Review: The Energy Plan

Collins' book helpfully adapts what has worked for athletes and other sports people to us ordinary mortals. In truth there wasn't much that was new here, but if you've never considered the impact diet and exercise can make on your life and want a relatively no-fuss way of taking your first steps.

I did like his approach to measuring portions - a mixture of handfuls, cupped hands and thumbs as well as his refusal to consider calories (simply noting that overdosing on healthy foods can still make you fatter). The notion of tailoring meal composition to what you've been doing activity wise was good too.

Collins' is an informed sceptic on supplementation and probably of most use to me was the chapter on ageing (and the necessity to adapt your plan to differing needs and activity levels).

Verdict: Food for thought.