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A Balanced Diet in Antarctica
Factfile |
 A Balanced Diet in Antarctica |
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Modern Antarctic Rations |
Today a great deal is known about the foods necessary for a healthy diet in Antarctica. Depending on their workload, a person working in Antarctica will need between 2750 - 5500 calories per day to provide them with enough energy to cope with the cold environment. This extra energy is needed by the body for: -
Heating and humidifying the air we breathe in a cold environment
Making up for the body heat lost to the cold
The extra work of operating in the snow and the additional clothing worn and carried by the body.
These calories are obtained by eating a range of foods that are known to be rich in carbohydrate, fat, protein, vitamins and minerals. However, there are occasions when the crew of HMS Endurance has to carry out demanding work in "the field". Then they use specially prepared Arctic ration packs, which are light, compact and easy to prepare. The packs provide approximately 5500-6000 calories in a mainly carbohydrate diet, for faster conversion into energy and therefore, body warmth.
 
POCA Pearce in the Galley and in Flight Deck Officer Role
While Scott and Shackleton coped with endless days of eating bland pemmican, Arctic ration packs provide tasty meals like casserole with vegetables and rice pudding in foil pouches, which can be heated up over a paraffin fired primus stove. The packs also contain a number of drinks like tea, coffee and drinking chocolate, which can be made up by melting snow for water. The packs are also supplemented with a few extra `goodies' such as bars of chocolate.
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