Not for consumption

Aren’t you glad you didn’t take this advice?

1809

Captain Barclay Allardice, the celebrated ‘pedestrian’ (he once walked 1,000 miles in 1,000 hours), told athletes to eat mainly meat and to avoid liquids during events – except for spirits (if cold) and home-brewed beer.

1902

Middle-distance runner E.C. Bredin deemed toast a better fuel than bread.

1950s

Australian sprinter Shirley Strickland, winner of seven Olympic medals, shunned soft foods and fluids the day before events and on race day itself.

1985

The successful book Diet for Runners touted a highcarbohydrate diet (80 per cent of total calories).

2010

Energy drinks were advertised as having the same benefits as sports drinks. Science said otherwise.