Nutritional survey of the US Navy SEAL trainees

The nutritional status of 267 male US Navy Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) trainees was assessed to determine dietary patterns. Diet records, blood samples, 24-h urine collections, and physical characteristics were analyzed. Energy intake was 3886 +/- 73 kcal/d (SEM) with 15.7 +/- 0.2, 42.9 +/- 0.6, and 41.2 +/- 0.5% of the energy derived from protein, carbohydrate (CHO), and fat, respectively. Mean cholesterol intake (1008 +/- 35.7 mg/d [SEM]) exceeded the US Dietary Goal (less than or equal to 300 mg/d) and serum cholesterol concentration was 5.25 +/- 0.41 mmol/L (SEM). Over 38% of the trainees had cholesterol concentrations greater than 5.3 mmol/L, an indicator of high risk for cardiovascular disease. Mean sodium intake was 250 +/- 22 mmol/d. Over 86% of the trainees consumed greater than 144 mmol/d. Urinary Na excretion was high (146.7 +/- 6.7 mmol/d [SEM]) and correlated with Na intake (r = 0.365; p = 0.001). Potassium and selected vitamin intakes approximated the Military Recommended Dietary Allowances. Fat, cholesterol, and Na intakes were high relative to the dietary goals. Whether more dietary CHO would improve performance in endurance training remains to be determined.