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Performance Nutrition for Winter Sports

Posted: 01/12/2006 In Category(s): Reviews :: Book Reviews

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By: Monique Ryan
Publisher: Peak Sports Press

ISBN: 0-9746254-5-0

Although there are numerous books on nutrition for athletes, until now, none focused on those who head out for adventures and sports in the snow. Performance Nutrition for Winter Sports by Monique Ryan has, however, now done that. It is written for serious alpine skiers, cross-country skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers and even ice hockey players.

This 282-page book starts off as a solid reference on the current science of sports nutrition. Monique Ryan has previously authored two books and numerous articles and her experience in explaining complicated subject matter is apparent. For the most part, she presents the information with clear language that is understandable to non-scientists who have a strong desire to improve performance.

The final quarter of the book brings all the information together into usable eating plans with chapters for the specific needs of different athletes. Highly aerobic endurance sports (cross-country skiing and snowshoeing) require different eating regimens than the more anaerobic power sports of alpine skiing and snowboarding.

While Performance Nutrition for Winter Sports may tend to overwhelm the non-competitive athlete, there is a lot of useful advice for weekend warriors on improving diet that can help in everyday life.

Overall, the information throughout is excellent. The minor quibbles we have are more about layout and presentation. For example, there are two tables with glycemic index ratings of different foods (one in the front and one in the appendix) that overlap in some cases and contradict each other elsewhere. In addition, the information on supplements that are good, bad or useless could be more accessible since in this edition it is scattered around the book, instead of gathered in one tidy place for good reference.

This is definitely a book that should be in the library of anyone who takes their winter sports seriously. There is nothing quite like it.

SNEWS® Rating: 4.5 hands clapping (1 to 5 hands clapping possible, with 5 clapping hands representing utter perfection)

Suggested Retail: $19.95 each

For more information: www.Peaksportspress.com or 1-800-234-8356

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