whole other animal (pun intended). There is a whole series of protocols that New Cadets go through. Specific ways to hand out food, serving food, etc. Its not "who eats fast and who eats slow." As a new cadet, you will have to learn how to divide a pie into various number of equal pieces, one day it could be 7, the next 9. Yes, you will probably lose weight during the 6 weeks of Beast. But that is a very small piece of time compared to your whole Army career. During the Academic Year, you are required to join one of the many clubs there is to offer. Here is the Power Lifting Club:

 
According to DS, there is a “grab and go” area at Grant Hall where you can go anytime to pick up snacks. Mostly packaged snacks, but I think there are protein bars and jerky. He showed me his desk drawer full of stuff and said I could stop sending his favorite snacks because he is drowning in them.
 
Found more specifics...am encouraged by the mention of tuna and protein recovery drinks. Posting a screenshot to help future CCs with my question.
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If you're finding it tough to get enough calories during meals, you could try adding some snacks that are easy to carry and eat.
 
MrForbess said:
If you're finding it tough to get enough calories during meals, you could try adding some snacks that are easy to carry and eat.
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I’ve heard that Grant Hall has a “grab and go” section where you can pick up things like protein bars or jerky. But if you prefer more natural food options, you might want to bring along some dried fruits, nuts, or other high-calorie snacks. These are great for getting those extra calories without having to rely entirely on the main meals.
 
MrForbess said:
you might want to bring along some dried fruits, nuts, or other high-calorie snacks. These are great for getting those extra calories without having to rely entirely on the main meals.
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This is the best way to bring proper nutrition with you to USMA and while attending

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I brought snacks from a natural foods company during Parent Weekend since my cadet wanted better options than the usual stuff at the chow hall. They were happy to have something familiar and healthy on hand between meals. It’s a small thing, but having snacks they’re used to made a big difference for them during the long days.
 
After BEAST, you might consider a "Magic Bullet" blender for your room - I believe cadets are allowed 1 appliance per - current cadets can jump in to confirm. Once allowed, my cadet brought one and makes smoothies with protein powder (add creatine if you like). She grabs yogurt, bananas & juice from the grab n go and then I will occasionally organize a delivery of bags of frozen fruit to add in that she keeps in the Company refrigerator.
 
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