text: Chapter 8
  individual rations daily. The latter is a compact, eat-on-the-move individual ration intended to be consumed
  during initial stages of intense conflict. Leaders should consider using high-calorie individual rations for
  short duration (for example, 1–3 days), highly-mobile dismounted missions. Leaders may also consider
  augmenting (not replacing) operational rations with modular operational ration enhancement (known as
  MORE) Type I for high altitude or cold weather (Type II for hot weather) training events. Leaders should
  consider using the modular operational ration enhancement when missions require extra calories due to heavy
  activity in extreme environments. Some reasons for weight loss at high altitude include the following:
  * Increased energy requirements to 115–150 percent of sea-level requirements.
  * Decreased sense of taste, which causes a reduction in food intake.
  * Changes in metabolism of fat and carbohydrate.
  * Loss of body water from increased breathing rate and dry air.
  * Impaired absorption of nutrients.
  * Acute mountain sickness, which can cause nausea, vomiting, headache and decreased appetite.
  Carbohydrate Intake
  8-79. High carbohydrate foods are the preferred energy source at altitude and in flight because they—
  * Restore glycogen.
  * Require less oxygen to produce energy than fat.
  * Are the most efficient energy source.
  * Can diminish and delay the progression or severity of acute mountain sickness symptoms.
  * Maintain blood glucose.
  Diets should provide at least 400 grams of carbohydrate and carbohydrate should contribute 50–70 percent
  of total energy. This can be accomplished by eating high carbohydrate snacks between meals and drinking
  beverages containing carbohydrate during strenuous activity, long flights, and recovery.
  Dehydration
  8-80. Exposure to high altitude is associated with significant levels of dehydration because water losses are
  increased. If Soldiers do not replace these losses, dehydration will result. Some studies suggest that vigorous
  hydration may decrease the incidence and severity of acute mountain sickness. The reasons dehydration
  occurs at high altitude include the following:
  * Increased respiratory losses due to increased ventilation (such as increased supply of air to the
  lungs).
  * Increased urine output due to altitude and cold temperatures.
  * Possible diarrheal fluid losses.
  * Failure to drink water.
  * Poor access to water.
  8-81. Fluid requirements may be greater than 3700 milliliters (4 quarts or 128 ounces) per day at high
  altitude. To avoid acute mountain sickness, Soldiers maintain a drinking schedule and monitor hydration
  status daily.
  NUTRITION FOR MISSIONS IN WATER AND AT DEPTH
  8-82. Like exposure to altitude and cold environments, water operations, especially cold water operations,
  are associated with increased energy expenditure and fluid losses. Thus nutritional concerns for diving are
  maintaining—
  * Energy intake.
  * Fluid intake.
  * Mineral balance.
  * Antioxidant balance.