Plant-Based Sports Nutrition

Level 2 & 3 CPE

CPE Type: 740 for Web-based/Online Tests

Upon successful completion of this self-study course, the users will be able to:

1. Summarize four benefits for athletes using a plant-based diet.

2. Identify three considerations to avoid negative side-effects of using a plant-based sports diet.

3. Differentiate among the types of vegetarian and plant-based diets.

4. Explain why a vegetarian may experience greater endurance compared to a nonvegetarian.

5. Describe how the body can build muscle without eating meat.

6. Discuss how an athlete can consume adequate calories for optimal performance and weight management while eating a vegetarian diet.

7. Give two reasons why the urinary calcium loss is higher with the typical American diet than with a typical vegetarian diet.

8. Identify one suggestion each, you might give to an athlete eating a vegan diet to maintain adequate nutritional intake of iron, vitamin D, iodine, and vitamin B12.

9. Identify a plant-based day’s menu that offers adequate calories, carbohydrate, and protein based on an athlete’s needs.

10. List four vegetarian foods each that are rich sources of the following: carbohydrate, protein, and unsaturated fats.

11. List the components that are used to calculate energy, carbohydrate, and protein needs of an athlete.

12. Identify vitamins and minerals that can be lacking in a vegetarian diet, and list 2-3 plant-based sources of each nutrient.

13. Counsel vegetarian athletes on the appropriate guidelines for fluids and carbohydrates immediately after 1+ hour of strenuous exercise.

14. List one benefit from taking each of the following supplements: creatine, caffeine, beetroot juice, turmeric, and omega-3 fatty acids.

15. Demonstrate how to determine the appropriate pre-event and pre-training fuel and hydration based on an athlete’s weight.