Nutrition during extended-duration incidents should emphasize:

• A. Carbohydrate loading
• B. Fluid and electrolyte replacement
• C. Complete, balanced meals
• D. High-protein, high-fat foods

Answer: (C)

During extended-duration incidents, the focus of nutrition is to sustain energy, cognitive function, and recovery over many hours of activity. Complete, balanced meals supply the right mix of carbohydrates for quick and sustained energy, protein for muscle repair and immune support, fats for longer-term energy, and essential vitamins and minerals. This combination helps firefighters perform effectively, stay on task, and recover between efforts.

Carbohydrate loading is geared toward planned, short-term endurance events and can burden the digestive system when work is ongoing and unpredictable. Relying only on fluids and electrolytes neglects the broader energy and nutrient needs required for sustained performance. Similarly, high-protein, high-fat options can be harder to digest during active duty and may slow energy delivery, which is not ideal for continuous exertion. Emphasizing complete meals balances energy with digestion and supports overall health during prolonged operations.