In this OA guide, we’ll show you three ways to eat a more tactical, combat-ready diet. We’ll also look at how the military units of our international allies plan their diets to optimize their combat efficacy. Follow the tips in this guide, and you’ll immediately notice a difference in how you feel and perform.

Not all foods are created equal. People often have trouble distinguishing between calorie-dense and nutrient-dense foods when designing their diets. Just because a portion of food gives you a lot of macronutrients like fat, carbohydrates, and proteins, that doesn’t mean it’s giving you all of the other nutrients and minerals your body needs to perform. 

Take some time to learn how to read nutritional food labels and apply this knowledge the next time you’re grocery shopping. Prioritize finding a balance between foods that give you calories and foods that give you the other nutrients you might be missing (like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins). 

To explain this next point, we have to travel across the Atlantic Ocean to one of America’s closest historical allies: France. With the nation effectively being a global superpower since the middle ages, it’s no surprise that the French know a thing or two about war. From Napoleon’s conquests to their role in the American Revolutionary War, France rarely backs down from a fight.

The European nation boasts some of the best trained and equipped military units in the world. But one of them is unique: the French Foreign Legion (FFL). Although the Legion is not technically a special forces unit, its soldiers are globally regarded as some of the toughest, meanest, and most capable warriors in the world. Since its conception in 1831 as a way to recruit hardened criminals into the military (violent and disposable with nothing to lose – an unethical but effective formula for a soldier), the Legion has been on the front lines of nearly every French conflict. And with so much battle experience, the FFL has also created a unique philosophy for soldier diets: the concept of le chat maigre (translation: the skinny cat).

If you compare the typical French Legionnaire to any other country’s soldier, you’ll immediately see a difference in their physiques. While most militaries encourage their warriors to build muscle and develop a strong physique, the Legion has the opposite approach. Legionnaires are usually thin, scrappy, and agile (hence, a skinny cat) – prioritizing agility and endurance over strength. This difference in physique is caused by the soldiers’ low caloric intakes (breakfast usually includes a 10km run followed by a slice of bread and cup of black coffee) mixed with some of the most intense daily PT in the world.

Although this isn’t a great approach for building muscle in the long term, the idea of training hard while on a low-calorie intake has its advantages in a combat scenario. If the Legion’s supply chain breaks down, its soldier’s bodies are already accustomed to fighting while low on fuel. In contrast, if a soldier is used to eating 3000+ calories/day and his logistics fail, he’ll be catatonic.

Does this mean you should stop eating? No. What it means is that there is more than one approach to getting in shape for the special forces. If your body isn’t predisposed to building muscle, or you struggle to reach the caloric surplus you need to gain weight, you might want to consider becoming an agile, scrappy “chat maigre”.

If you want to be a SOF operator, you must take the special forces mindset with you everywhere – not just into the field. This includes strategically planning your food intake to maximize your operational efficacy. 

Eating like a warrior is about more than consuming the right foods. It also involves taking a tactical approach to what, when, and how you eat your food. Eating a well-balanced, enjoyable diet is crucial to sticking to it in the long term. In fact, the Center for Disease Control highlights enjoying your food as a key tenant of healthy eating. Despite this, there is a time and plate for everything.

For example, say you’re one day away from attending an OA Crucible event. You know what you’re in for – 12 grueling hours of simulated special forces selection. With that being the case, your last meal before the Crucible probably shouldn’t involve gas station sushi or food from that new restaurant in town. Instead, your strategic approach should be to eat foods your body is used to and that you know won’t cause any adverse effects. Testing new things can wait until after the Crucible. 

If you eat the right foods at the wrong time, you’re eating the wrong foods! Take responsibility for your success by taking a tactical, strategic approach to your diet. If you’re looking for more ways to live like an operator, join OA as an Aspiring Operator today. You will meet a community of hundreds of like-minded people who will help you with everything from workouts to nutrition and staying accountable for your progress! Click here to enlist in OA now!