This Army memo discusses the nutritional sufficiency and health effects of eating primarily a bread and water diet over a period of time. The memo concludes that "diet of bread and water for up to seventeen days should not canoe any health problems. Fasting for days at a time for religious or social reasons typically has no detrimental effect on an individual's health. Adequate consumption of fluids is necessary to ensure that an individual does not become dehydrated."
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FICI-MD 6 October 2004
MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD
SUBJECT: Nutritional sufficiency of a diet of bread and water
1.t The purpose of this memorandum is to respond to a question regarding the
nutritional sufficiency and/or health effects of eating primarily a diet of bread and water over a
period of time.
2. eiggliggakEelbro C.JTF-7 policy requires all detainees to be treated like BM, pursuant to
the principles of the Geneva Convection (III) Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War
(GPW). In accordance with OPW, EPWa should be provided with a diet that is sufficient in
quantity. quality, and variety to maintain good health and prevent the onset of nutritional
deficiencies.
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3. Pimentos: A diet of bread and water for up to seventeen days should not canoe any health
problems. Fasting for days ata time for religious or social reasons typically has no detrimental
effect on an individual's health. Adequate consumption of fluids is necessary to ensure that an
individual does not become dehydrated.
4.
If an individual has certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, eating bread and water alone
could have an effect on their health. Over a substantial period of time, a person eating only
bread and water might suffer a protein and/or vitamin deficiency. They would then exhibit
health problems related to those deficiencies. However. it takes longer than seventeen days to
develop a vitamin or protein deficiency.
5.
POC for this memorandum is the undersigned.
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J H WOOD L , US Army Chiet Clinical Operations MNC-I Surgeon's Office
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Fonda Report 'Mu fill
DOD JUNE 3357
DOD057170