Are on-post fast food chains contradictory to what the military is stressing to service members about health and fitness?

2016-03-14T02:42:32-04:00

As service members we are required to maintain a level of fitness and pass a fitness test. They stress the importance of remaining physically fit, eating well, and all around health yet every base you go to there's a Burger King or a Charles Cheese Steak, etc. Even the chow halls serve burgers, fries, fried chicken, etc. Do you think this contradictory to what the military is stressing to us service members about health and fitness?

Response by SFC William Farrell made Mar 14 at 2016 2:55 AM

2016-03-14T02:55:28-04:00

No, not when done in moderation SSG Private RallyPoint Member

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 3:16 AM

2016-03-14T03:16:44-04:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member Is called freedom and personal choice. Even if you decided to close down all the fast food joints on a base and only served salads at the DFACS, Soldiers are allowed to leave base and eat anywhere they want. Nobody is forcing anyone to go have Bk every day and get fat, just like nobody is forcing anyone to become a vegetarian.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 3:52 AM

2016-03-14T03:52:49-04:00

Don't even joke about taking away Charlie's. Lol. But seriously, it's good in moderation as others have said. And it's not like there isn't healthy options at the Dfac, commissary, and even BK has got salads!

Response by CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 5:40 AM

2016-03-14T05:40:10-04:00

Well at the end of the day, noone is forcing us to eat it (im just as guilty as others). And honestly, if its a choice between KFC and yakisoba...just saing

Response by PO3 David Fries made Mar 14 at 2016 6:27 AM

2016-03-14T06:27:21-04:00

You would be better off adding more healthy options than taking away anything. Removing options is never the right answer.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Mar 14 at 2016 6:27 AM

2016-03-14T06:27:30-04:00

Fast food doesn't make people fat. Eating the fast food makes people fat.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 7:03 AM

2016-03-14T07:03:55-04:00

If we were using that rationale, the club should stop serving beer. Where do you draw the line?

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 7:14 AM

2016-03-14T07:14:36-04:00

Seems to me there ought to be more healthier options added to the current choices. Seems to me there needs to nutritional counseling offered to better educate SMs on healthy eating. I think proper nutrition goes hand in hand with PT.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 7:15 AM

2016-03-14T07:15:55-04:00

Yep, no more cars on base because bikes or walking are more healthy.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 14 at 2016 7:47 AM

2016-03-14T07:47:59-04:00

Probably the best thing to do is eat a 6 inch sub for lunch and not the chips. Cut down on the fat and calories.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Mar 14 at 2016 7:53 AM

2016-03-14T07:53:57-04:00

As I always tried to stress to my Soldiers and to my middle son who is currently serving, "...everything in moderation is ok." Now, it is the PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY of Soldiers to take care of themselves and while these places are operating on our posts, no one is having their arms twisted to eat there or to stuff their faces with burgers and fries at the DFAC. If these places are shut down, or the short order lines closed at the DFAC, then we are turning into a "nanny-state institution" where personal responsibility is not valued or expected. No thank you, I know what is and is not "good" for my body and I should be the only one to limit or do away with the "bad" in my diet, not the Army or the country.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 8:13 AM

2016-03-14T08:13:55-04:00

I think there definitely should be a lot more fast, healthy options. Even many DFACS do not have the healthiest options, to be quite honest. Salad bar is not too vadied, and on many posts, since whoever provides the salad bar foods are contracted out, cost a lot of money to the end user. Sometimes the salad costs more than the meal! So, what I started doing a while ago is bringing my own food to work.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 8:30 AM

2016-03-14T08:30:05-04:00

The Army makes enough "choices" for you. Enjoy the choices you have....even those which you choose not to participate.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Mar 14 at 2016 9:16 AM

2016-03-14T09:16:24-04:00

Probably, Good Point. They've been on all bases of any significant size though as long as I can remember.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 10:52 AM

2016-03-14T10:52:56-04:00

The same could be said about cigarettes and alcohol being sold in the exchanges. None of these items hurt you in moderation, it is the individual's responsibility to enjoy them responsibly. We have processes in place to deal with those that cannot handle these responsibilities.

Response by SGT William Howell made Mar 14 at 2016 11:09 AM

2016-03-14T11:09:17-04:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member Now hold on! If we get rid of fast food chains on post how are us MPs going to do mounted land nav?

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Mar 14 at 2016 11:32 AM

2016-03-14T11:32:56-04:00

It's about personal choice and will power. No one is forcing the SM to get that Double Whopper combo on a daily basis. Everything in moderation and burn more than you take in.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 12:02 PM

2016-03-14T12:02:11-04:00

Yes they are. Even when they provide the nutritional options.

Bring back the Chow Hall that is ran by Military Personnel and the ability to make your own life choices without being looked at as anything other then yourself.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 1:57 PM

2016-03-14T13:57:45-04:00

In my opinion I think it has alot tot do with ones self control. As stated before fast food does not make you fat, eating it does. Just because there is fried chicken, cheese burgers and what not does not mean you have to eat it. It is the individuals conscious decision to eat the unhealthy food over the healthy food.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 2:38 PM

2016-03-14T14:38:45-04:00

I want to know why they have the worst kind of fast food on base? there should be restaurants like Panera, qdoba, chipotle...etc

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Mar 14 at 2016 2:42 PM

2016-03-14T14:42:45-04:00

Just say no!

Response by SPC Greg Andle made Mar 14 at 2016 3:07 PM

2016-03-14T15:07:56-04:00

No, it's called common sense, and knowing not to live off of them. There were days I'd see the line for the mess hall backed up for 'miles' and do a vending machine breakfast, ie coke and a snickers, but I wouldn't do that every day.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2016 6:29 PM

2016-03-14T18:29:59-04:00

Just like guns they dont kill people but people that do not know how to use them do. Fast food is there as an option and as a grown person you can make a decision on what you eat and put inside your body. Now what I see the problem with the Army in general is their body fat percentages are high and only allows room for getting fatter as Soldiers get older. Trust me I have seen my fair share of fat bodies in the service but the service says that you can be obese and as long as you have a big neck.

Response by PVT Jevon James made Mar 14 at 2016 7:13 PM

2016-03-14T19:13:56-04:00

Well artery's get clogged by cholesterol and people get out of shape.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 7:58 AM

2016-03-15T07:58:49-04:00

While I think the chow halls could clean up their act, I don't think shutting down fast food on post is the answer. Although, why not healthier options like Baja Fresh, a Tropical Smoothie, and more sit down options on the bigger posts?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 10:14 AM

2016-03-15T10:14:31-04:00

Sorry, no I don't. While some soldiers have a weight problem many do not. Many are VERY active and need the extra carbs, and calories just to keep moving. I think that the Service should address the soldiers who become complacent and neglect their fitness. Some can eat a double or triple whopper large fry and wash it down with a steak and maintain a 30 inch waist and even be considered "Underweight" while others can eat much less and struggle with a weight problem because they are older, not active enough or not disciplined enough to match their food with their activity level.

There's a place for them... and some can eat fast food every day three meals a day and maintain fitness and pass that test. Some can diet 365 days a year and struggle to pass it. Don't punish the ones who can eat all they want and not have a problem because a handful struggles with Fitness... address the problem service members not issue a blanket edict that punishes everyone.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 10:33 AM

2016-03-15T10:33:23-04:00

There should be a healthier option I completely understand freedom of choice and fast food doesn't make people fat , lets use analogies we can really grab, so why should I stop calling certain cadences or not have certain posters on my wall in my office, it doesn't look goo. So if BK Dominoes and the like are here it says sure service member this is great food for you no problem . If at least a Panera , a Crispers a Atlanta bread were on post or any local healthy eatery it now really gives a choice over o charleys and taco bell , I'm a brown bagger so my 2.50 healthy choice is usually a cheaper an better option along with a salad and fruit and I still come out cheaper than the DFAC and no waiting , if there is truly going to be a freedom of choice , because I even see individual restaurants that are also not healthy so it begs to ask does DOD NOT want any healthier eateries on base ,,,I'm sorry other than subway ( goo Jared)

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Mar 15 at 2016 10:38 AM

2016-03-15T10:38:10-04:00

Fast food joints on base were never once an issue with plenty available within a stone's throw outside the main gate. What did cause more concern and problems was the troops soaking up pitchers of beer and booze at the on base slop-chute or e-club and in the many bars out in the ville. Coming in at 2 am passing out on their rack and reveille at 5:30am made for some hard mornings for everyone. Fast food was the last of our concerns.

Response by SPC Randall Eichelberger made Mar 15 at 2016 10:41 AM

2016-03-15T10:41:53-04:00

There's nothing wrong with grabbing bk once a week. Anything Is fine in moderation.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 10:56 AM

2016-03-15T10:56:49-04:00

Don't forget that not all personnel on base are Soldiers/ service members. In any case, I would like to stress there is indeed a lack of formal health training in the military, especially when the ranks are increasingly being filled with overweight and apathetic recruits coupled with a continually declining PT standard (to help more Soldiers pass).
With so much hype in the media around health and diet, it's good to have some kind of stable base of information continually flowing to the people who would benefit most from it. Since Americans consume the most invented food per capita on Earth, I think promoting "real food" by itself is already a good start. I don't care too much for the opinions of skinny-jeans, man-bun-sporting hipster types regarding most issues, but when it comes to food they've been walking the talk for decades and the scientific healthfood community is just starting to catch up on many of their claims. If you're interested in learning more about food, talk to the hippies. You'll actually learn a lot.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 11:10 AM

2016-03-15T11:10:18-04:00

I feel like if we were to get rid of the fast-food joints on base, we should also stop selling cigarettes in exchanges. It's the same principal: take away the wildly unhealthy thing that consenting adults are choosing to do. (For the record, I don't agree with either of these measures, but they do go hand-in-hand.)

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 11:17 AM

2016-03-15T11:17:37-04:00

Everything is about moderation, but we need Soldiers to support our DFACs, which are still more cost effective then eating at BK.

Response by PO3 Donald Murphy made Mar 15 at 2016 12:00 PM

2016-03-15T12:00:12-04:00

Not to be bitchy but if you're an American, living in America, eating American food, then you're already eating "unhealthy." With all the crap they pump in to the food, etc, GMO's and other 'goodies' you're taking a chance no matter what. My wife's English and we go over to England every year to visit her family. For the first two days I'm on the shitter cuz the body is protesting healthy food. The portions are smaller too as normal chickens outside of the USA don't weigh 75 pounds (exaggeration for humour value)(laugh - don't google it). This is also why we can't understand why our ten year old daughters are menstruating and have full C cup breasts.

Now as to the lifestyle itself, I bike to work, walk the dogs daily, etc. As a result, I'm on zero cholesteral/BP meds. We Americans want a one-stop fix where we're going to consume X, X times a day and magically be at that ideal weight. Not gonna work kids. You have to exercise. Additionally you have to study portion control as well. There is no sin to having left overs. Kick "eat-everything-on-your-plate" grand parents out of the house and start saving stuff.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 12:31 PM

2016-03-15T12:31:52-04:00

If I recall correctly = Army / Air Force get Burger King and Navy / Marines get McDonalds?

Then, it gets murky ... Subway, Charley's, Anthony's, etc.

Seem to be Starbucks everywhere, though. (-:

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Mar 15 at 2016 12:33 PM

2016-03-15T12:33:28-04:00

Yes, agree, great thread!

Response by MSG Julia Moore made Mar 15 at 2016 12:47 PM

2016-03-15T12:47:33-04:00

Yes! More healthy choices should be made available. A McAlisters or a Jason's Deli offers much healthier options.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 12:52 PM

2016-03-15T12:52:05-04:00

Yes. I even brought it up in a town hall with LTG Horoho, and she said she does not have the power to take on major corporations like Burger King, etc.

Wait, what?

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Mar 15 at 2016 1:33 PM

2016-03-15T13:33:17-04:00

They used to sell Playboy and Penthouse in the BX/PX. Just because these things are available doesn't mean they are a good idea. The military also teaches self discipline - it's much more important that you learn that!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 2:05 PM

2016-03-15T14:05:53-04:00

Great question and fair point; that being said, unless we want to remove alcohol and tobacco from the Class VI, or nasty food from the Commissary (and I don't think we should) it's a question of personal freedom and responsibility.

We can teach, coach and mentor, but ultimately it's up to the individual to do "the right thing".

Response by 2d Lt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 3:25 PM

2016-03-15T15:25:11-04:00

People keep talking about choices which is a valid point however there is a bigger point that I think is being missed. There are more people on a base then uniformed military. We have contractors, dependents and retirees. They are not held to our standard so why shouldn't they have a choice?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 10:16 PM

2016-03-15T22:16:41-04:00

Although we are indoctrinated to make healthy choices, keep in mind a military post employs a large group of civilians too. There are also dependants, and not just Soldiers. So in order for an installation to appease a larger base as a whole, more choices need to be available to accommodate a demand that is outside the role of a DFAC.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2016 1:26 AM

2016-03-16T01:26:37-04:00

Well i was at fort carson and they used to have three Burger Kings but the closed one and turned into a Subway now they have three Subways and two Burger Kings

Response by MSgt Wayne Morris made Mar 16 at 2016 6:55 AM

2016-03-16T06:55:06-04:00

In the end we are all adults and should be aware of the good & bad of food choices we have out there. If you want a burger on a given day you are going to find a burger, if you want rabbit food, ditto. With government and advertising agencies continually telling us what to eat, how much to eat, and even how to get rid of it besides the other daily "you will/won't in our lives, in the end we all have to put on our big boy pants and be responsible for our own actions and welfare.

Response by CWO4 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2016 1:00 PM

2016-03-16T13:00:42-04:00

absolutely. we have a severe issue in our ranks with PFT failures and BCP assignment yet McDonalds and other junk food distribution sites remain open. I say get rid of them all. In addition to that, remove the sale of ALL tobacco products from the exchange. Tobacco related illness, much like weight related issues are killing us as a society and unless we remove those things that contribute to the epidemic we are seeing, we'll never stop it.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2016 5:53 PM

2016-03-16T17:53:49-04:00

The Army isn't going to pay the $8-10 a meal it would cost to serve healthy food in correct portions in a DFAC. Same reason you get junk and carbs for breakfast and little to no protein in almost every DFAC. It's a racket.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 16 at 2016 10:57 PM

2016-03-16T22:57:39-04:00

Yes. However.... they generate income... which we like too. I believe we expect Soldiers to make smart choices...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2016 2:15 PM

2016-03-17T14:15:34-04:00

Is there such a thing as healthy fast food that we could replace it with? Please don't say Subway, because I really don't think a footlong sub with highly processed cheese, a bag of potatoe chips, and a soda are much healthier than a burger, fries, and a soda. I would argue that the only healthy restaurants are sit down ones that are over $12 per meal. Chipotle is borderline. I would alas argue that chow hall food often, nit always, is less healthy than many fast food restaurants because they are just as processed. That includes many of the main line options.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Mar 19 at 2016 10:23 AM

2016-03-19T10:23:14-04:00

To the posted question: You as a service member have the choice of what to and what not to eat. By this time in life one should understand what it takes to eat healthy. None of the fast food places are twisting your arm for their business.
Does the chow hall give you a choice the day of burgers, fries, fried chicken? I'm guessing there are other choices as well. It's the choices you make.

Response by Cadet PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2016 10:25 PM

2016-03-19T22:25:19-04:00

Well. I know you have more choice than Australian bases on food for starters. USA has alot of foods like this. I personally think maybe one day eating like junk food is ok , because you need energy and some fats in your system when your working all the time. But long term healthier food like less oil or lean meat, or chicken is fine but not fried in oil or fats . Long term health will be affected ,fitness and others.

So i guess i would say its how they make the food also and what kind of fats they use,
trans fats are the nasty ones that are very hard to get rid of out of the body and increase weight and risk of heart attack, kidney disease very quickly.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Oct 28 at 2017 2:31 PM

2017-10-28T14:31:51-04:00

yep!...but it's still nice to have a variety. After leaving the military seven years ago, I stopped drinking beer, wine, and any other alcohol and dropped weight over night. I'm still on the "big boy" side, according to the BMI, but trying to get to the weight I was at 40 years ago...right!