Runner's World Runner's Diet: The Ultimate Eating Plan That Will Make Every Runner (and Walker) Leaner, Faster, and Fitter [Paperback]

Madelyn H. Fernstrom (Author), Ted Spiker (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 15, 2005

A unique eating plan for both novice and experienced runners--to help you achieve optimum performance and keep those unwanted pounds off.

If you are a serious runner, or are thinking about starting a running or run/walk program to keep fit and help you lose weight, forget about the traditional food pyramid--or today's low-carb diets. As noted dietitian Madelyn H. Fernstrom, Ph.D., C.N.S., explains, the eating plan that best meets the needs of runners at all levels is based on a 50 percent carb, 25 percent protein, 25 percent fat ratio. Here Dr. Fernstrom details a realistic program, individualized for each person's activity level, that will enable runners to maximize their performance while maintaining long-term success at weight control.

In Runner's World The Runner's Diet, the reader will discover:
o Why the 50-25-25 ratio works best for runners--and even walkers
o How to match your eating pattern to your running style
o How to make use of a daily food and activity log

With the imprimatur of Runner's World, the leading authority in the running field, this is the first book to recognize that runners cannot depend solely on physical activity to control their weight--and to outline a lifetime weight-loss plan that is best for their special needs.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

MADELYN H. FERNSTROM, PH.D., C.N.S., is the founder and director of The Weight Management Center at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Fernstrom has written 180 articles for scientific publications and edited one book in the areas of neuroscience, endocrinology, and nutrition. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

TED SPIKER, assistant professor of journalism at the University of Florida, is a contributing editor to Men's Health. His work has also appeared in Fortune, InStyle, Sports Illustrated Women, and other publications.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books; First Edition edition (September 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594862052
• ISBN-13: 978-1594862052
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.6 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,277 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #84 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Running & Jogging

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

137 of 139 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Not for experienced runners! October 16, 2006

By D. Brantly

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was looking for a book to help me make better choices with my diet that would help me tone up and energize my runs. This book is geared toward people who used to run and would like to get back to it or people who want to run. I am currently pulling down 30+ miles per week and most of the examples were running 16 miles per week.

This book is not a bad read. It is easy and straight to the point. It is just not for people wanting to tweak their game. It is for people that want to start or rekindle their game.

80 of 81 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars If you know ANYTHING about food, you don't need this book. February 5, 2009

By N. Craig

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this book after completing my first half marathon in hopes of getting trimmer and healthier while training for my first full.

This book's main premise is "Slow and Steady" in terms of both weight loss and increasing your mileage. Any runner already knows this! We don't need 197 pages of fluff to get the point across.

I am disappointed that Runners World put their name on this. It is written by a doctor who admits she in fact is NOT a runner herself. She also tailors the entire book to people running for the first time, or those beginning again after years away from running. A better title would have been "The Beginning Runners Diet." If you've read Runners World, (or even something like Cosmo for that matter!) than you've already got all the information this book provides.

NOT WORTH THE MONEY.

57 of 59 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Ok for beginning runners to lose weight November 1, 2006

By E. Anderson

Format:Paperback

I was looking for a book to give me meal plans and snacks to help fuel my runs. This is more of a diet book for those who want to lose weight.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Misleading title and so-so book July 2, 2009

By Warren Rooney

Format:Paperback

This is a "how to lose weight" book and not a book about what runners should eat for optimal performance. So I think that most people are buying this book expecting something else.

Also, this book is overly simple. For example, she says that a mile always burns 100 calories not matter what. I know that a runner's speed does not significantly alter calories per mile burned. But I do not believe that a 200 pound man burns that same number of calories as a 100 pound woman. I think that the author ignored facts in favor of simplicity.

If you are a walker or a novice runner interested in a weight loss book then you might get something out of this book. But if you are a runner looking for performance, this is not the book for you.

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars You do not have to be a "runner" to enjoy this book! August 16, 2010

By Jaime Balint

Format:Paperback

I read Self magazine, I go to the gym, I've had a personal trainer, I've been in Weight Watchers twice for face to face meetings and I did it once online ... so I know a lot about dieting. I bought this book in hopes of finding out something NEW that was specific to runners (athletes).

Though I did not learn a lot of NEW things from this book, it was an enjoyable read with excellent reminders of points that I learned in the past ... like keeping a food journal, eating the right balance of food, eating and working out based on my current state of health and lifestyle - not who I was 10 years ago, how to work exercise into my life even when I am "too busy", thinking about exercise as a means of helping me burn extra calories versus exercise being an excuse to eat more calories ... etc.

Overall, it was a good book. I really enjoyed it. I felt that the author was like a "coach" giving tips and encouragement for dieting and exercise versus a doctor "prescribing" a diet.

You do NOT have to be a "runner" to enjoy this book. You could replace running with bicycling, swimming, or any other exercise that you prefer. The author seems to just use running as a means of illustrating an easy way to use exercise to burn calories.

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Still reading October 8, 2006

By K. Burns

Format:Paperback

I'm still reading the book but this seems to be a book suited for novice runners or even walkers. The "running" plans described in the book are really plans for walking and walking/running. When you have gotten to where you are running, she leaves you hanging.

I've also noticed typos or flaws in computing. For example, in one example she says that a person is eating 2250 calories per day and would need to reduce calorie intake to 1450 to lose one pound per week. Earlier it was clearly stated that cutting 500 calories a day would result in a one pound per week weight loss. According to my math, 2250-500 does not equal 1450.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Poorly Named May 7, 2009

By J. T. Johnson

Format:Paperback

This is a good DIET book for people looking to starve themselves skinny. The caloric intake suggested is laughable by runners because in order to keep yourself running, you have to fuel yourself properly. The name Runner's Diet is misleading because I thought it would have been a book about nutrition for runners but it is more of a diet book for people who are looking to start running to lose weight.

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars For Novice, novice April 25, 2007

By Francis Nzeutem

Format:Paperback

I've been running marathons for about 10 years now and never focused my training on diet. I picked up this book in the hopes on finding tips about dieting for runners, but obviously, this book is for walkers, runners. I'm running anywhere between 70 to 100 miles a week and this book is clearly for runners averaging about 15 miles a week. Good book if you're in that camp.