Now that the girlfriend's finished with all her uni stuff (coursework, exams, etc) she said she wants to sort out her diet and get back into the gym. Granted she doesn't really do any weights, apart from some crappy machines (adductors machines, etc) and sticks to cardio, but it's better than nothing I suppose...

Anyway, we got to talking about her diet and she knows it's terrible, crisps, chocolates, sweets, etc. She said she wants to sort it out, but she doesn't really like any protein rich foods (chicken, eggs, fish, etc) so I suggested using some form of protein supplement, maybe whey, to help get in some extra protein.

This led to her asking the following question: 'is it fattening though?'

My reply basically said that you can't really isolate one food to being fattening, it's more about your diet as a whole and if you consume a large enough volume of most foods, you will get fat.

Her reply: 'but is it fattening though?'

This really made me realise how little she actually knows about nutrition, the body, etc, so I said I'd get her a book that outlines the very basics of nutrition... Only problem is, I've never read a book/article that explains these basic principles and my (limited) knowledge is as a result of reading through forums, articles, etc on the internet over the past 3 or so years.

So finally, my question... Can you recommend a book that outlines the very basics of nutrition and perhaps a little advice on training?

Tray some of the ones by Anita Bean - Easy to read and not too high tech as far as I know - I have the Sports Nutrition one somewhere and it was easy to read

see e.g Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=anita+bean

I seem to recall that she's VERY fond of carbs?

Rilla wrote:I seem to recall that she's VERY fond of carbs?

Actually now you've said that I think you're right - I think her theiory was wrok out your requirement - Asusme xg perday for protein, assume 60% ish from carbs and the balance from fats - So you'd end up with something like a 60:30:30 split typically (C:P:F) or maybe slightly lower fat - can't remember and no idea where the book is now.

Probably still higher fat than many believe healthy following all the hype re high fat being bad for you.

Ader wrote:So you'd end up with something like a 60:30:30 split typically (C:P:F) or maybe slightly lower fat

When you say "slightly" lower fat, you wouldn't by any chance mean 20% lower would you?

Rilla wrote:

Ader wrote:So you'd end up with something like a 60:30:30 split typically (C:P:F) or maybe slightly lower fat

When you say "slightly" lower fat, you wouldn't by any chance mean 20% lower would you?

D'Oh - New I was eating too much - And I'm an accountant - 60:20:20 then