NASM Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC)

What does the NASM-CNC credential certify a holder to do?

• AProvide general, evidence-based nutrition coaching to healthy clients
• BDiagnose and treat clinical nutrition disorders
• CPrescribe medical nutrition therapy for disease states
• DCreate individualized meal plans for clients with diagnosed eating disorders

Which professional is legally qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for a diagnosed disease?

• AA NASM Certified Nutrition Coach
• BA Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
• CA NASM Certified Personal Trainer
• DA group fitness instructor

How many kilocalories does one gram of protein provide?

• A7 kcal
• B9 kcal
• C4 kcal
• D2 kcal

How many kilocalories does one gram of dietary fat provide?

• A4 kcal
• B7 kcal
• C5 kcal
• D9 kcal

How many kilocalories does one gram of alcohol provide?

• A7 kcal
• B4 kcal
• C9 kcal
• D0 kcal

What is the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) for carbohydrate as a percentage of total energy for adults?

• A10–35%
• B45–65%
• C20–35%
• D5–20%

What is the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) for protein as a percentage of total energy for adults?

• A45–65%
• B20–35%
• C10–35%
• D0–10%

What is the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) for total fat as a percentage of total energy for adults?

• A45–65%
• B10–35%
• C40–55%
• D20–35%

What does the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) represent?

• AThe intake sufficient to meet the needs of about 97–98% of healthy individuals in a group
• BThe maximum intake unlikely to cause adverse effects
• CThe average daily intake estimated to meet the needs of half the population
• DThe minimum intake required to prevent immediate deficiency symptoms

Which Dietary Reference Intake value represents the highest intake likely to pose no risk of adverse health effects?

• ARecommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
• BTolerable Upper Intake Level (UL)
• CEstimated Average Requirement (EAR)
• DAdequate Intake (AI)

A client maintains weight at 2,400 kcal/day. To lose roughly 1 pound of fat per week, approximately what daily energy deficit is commonly used as a planning estimate?

• AAbout 100 kcal/day
• BAbout 1,500 kcal/day
• CAbout 500 kcal/day
• DAbout 3,500 kcal/day

Which equation estimates resting metabolic rate using weight, height, age, and sex and is generally considered the most accurate of the common predictive equations?

• AKarvonen formula
• BBorg scale
• CCunningham equation using only body weight
• DMifflin-St Jeor equation

The Harris-Benedict equation is best described as a method to estimate which value?

• ABasal metabolic rate (BMR)
• BOne-repetition maximum strength
• CGlycemic index of a meal
• DBody fat percentage from skinfolds

Which component typically represents the largest portion of total daily energy expenditure in a sedentary adult?

• AThermic effect of food
• BResting metabolic rate
• CExercise activity thermogenesis
• DNon-exercise activity thermogenesis

The thermic effect of food (TEF) typically accounts for approximately what percentage of total daily energy expenditure?

• AAbout 60%
• BAbout 30%
• CAbout 10%
• DAbout 50%

Which macronutrient has the highest thermic effect of food per calorie consumed?

• ACarbohydrate
• BFat
• CAlcohol
• DProtein

A complete protein is best defined as a protein that:

• AContains all nine essential amino acids in adequate proportions
• BComes only from animal sources
• CContains no fat or carbohydrate
• DProvides exactly 4 kcal per gram

Which strategy best describes 'complementary proteins' for someone eating mostly plant foods?

• AEating only one protein source per meal to simplify digestion
• BCombining foods like beans and rice so their amino acid profiles cover each other's limit…
• CTaking a fat-soluble vitamin supplement with each meal
• DConsuming all daily protein within a single 30-minute window

Which of the following is an essential amino acid?

• AAlanine
• BGlutamine
• CLeucine
• DGlycine

Which carbohydrate type is classified as a monosaccharide?

• ASucrose
• BLactose
• CMaltose
• DGlucose

What does the glycemic index (GI) of a food primarily measure?

• AHow quickly and how much a carbohydrate-containing food raises blood glucose compared wit…
• BThe total number of calories in a serving of the food
• CThe grams of dietary fiber per serving
• DThe percentage of fat-soluble vitamins absorbed from the food

Compared with glycemic index, glycemic load additionally accounts for which factor?

• AThe fat content of the meal
• BThe amount of carbohydrate actually consumed in a typical serving
• CThe client's resting metabolic rate
• DThe cooking temperature of the food

Which is the body's primary storage form of carbohydrate?

• ATriglycerides in adipose tissue
• BFree glucose in the bloodstream
• CGlycogen in liver and muscle
• DAmino acids in skeletal muscle

Which of the following is an essential fatty acid that must be obtained from the diet?

• AOleic acid
• BPalmitic acid
• CStearic acid
• DAlpha-linolenic acid (an omega-3)

Which type of dietary fat is most strongly associated with raising LDL cholesterol and cardiovascular risk and should be limited?

• AIndustrially produced trans fats
• BMonounsaturated fats
• COmega-3 polyunsaturated fats
• DMedium-chain triglycerides

Which group of vitamins is fat-soluble?

• AVitamin C and the B-complex vitamins
• BVitamins A, D, E, and K
• CVitamins B6, B12, and folate
• DVitamin C and vitamin B1

Why are water-soluble vitamins generally less likely to cause toxicity than fat-soluble vitamins?

• AWater-soluble vitamins are not absorbed by the body
• BWater-soluble vitamins have no biological function
• CExcess water-soluble vitamins are largely excreted in urine rather than stored
• DThe body converts excess water-soluble vitamins into fat

Which mineral is the primary structural component of bones and teeth and is the most abundant mineral in the body?

• AIron
• BSodium
• CZinc
• DCalcium

Iron deficiency most directly impairs which physiological function?

• AOxygen transport via hemoglobin in red blood cells
• BCalcium deposition in bone
• CBlood clotting through vitamin K
• DFat-soluble vitamin absorption

Which mineral functions as the major extracellular electrolyte and is central to fluid balance and blood pressure regulation?

• AMagnesium
• BSodium
• CIodine
• DSelenium

Approximately what percentage of total body mass in an average adult is water?

• AAbout 10–20%
• BAbout 80–90%
• CAbout 50–60%
• DAbout 30–40%

Which is a practical, low-cost indicator a coach can teach clients to monitor hydration status?

• ADaily blood draws for serum osmolality
• BWeekly DEXA scans
• CResting heart rate measured monthly
• DUrine color, aiming for pale yellow

During prolonged exercise lasting longer than about 60–90 minutes, why are sports drinks containing electrolytes and carbohydrate often recommended over plain water?

• AThey help replace sodium lost in sweat and provide carbohydrate to sustain performance
• BThey eliminate the need for any solid food for 24 hours
• CThey prevent all muscle soreness after exercise
• DThey increase fat oxidation more than any whole food

What is the main rationale behind post-exercise nutrient timing for athletes training intensely twice per day?

• AEating immediately after exercise eliminates the need to track total daily intake
• BPrompt carbohydrate and protein intake accelerates glycogen resynthesis and supports musc…
• CPost-workout nutrition only matters for flexibility gains
• DNutrient timing replaces the need for adequate sleep

For a client whose primary goal is general health with one moderate daily workout, which statement about nutrient timing is most accurate?

• AFailing to eat within 30 minutes post-workout will negate training adaptations
• BCarbohydrates must be avoided entirely after exercise
• CTotal daily energy and macronutrient intake is more important than precise meal timing
• DProtein should only be consumed at breakfast

Within a nutrition coach's scope, what is the most appropriate guidance regarding dietary supplements?

• ADiagnose nutrient deficiencies and prescribe therapeutic supplement doses
• BRecommend megadoses of fat-soluble vitamins to all clients
• CTell clients supplements can replace a balanced diet
• DProvide general, evidence-based education and encourage a food-first approach while refer…

Why should a nutrition coach be cautious recommending dietary supplements that are not third-party tested?

• ASupplements are not pre-approved for safety or efficacy by the FDA before sale, so qualit…
• BAll supplements are illegal to sell without a prescription
• CThird-party testing makes supplements less effective
• DSupplements are guaranteed pure because they are natural

Which research design is generally considered the highest level of single-study evidence for testing whether a nutrition intervention causes an outcome?

• ACase report
• BRandomized controlled trial (RCT)
• CExpert opinion
• DCross-sectional survey

Which sits at the top of the evidence hierarchy for summarizing the totality of research on a nutrition question?

• AA single anecdotal testimonial
• BA magazine article citing one expert
• CSystematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
• DA single small observational study

A client asks the coach to interpret bloodwork and tell them which medications to stop. What is the appropriate response?

• AInterpret the labs and adjust the client's medications
• BRecommend the client stop all medications and use supplements instead
• CDiagnose the underlying condition based on the labs
• DDecline and refer the client to their physician, staying within coaching scope

Which factor is a major influence on individual food preferences and choices that a coach should consider?

• ACultural background, environment, cost, and learned associations
• BOnly the client's resting metabolic rate
• CSolely the glycemic index of available foods
• DExclusively the client's one-rep max strength

Dietary fiber is best classified as which type of nutrient?

• AA type of dietary fat
• BA carbohydrate that is largely indigestible by human enzymes
• CAn essential amino acid
• DA fat-soluble vitamin

Which statement about energy balance is correct?

• AEnergy balance has no effect on body weight
• BNegative energy balance always causes muscle gain
• CA positive energy balance (intake greater than expenditure) generally leads to weight gai…
• DEnergy balance only applies to athletes

Which best describes 'metabolic adaptation' during prolonged dieting?

• AAn immediate permanent increase in metabolism
• BA guaranteed doubling of fat oxidation
• CA complete shutdown of the metabolism
• DA reduction in energy expenditure as the body adjusts to lower energy intake and body mass

Which protein intake range (grams per kilogram of body weight per day) is commonly recommended to support muscle maintenance and growth in active individuals?

• AApproximately 1.4–2.0 g/kg/day
• BApproximately 0.2–0.4 g/kg/day
• CApproximately 5–7 g/kg/day
• DApproximately 0.05 g/kg/day

The general protein RDA for healthy sedentary adults is approximately:

• A0.1 g/kg of body weight per day
• B0.8 g/kg of body weight per day
• C3.0 g/kg of body weight per day
• D0.4 g/kg of body weight per day

Which carbohydrate source would generally be considered 'nutrient-dense' and preferable to recommend?

• ARegular soda and candy
• BRefined white sugar added to beverages
• CWhole oats, legumes, and vegetables
• DFruit-flavored syrup

Which best describes the role of cholesterol in the body?

• AIt provides 9 kcal of usable energy per gram
• BIt is an essential amino acid
• CIt is a water-soluble vitamin
• DIt is a structural component of cell membranes and a precursor for steroid hormones and b…