Does it Make Sense to Eat Yourself?

In the year 1847, 89 pioneers left Springfield, Illinois to move to California, only 45 made it to California. This is the story of the Donner Party. The Donner party has been ingrained as a taboo of human history. Reportedly, the party attempted to arrive at California through a shortcut and due to several delays, arrived at the Wasatch mountains during the winter. Heavy snowstorms caused them to camp out in the mountains, and when they ran out of food, reportedly, they cannibalized each other. Now, let us assume you are in a similar situation. You are trapped in a snowstorm and you have plenty of snow to drink, however, you do not have any food. Does it make sense to eat yourself?

It makes sense, you have one less limb to supply energy for, and also it gives you something to eat. However, the answer is no. The physical trauma that your body would experience with the loss of a limb would greatly cancel out the energy you get from eating your leg for example. This is because your body will try to repair the leg that you had just amputated, which will consume more energy than your body will get from eating you leg. Your body can store more energy in your leg, than your food can digest. So, if you ever are trapped in a snowstorm and you do not have any food, just keep yourself together.

Sources:
http://www.history.com/topics/donner-party
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/08/cannibalism_n_1501513.html