British soldiers survived on a very meager diet. Each soldier was entitled to a six-pound loaf of bread every four days (or the flour to make bread) and three-quarters of a pound of 'good, sound, sweet and wholesome meat' a day. The meat was usually prepared as soup or boiled stew. On rare occasions, peas, rice and butter were added to the rations.

Ironically, during the war the British troops obtained much of their food from the enemy. One British general claimed that 80% of the meat he bought for his troops came from American farmers.

The regulation diet provided the men with about three thousand calories a day. This was enough energy for moderate activity but it lacked several vitamins and minerals.

The soldiers also received a glass of strong Jamaican rum each day; military physicians believed that spirits were essential to good health. Regardless of its health benefits, the rum certainly enabled the soldiers to contend with general misery they faced both on and off the battlefield.

Soldiers who had the money could buy vegetables (in season), seasonings, tea and coffee from sutlers, the authorized vendors who moved with the army camps. Officers could supplement their diet with care packages - containing items, such as sugar, ham, tea and spirits - sent from home.