Soldiers’ lunchtime pies to be replaced with salads and popcorn

SOLDIERS’ pies and pasties are being replaced with salads as the Ministry of Defence puts the military on a diet.

As part of an initiative to improve what personnel eat, savoury pastries will be swapped for pasta salads, wraps and wholemeal sandwiches.

The switch comes after the Army Eats campaign conducted research into the lunches soldiers would prefer while in transit.

As well as no longer wanting “sausage rolls and pasties”, service personnel said they would rather drink fresh juice or water than fizzy drinks, and preferred popcorn to packets of crisps.

The analysis was carried out by the Defence Nutrition Advisory Service at the Institute of Naval Medicine. The service also created the new meals, ensuring they contained fewer added sugars and had more fibre, fruit and vegetables.

A defence source said: “The younger generation of soldiers today are savvy, and smarter about what they are eating.

“Lifestyles change and food choices change, too. People today are much more aware of healthy eating.”

It is understood that the Army is working to reflect the latest thinking about healthy nutrition, so that its meals are “relevant to our soldiers in the 21st century”.

The healthier packed lunches, which cost an extra £2.26 per person to prepare, are one of a number of initiatives to provide more nutritious food and drink options within the Army.

These include schemes to improve food labelling; providing affordable, healthy core meals; and self-help initiatives such as the Healthy Soldier Cookbook. Healthier hot food choices in messes are also being discussed, as well as allowing cooking in accommodation blocks. These ideas will be suggested to personnel through surveys. The Army has secured funding for six pilot schemes to act on the findings.

An Army spokesman said: “We take the health and well-being of soldiers very seriously. A comprehensive review of food services in barracks is under way, which is updating nutritious menu options and upgrading catering facilities to encourage a healthy lifestyle.”