<p>Just a question to mids who are at the Academy or their parents. How is the food for quality and calories? It's been stated before that they used to really pack on the calories and some mids had weight problems no matter how hard they worked out. Any thoughts or observations?</p>
<p>Very high calorie food during plebe summer to keep mids energized. The program is very physical, and they need the high calorie diet to maintain muscle mass.</p>
<p>Most lose weight over plebe summer, anyway, and some become so fatigued that they have difficulty with their fall sports.</p>
<p>During the academic year, my mid has never complained about the food, but I understand (from others) that the environmnet for plebes in King Hall is not spectacular. They must, for example, sit only on the first 3 inches of their chairs, and their back must not touch the chair back. I suspect that there are many other restrictions. A current mid should be able to give opinions about the food quality.</p>
<p>CM</p>
<p>LOL! I was thinking that exact question yesterday evening.</p>
<p>I hope that some of the mids will reply so you can get a first-hand answer, but as they tend to be busy, I'll chime in with a second-hand one. Many mids do not like the food. From what I hear, its not because it tastes bad, but more because there is a certain monotony to the menus. </p>
<p>During the Ac year, not every meal is mandatory attendence (I think only Wednesday night is mandatory for dinner). The alternative is to 1) buy your own food where available on the Yard (e.g. the Dry Dock Restaurant), 2) eat from your stash of non-perishables (unless your company lets you keep food in the wardroom 'fridge) 3) order carry out or 4) or get someone to "carry-in" for you. </p>
<p>Carry-out you say? How does the pizza delivery guy get on the Yard? </p>
<p>Carry out is delivered to "Gate Zero". This is an actual gate, located behind the Visitors Center right up against the water. Gate Zero is always kept locked. You can reach it by car at the end of Prince George Steet, and it can also be accessed on foot from the end of Dock Street. There is actually an opening cut into the metal fence posts the size of a pizza box. Medium size bags (say, for a small order of Chinese food) can be squeezed through a gap in the locked gates. The largest bags require that the delivery person hold onto the gatepost and lean out over Spa Creek to pass the bag over the seawall fence. </p>
<p>At dinner time, a steady flow of carryout providers show up at Gate Zero, often with multiple orders. They all know the drill. The mids who placed the orders just wait at the gate for their food to show up.</p>
<p>hmm...what is this AC year of which you speak of?</p>
<p>Academic...</p>
<p>i was wondering about that too! at summer seminar, i thought that most of the food was pretty gross. maybe it's because i'm not used to it...i mean, i had never in my life heard of having a "biscuit" in the morning, and that stuff that was supposed to go on it is NOT what i think of when i hear "gravy". this is probably because i'm from the northeast, but i'm worried that all the food is going to be regional food that i'm not used to that i'm going to hate. did any of you current mids have that problem? the closest i get to Mexican food up here is Taco Bell, and it seemed like we had something Mexican like everyday at NASS. nothing against Mexican food in general, it just wasn't what i was used to at all. i'm really not that picky, but the food at NASS just didn't appeal to me at all...is this what the food is like all year? Or are you just so tired and worn out that you don't really care? Thanks to anyone who knows . . .</p>
<p>I have biscuits in the morning, normal southern breakfast food.</p>
<p>oh yeah, i now know that that's normal food in the south, i was just wondering if the Academy serves mostly that type of food. i know that a lot of people like it, and a lot of people at the Academy are from the south, so it makes sense that they would have it. i was just wondering if it's varied at ALL though, or if i'll have to completely change my diet. :-D</p>
<p>You didn't like the food? Are you insane? Haha. I loved the food. I was hungry before every meal, so I guess it didn't matter---food was food, and that's all that mattered. I liked having three [garaunteed] meals a day. I guess that because in my household it's, "First come, first served," and, "You snooze, you lose."</p>
<p>Anyways, we were told that the drinks they served us (in the cartons) were supposed to be like sports drinks (Powerade/Gatorade). A mid told us that they served roughly 3000 calories a day, but he also noted that a lot of people (he included) didn't really eat the breakfast (except the cereal) because they didn't like it. Another mid mentioned how addicting some of the food can be (specifically, the pre-packaged oreo brownie bars).</p>
<p>I personally eat beans and rice for breakfast if I make it either the night before of if I get up early enough.</p>
<p>At USAFA summer seminar, the food wasn't too bad. There was a lot of chicken and I think they reused the left overs. Started with chicken strips, then chicken parmesian, then chopped chicken and noodles, then at the end no one could really tell what it was. Breakfast was saved by the cereal because the "ham and eggs" weren't quite up to par. There seemed to be quite a bit of grease on everything and I don't think some people were ready for it. I heard of some talk of "Mitch's Revenge" for the first couple of days.</p>
<p>You all need to understand that institutional food in general is hardly the same as Mom's home cooking. Pick a civilian college and interview the students; some will like the food and some will not. There are options at the Academy just like at civilian schools for those who have lots of money to purchase alternate meals.
CM</p>
<p>personally i like king hall food. most of the food is pretty good, but there are a few bad meals like the lobster roll. its mostly a thing of personal preferance, some people complain and some people like me aren't as picky and like the food.
there have been problems with king hall taking away 2% milk and sometimes they don't bring out enough food but for the most part its pretty good. the menus are mostly chicken stuff or sandwiches, but i think there is more variety than i got at home, especially for breakfast. the food is loaded with calories, but it shouldnt be too much of a problem if you are working out.</p>
<p>I don't mind the food. Yeah it gets pretty nasty with the lobster rolls or if they try to do something ethnic.</p>
<p>They throw that lobster in for the New England folks...Yumm :)</p>
<p>Where's the muktuk for the Alaskans? Fair is fair, anyway!</p>
<p>Just in case you aren't familiar with muktuk...</p>
<p>Muktuk is the outer covering of the whale. It includes the white skin, approximately 1-2 inches (2 1/2 - 5cm) thick, plus a thin pinkish layer immediately underneath. After taking blocks from the whale, leave 2 days hanging to dry. Cut into pieces 6 x 6 inches (15x15cm). Have water ready to boil. Cook until it tests tender when pierced with a fork. Keep in oil in a 45 gallon (206 litre) drum after it is cooled. Store in a cool place and you will have muktuk all year. Most prefer to eat muktuk raw, as it has tender-crisp texture and tastes like fresh coconut.</p>
<p>Yum!</p>
<p>blah. just blah.</p>
<p>But I wouldn't mind trying whale.</p>
<p>sounds like an interesting meal.....but, uh...i dont like coconut...</p>
<p>the whale itself sounds interesting tho.</p>
<p>momof1- never heard of muktuk- from your description it's hard to believe it would taste like coconut! Is this something that is served reguarly? ....and it is pre-packaged or does everyone make their own? this is a culinary education....I thought you could get just about anything in NYC, but I think you have us beat on this one!</p>
<p>you know, if i got in to the naval academy, or any other academy for that matter, I would probably not be complaining/worrying about the food...</p>