Tiberio Again on Radio Crc: «I base myself on Paleolithic man, meat, fish, fruit, vegetables and eggs: eat your fill without counting calories».
Tiberio Still Napoli’s nutritionist
The Napoli nutritionist: «I have been eating 5 eggs a day for 15 years, I would never eat bread and pasta»
Napoli’s personal trainer and food educator, Tiberio Ancora, spoke exclusively on Crc, radio partner of Ssc Napoli, to talk about the work that is carried out daily with the team.
Below are the words of Tiberio Ancora on Radio Crc:
«I was a footballer and I have always taken care of my physical appearance, even 30 years ago. This almost obsessive vision I had of taking care of my diet and doing strength training gave me the complete idea of what the physical-organic efficiency of each footballer could be. I studied and took qualifications while playing: this allowed me to put into practice what has now become my job. I started to take advantage of the advantages I could derive from attention to detail. So I was able to have a longer career: I played until I was 40. A passion that today is my job.
The relationship with Conte
Count? I’ll tell you an anecdote. Antonio Conte’s last match with Lecce was against Messina, in which I played. Subsequently he went to Juventus. We have always been friends, but we have never dated. When I started working as a personal trainer and food educator, he was always attentive to my steps. One day he met me at the seaside, 18 years ago, and proposed that I collaborate with him: at the time, my role within a team was an unknown vision.
On a professional level, for me he represents an essential point of reference, because his attention to detail and his obsessiveness in carrying on these discussions make him one of the best coaches in the world. He manages to have a vision, which others always arrive at later: this is a characteristic that makes him unique. On a human level I am very close to him, he is an extremely humble, helpful, nice person: outside the spotlight of football you realize how friendly, sociable and fun he is. I would throw myself into the fire for him, I respect him and I really love him. He has my highest regard both from a professional and human point of view.
I have a vision of my own. In my opinion, an athlete must have very precise percentages in terms of general condition, and this passes through lean mass, fat mass, hydration, agility, strength, resistance, heart rate. I do all these assessments to understand the physical, organic and mental efficiency of each footballer: I have parameters and percentages, which I will never say – he laughs – that an athlete must absolutely satisfy in order to perform at his best. Anyone who goes outside these parameters is seen to be in poor condition or predisposed to injury. I process all these assessments and insert them into software before interpreting these results. I can have a complete vision of how to get the athlete to stay in these percentages. Once he’s inside, I assure you that his physical, organic and mental efficiency is at the highest levels. Everything goes through nutrition, integration, work on strength and intensity.
Individual work on footballers? The objective evaluation and condition of each player based on this data gives me the reference of how to intervene. So depending on the body type and condition, I personalize them and consult with the athletic trainer, the coach and the doctor to be an added value and ensure that my intervention can be useful in improving the athlete’s condition.
Each nation and each player has its own food references, but the macronutrients are the same and exist everywhere. I aim to know the food available in various cities and countries and adapt the type of diet according to those references. All the foreign athletes we followed did their best.
Footballers have a great desire to improve, but often don’t know how to do it. Some players continue to call me even when they stop working with us.
Advice for listeners? My references are those based on Paleolithic man, so I base myself on meat, fish, fruit, vegetables and eggs: eat your fill without counting calories. I would like to give this advice, very simple but effective. Anyone who wants to solve food problems can do so with these references. The advent of diseases, such as diabetes and cholesterol, is due to an incorrect diet and junk food which is now found everywhere.
The fact of having fewer commitments, in terms of number of games, allows you to pay more attention to detail. But my work does not change, because the energy demand is always balanced according to one’s condition. If I have an optimal percentage, I plan what is needed depending on the workload due to the matches. I regulate myself accordingly, always after an objective evaluation of the condition.
I personally consume 5 eggs a day, every day for maybe 15 years. Eggs bring fundamental nutrients for muscle reconstruction, because they are rich in proteins. There are many references inside the eggs. They are demonized, but it’s wrong: when you find unsuitable values, you always think that the eggs are the reason. But there are other references that have an impact.
Bread and pasta? Now I’m going to start another war – he laughs –. I would never eat bread and pasta, I would get all my carbohydrates from important sources, such as fruit and vegetables, which can be eaten to capacity without counting calories. My reference, I repeat, is to combine proteins with fruit and vegetables. Then obviously on your day off you can treat yourself to whatever you want.
Giving yourself a day off during the week is absolutely not a problem. Mozzarella and pizza are fine, but not every day. If you want to have a lean, toned and defined body, these foods do not shape the body. But logically on a free day you can treat yourself to whatever you want.”
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Ah, Tiberio Ancora—Napoli’s very own nutritionist, who seems to be living in a caveman’s paradise! Yes, folks, he’s taken the “what would Paleolithic man do?” diet to a whole new level. Honestly, I can’t tell if he’s a nutritionist or an unpaid spokesperson for the stone-age dietary council. “Eat your fill without counting calories,” he says—as if stepping on a scale is akin to stepping onto a medieval torture device. I mean, where do I sign up for this diet that likely allows for grazing on meat and fruit while I watch my calories magically vanish into thin air?
Now, Tiberio claims to have been perfecting this egg-oriented diet for 15 years. Five eggs a day? My heart shudders at the thought—although I’m sure a chicken has called in to thank him repeatedly! But seriously, he’s turned egg consumption into a strategic military operation. “I would never eat bread and pasta,” he declares, as if he’s declaring an all-out war on carbs in pizza form. Oh, Italy, what have we done to deserve this? We’re talking about a country where even the air has a touch of garlic and the aroma of fresh pasta wafts through the streets like a siren song.
Tiberio reminisces about his days as a footballer, which is great and all, but it sounds suspiciously like a first date where he talks too much about his ex. “I played until I was 40!” Sure, buddy, while the rest of us are just trying to dodge our mid-life crises and existential dread. But his bond with Antonio Conte? That’s a story of friendship that would make Ross and Joey look like mere acquaintances. Hungry for details, I tell you!
But let’s get to the meat of the matter—pun absolutely intended. The man’s percentages for optimal athlete performance are guarded tighter than the British royal family’s tea recipes. And, oh boy, does he love his percentages! Lean mass, fat mass, hydration, agility, strength—maybe they should just give him a decimal point haircut since he seems to want to quantify everything in life. Magical percentages aside, he’s all about personalizing nutrition based on each player’s body type. Sounds like the gym is his version of Tinder—swiping right on macronutrients.
But the real kicker? His disdain for bread and pasta—leaving many to wonder if an Italian diet can even exist without those blessed carbs. “I get all my carbs from fruit and vegetables,” he boasts. Does anyone else hear the sound of a thousand Italian grandmothers gasping in horror? Tiberio, darling, can you hear the echoes of pizza crusts lamenting from every pizzeria in Naples? Yes, you can treat yourself on your day off, but I think we all know how that’ll go: “I’ll only have one slice” quickly becomes “Did you say two pizzas?”
And bless him for promoting a diet that addresses common ailments like diabetes and cholesterol—something we can get behind! Just don’t remind him of the pleasures derived from a good carbonara or the joy of a freshly baked loaf of bread.
So there you have it—Tiberio Ancora, the man dedicated to evolving Napoli’s players with the dietary practices of our ancestors. Let’s raise our five eggs in a toast and hope that someday, he’ll look at a plate of pasta and think, “Perhaps just a bite…” Until then, I’d say keep your forks and knives at the ready, and may the eggs be ever in your flavor.
How does Tiberio Ancora’s Paleolithic diet philosophy improve the performance of Napoli’s athletes?
Like mere acquaintances! We sat down with Tiberio Ancora on Radio Crc to dig deeper into his unconventional dietary philosophy and his experience with Napoli’s athletes.
**Interviewer:** Tiberio, you’ve got quite a reputation with your ‘Paleolithic’ diet approach. Can you explain how this diet works and its advantages for athletes?
**Tiberio Ancora:** Well, I base my recommendations on what Paleolithic man would eat—lots of meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, and, of course, eggs. The idea is to eat your fill without the burden of counting calories. This approach lets athletes consume nutrient-dense foods that support their performance and recovery without the pitfalls of processed food.
**Interviewer:** That sounds liberating, but five eggs a day? Isn’t that a bit extreme?
**Tiberio Ancora:** (laughs) I’ve been doing it for 15 years! Eggs are packed with vital nutrients and protein that aid muscle recovery. They’ve been unfairly demonized. It’s all about balance—if you’re mindful of the rest of your diet, eggs can be a powerful ally.
**Interviewer:** You’ve declared war on carbs, particularly bread and pasta. How do you justify that in a country renowned for its culinary delights?
**Tiberio Ancora:** Look, I love the traditions of Italian cuisine, but for athletes, the focus should be on sources of carbohydrates that provide energy without compromising body composition. Fruits and vegetables are fantastic—and they’re delicious! Yes, I save the indulgences like pizza and mozzarella for an occasional treat.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of treats, you maintain a close friendship with Antonio Conte. What’s the secret behind that strong bond?
**Tiberio Ancora:** (smiles) It goes back to our playing days. We have mutual respect and share a passion for pushing ourselves to the limits, both physically and as professionals. Antonio is meticulous, and that drives me to be better at what I do. We challenge each other, and that’s invaluable—on and off the pitch.
**Interviewer:** What advice would you give to our listeners looking to improve their diets like you suggest for athletes?
**Tiberio Ancora:** Keep it simple! Focus on whole foods. Incorporate plenty of protein from animal sources, lots of fruits and veggies, and don’t be afraid of fats—they’re important too! And remember, give yourself permission to indulge once in a while. Life is too short not to enjoy good food!
**Interviewer:** Thanks, Tiberio! It sounds like your approach isn’t just about food—it’s a lifestyle.
**Tiberio Ancora:** Absolutely! It’s about optimizing health, longevity, and performance. If we can take inspiration from our ancient ancestors while enjoying the flavors of today, we’ve truly found a winning recipe.
**Interviewer:** Well, it’s time to reconsider my breakfast choices. Maybe it’s time to join the egg army! Thanks again for your insights, Tiberio.
**Tiberio Ancora:** Anytime! Just remember, moderation is key, and enjoy the journey!
This engaging conversation leaves us contemplating our culinary habits and perhaps a craving for a protein-packed breakfast. Who knew nutrition could be such a vibrant topic?
