NFPT Nutrition Specialist Practice Exam 2025 - Free Nutrition Specialist Practice Questions and Study Guide

Eating too close to workout time can lead to discomfort and adversely affect your performance. When you consume food shortly before exercising, your body is still in the process of digestion. This can result in feelings of bloating, cramping, or sluggishness, which can detract from your ability to perform at your best. Your body directs blood flow to the digestive system during this time, which can limit the blood flow available to the muscles in use during your workout, leading to reduced stamina and effectiveness.

Performance may not improve as one might hope, and while proper nutrition supports muscle recovery, timing is crucial. Eating too soon before a workout doesn’t allow for proper digestion, which can lead to less optimal nutrient absorption. Although a well-timed snack may provide energy, eating right before exercising generally disrupts the body's ability to maintain peak performance levels.