Plant-Based Sports Nutrition (CHES)

CHES Competencies

1.1.1 Define the priority population to be assessed

1.2.3 Review related literature

1.3.1 Identify data collection instruments

1.4.2 Identify and analyze factors that impact health

MCHES Competencies

1.1.4 Apply theories and/or models to the assessment process

4.3.1 Identify existing data collection instruments

15 Hour Objectives

Upon successful completion, 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. Describe how the body can build muscle without eating meat.

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

6. 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.

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

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

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

27 Hour Course

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.