Nutrient Intakes of the Enlisted Personnel Aboard the USS Saratoga Before and After Implementing 'Fast Food' to the Food Service System

A test of Fast Foods for Navy afloat feeding was conducted aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga. A diary-interview technique was used by the team from Letterman Army Institute of Research to evaluate the nutrient intake of 203 enlisted sailors before (July - August 1977) and 150 sailors after (November 1978) a Fast Food system was implemented in the forward galley. The aft galley continued to serve full course meals. The short order meals served forward in 1977 were low in vitamins A and C. Limited refrigerated storage space caused rapid exhaustion of fresh milk supplies and reduced calcium and riboflavin intakes. In 1978, vitamin A fortified milk shakes (dry base) and vitamin C fortified extruded French fried potatoes and vitamin C fortified non-carbonated were provided with the Fast Food meals. These items improved the crew's consumption of calcium, riboflavin, and vitamin A and C. The cholesterol, animal fat, precent fat calories, and energy content of the average Fast Food meal did not exceed that of the average full course meal. (Author)