Nutrition Principles for Fitness Flashcards
7 cards from real CROSSFIT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Nutrition Principles for Fitness flashcards as text
What is 'metabolic flexibility' and why is it relevant to CrossFit athletes?
Answer: The capacity to efficiently utilize both carbohydrates and fats as fuel depending on intensity demands
Metabolic flexibility is the ability to switch efficiently between carbohydrate and fat oxidation based on exercise intensity, which supports the varied energy demands of CrossFit workouts.
A female CrossFit athlete reports irregular menstrual cycles and frequent stress fractures. Which nutritional issue is most likely contributing?
Answer: Low energy availability (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport - RED-S)
Irregular cycles and stress fractures in female athletes are classic signs of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), caused by chronically insufficient caloric intake relative to training demands.
When comparing whole food carbohydrate sources to refined carbohydrates for general CrossFit nutrition, what is the PRIMARY advantage of whole food sources?
Answer: Whole foods contain fiber and micronutrients that blunt blood sugar spikes and support sustained energy
Whole food carbohydrate sources provide fiber and micronutrients that moderate blood glucose response and contribute to overall nutritional health beyond just energy provision.
A client asks if they should take branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplements. If their dietary protein intake is already adequate (1.6-2.0g/kg/day), what is the most evidence-based response?
Answer: Additional BCAA supplements provide minimal benefit when total protein intake is already sufficient
When total protein intake is adequate, supplemental BCAAs provide minimal additional benefit because sufficient leucine and other BCAAs are already being consumed through food.
How does excessive alcohol consumption most significantly impair CrossFit performance and recovery?
Answer: Alcohol disrupts sleep quality, impairs protein synthesis, and dehydrates the body
Excessive alcohol disrupts restorative sleep architecture, suppresses muscle protein synthesis, and causes dehydration—all of which impair recovery and subsequent performance.
In the context of CrossFit nutrition, what does 'food quality' refer to beyond macronutrient content?
Answer: The micronutrient density, minimally processed nature, and absence of artificial additives
Food quality encompasses micronutrient density, minimal processing, and the absence of artificial additives—factors that affect health outcomes beyond basic macronutrient provision.
A CrossFit Level 1 trainer notices a client skipping breakfast before 6 AM workouts, then feeling fatigued. What is the BEST nutritional guidance within the trainer's scope of practice?
Answer: Suggest a small, easily digestible snack 30-60 minutes before early sessions and monitor response
Suggesting a small pre-workout snack is practical, within a trainer's scope, and directly addresses the likely cause of early-morning training fatigue.