There was a post about sports science books a couple of weeks ago. Some of those books contained nutrition too, but these books are only a nutritions based. These books are all science-related and many of them are also used at the university level. However, these books don’t make you a professional. I always recommended consulting a registered dietitian (not nutritionist) if you have any problems with diet.

Why you should read at least one nutrition books?

So, where do you then need these books, or why you should read at least one of them? We all know that the internet and social media are full of knowledge about nutrition. Sometimes it’s difficult to separate valid and invalid information.

I hope this will help you to critical thinking. Above all, I hope this will help you to understand why I don’t recommend to buy universalize online nutrition plan. We all are individuals, that works others, doesn’t necessarily work for you. You don’t need to spend whole fortune supplements and complex food.

Exercise is king. Nutrition is queen. Put them together and you’ve got a kingdom.

Jack LaLanne

Booklist:

• Asker Jeukendrup and Michael Gleeson – Sport Nutrition

One of the well-known nutrition book, which includes all the basic mechanism of nutrition, metabolism, intake, training and nutrition, etc. If you only read one book, I would recommend this one.

• Matt Jordan – Sports Nutrition: The Ultimate Nutrition Bible for Enhancing Athletic Performance, Supporting Quick Recovery, and Becoming a Faster, Better, and Stronger Athlete

For endurance athletes who want a short book that contains all the basics. Shows how your meal plans reflect on your training performance.

• Marie Dunford and J. Andrew Doyle – Nutrition for sport and exercise

This book covers the same topic as Jeukendrup’s nutrition book, but different layouts.

• Marni Sumbal – Essential sports nutrition: A guide to optimal performance for every active person

Focus on more what to eat before and after exercise and performance, including recipes. I recommend taking a look as it gives some inside how to eat. Especially if you are not familiar with what your meal should consist after/before the performance.

• Debasis Bagchi, Sreejayan Nair and Chandan K. Sen – Nutrition and enhanced sports performance: muscle building, endurance and strength

Excellent book for special group, para-athlete and those who are interested in muscle building. Include a different kind of training types and nutritional requirements for each one.

• Melissa Halas – The plant-based boost: nutrition solution for athletes and exercise enthusiasts

• D. Enette Larson-Meyer and Matt Ruscigno – Plant-based sports nutrition: expert fueling strategies for training, recovery and performance

These two books are excellent for those who follow a plant-based diet or are interested in it. They cover all you need to know about the plant-based diet and training. We know that the plant-based diet is not a barrier for high-level training, but you need to consider certain aspects, like protein intake.

FINALLY, BUT NOT AT LEAST…

There are many wonderful and information-packed nutrition books. I tried to collect here the books that cover different areas, like plant-based diet, muscles building, endurance and basic knowledge of nutrition.

Again, if you have any good books recommendations, research or other which you would like to share with others, please leave a comment below.