Sports Nutrition Guidebook By Nancy Clark

This book has good general nutrition advice. I think it would frustrate someone who already has preconceived ideas about food. For example, if you’re already convinced carbs are bad or there’s only one path to a healthy body, this book would frustrate you. But it would be excellent for someone who wants to improve his or her diet and is open to all types of food. It’s not focused on any specific way of eating (Ketogenic, Mediterranean, Paleo, etc). If the reader followed the advice they’d end up with a well-rounded nutrition strategy. From there they could make adjustments according to how they feel best by adjusting carbs, fats, and protein up or down.

As a boys and girls high school track and cross country coach and a masters runner, I have found this book to be so incredibly useful on several levels. While I felt I had a solid base of knowledge for how to teach athletes proper fueling for them to be healthy, active and successful athletes in the long-term in a few short chapters, I’ve already revised my messaging to them and modified the handouts I planned to distribute to them. And the added bonus for me is that Sports Nutrition has helped me improve my diet as well and made me think about certain nutrients differently. While I am only halfway through the book I already feel this has been well worth my time to read and am looking forward to the 2nd half. Well done, Nancy!

Outstanding, up-to-date, comprehensive & usable nutrition book for both athletes & the physically active written in simple language that everyone can understand! Athletes & coaches of all sports, parents, health & physical educators and those exercising for fitness will use this book as their primary nutrition resource and, daily put into practice the valuable information in it. Nancy Clark’s 6th edition Sports Nutrition Guidebook is really “an outstanding nutrition book with great sports nutrition information in it” that will benefit everyone. The 6th Edition 2020 Guidebook is very comprehensive and extremely well organized, written, cited. As a long-time high school health, physical educator & coach, I greatly appreciate the daily usefulness of the information in this book!
— Jim

As a therapist specializing in treating disordered eating and athletes with eating concerns, I have trusted Nancy Clark’s guidance and wisdom for 20 years. Her approach in this book is direct, warm, practical, wise and easy to understand (as a non dietician!). I have bought many copies of each edition over the years and have referenced and given them to my clients when they are needing education around how to fuel their bodies appropriately, consciously and without obsession. I was so excited that the 6th edition of this powerhouse book was on its way and immediately bought 3 when it finally came out! I have already passed along 2 of them and keep the 3rd at my desk for easy and frequent reference. Nancy Clark’s book should be in every office for those of us working not just with athletes but with anyone who wants to learn more about listening to and trusting the wisdom of their own bodies.

A quick note to those who gave it a 1-star rating, claiming it was old content warmed over: they didn’t read it.

First, yes, it was published in 2019, so the latest references are likely from 2017 or 2018. It’s due for a refresh soon. But this is an extremely comprehensive sports nutrition reference. Any minor needs for updates are massively overshadowed by the quality and quantity of information this book provides.

However, these reviewers simply didn’t read the book thoroughly. When they claim that the author doesn’t address low-carb research, it’s simply not true. For instance, on page 125, she discusses the “Train Low, Compete High” research (spoiler: its efficacy depends on the circumstances). She uses research, which may be objectionable to a few of these “readers.”

Did I find mistakes? So far, just one, and I emailed the author. Did I encounter content that I didn’t find particularly useful? Sure. It’s a 500-page book aimed at people who are not already well-versed in sports nutrition (or nutrition in general).

The book contains useful information and is written in an engaging manner. It’s authored by an expert who has decades of experience as a leading educator in sports nutrition. Plus, you can earn 25 CEU’s!

But, you know, the people who have read “The Paleo Diet” or adhere to “Keto or Die” obviously know more. Duh.