Eating for Endurance

by Ellen Coleman RD MA MPH

The standard guide to nutrition for anyone who exercises or plays sports, this updated reference describes the fuel the body needs and how best to adjust diet and eating habits for both health and performance. It includes the latest findings on carbohydrate loading, fat as fuel, and the role of protein, vitamins, and minerals, along with recent data on caffeine, sugar, and the critical role of hydration. Written in a straightforward, friendly style, the book offers specific advice for different levels of fitness and different types of activities.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction

196 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Cyberamazing]

This book will be useful if you are not familiar with the basics of nutrition, otherwise not much new information.

[Alex Love · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little outdated but still good science

[zoe nicol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Coleman lays out a fairly concise, easily read introduction to endurance training. The topics: oxygen's affect on performance, carb verses protein fuel usage, the benefit (or lack thereof) of supplements, are important to understanding how the body work when faced with prolonged, demanding activity. The book is light on the references (one footnote every 4-5 pages) but given the 1992 publication, that's not entirely shocking.
But my trust of the text came into question while looking Figure 19. It charts the number of calories burned during 10 minutes of continuous activity. It accounts for weight, and for time, but makes no mention of heart rate. If caloric burn is related to work in the body, then heart rate is *the* variable to watch. Also, the numbers for swimming activity (which is my primary interest) are almost useless for anyone who swims on a regular basis. (To use 20 yards per minute as a point of reference borders on nonsensical.)
Given the multiple references to swimming as it relates to other activities, it makes me wonder whether or not there are other 'factual' items equally wonky in the text.

[Cherie]

B A lot of the stuff I already knew, but had some interesting info.