The Bodybuilder's Nutrition Book

by Franco Columbu, Lydia Fragomeni

Dr. Franco Columbu, a well-known expert on nutrition and kinesiology (and two-time Mr. Olympia) presents the most successful strategies and diet plans for achieving a superior physique. How the body utilizes the basic nutrients and how to use that to your advantage is explained in detail.

Genres: Health, Fitness, Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1985

Reviews

[Sagar Narayana · Rating 2 out of 5]

The basics of nutrition and the author's story is an interesting read. A note of caution: Some of the recommended vitamin intake numbers seem to be dangerously outdated:

Vitamin B6: The author seems to give a lot of importance to B6, but the articles elsewhere suggest otherwise. The safe upper limit for B6 is now set under 25mg, with different numbers elsewhere in the world. Nonetheless, book recommends 350mg - 500mg!! These are very high numbers and can potentially be dangerous:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_...

The modern trend is to take at least 1g of PRO/lb of lean body mass. The book says otherwise. The recommended calorie intake for a 140lb guy seems to be around 1700cal/day?! This sounds too less. The quantity of food consumed should be carefully calculated with the kind of exercise routine one has.

Summarizing, though the book is a good read overall, the actual suggestions need to be revised.

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take it with a grain of sodium (as you should with any 40-year-old book on nutrition), but it's comprehensive overview of nutrition for bodybuilders of many different body types and experience levels, with a dash of Franco's own journey thrown in. Some of the "evidence" is anecdotal, some of it is out of date, so I wouldn't take any of this as prescriptive, but it's a fascinating snapshot in time of the state of the art of bodybuilding nutrition in 1985, with plenty of useful background and takeaways.

[Moustafa Abdelhamid · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Book did not add meet my exceptions as to create my own diet or guide me through his preferred diet(s). What i did like about it is the vast information that Dr.Franco Columbu managed to gather in one book about Vitamins and Minerals. I found this section of the book very informative in addition to that the Appendix tables where he wrote down all the calories intakes and food composition that i can use when creating a suitable diet routine on my own one day.

[Arnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had this book for years. I am a former competitive Bodybuilder. I read it when I was younger. I am now 53.The dietary information is still valid and useful as I try to stay fit and healthy. Franco was a Doctor of Chiropractic, not many know that. Not only was he a successful champion, he was highly educated in his approach to health and sports. This is a good book for anyone to have in their library

[Will · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read with high detail of the different aspects of Franco Columbu's diet, though some parts may fly in the face of modern science-based lifting sensibilities.

Note to self, the best fish is in the States!

[Zooha · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on nutrition. Alltough his advice for B6 is dangerous

[Luke Hatfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Take it with a grain of salt, as there is quite a bit of outdated info at this point. Still a good, informative read though.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Week8
Great book for a refresher on nutrition. Franco is one of my heroes in fitness and a very wise person to follow. It's always good to read about what works for people and the science behind it, definitely going to try some of Franco's ideas out.

[Radko Krastanov · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written back in the time when Internet wasn't yet a thing, this book can't provide substantial value in 21st century. The author shares his knowledge about sports nutrition, but we could safely say that some of his advices are looking controversial nowadays.

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like the way this book contains real-life advice on how to keep your body healthy. He is not a far-out-diet-fad type of guy. He just wants to tell others how to take care of themselves.

[Mike]

want to read