Frank Zane shared a throwback on how his nutrition approach looked during bodybuilding’s golden era, when Arnold Schwarzenegger was also competing actively.

During an interview with Muscle & Fitness, Zane reflected on training in the 1970s, outlining how his diet strategy contrasted with that of many of his peers, including Schwarzenegger.

During a time when frequent eating and high-calorie diets were common among bodybuilders, Zane disclosed, "I found myself doing certain things, and one of them was uh not eating that much. In other words, I worked. I didn't do this deliberately, but I noticed what was happening is as I got in better shape, I was tending to, and this is not what people are doing."

He also disclosed, "I would be stretching out the space between meals and not really eating until I'm hungry.”

According to Zane, if you keep sufficient space between meals, the body first burns glucose, then moves to burning glycogen stored in muscles and the liver, and only afterward begins burning body fat for fuel.

Extending the time between meals allowed him to burn fat for longer without risking muscle loss in the short term. He also suggested keeping track of your progress. And for that, one does not need to rely too much on advice from others; instead, the focus should be on one's actual physical results.

However, the others, including Schwarzenegger, had different ways to bulk themselves up.

How Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Diet Plan Differed From Frank Zane’s

Zane’s diet approach was a direct contrast to Schwarzenegger’s. He recalled that Schwarzenegger’s nutrition plan was simply to eat large quantities of food regardless of specifics. While this approach earned 'The Austrian Oak' seven Mr. Olympia titles, Zane disclosed that it didn't work for him.

He disclosed his own diet specifications, stating, “I would basically get one gram of protein per pound of body weight, a half a gram of carbs. So, it'd be like if I weighed 200, 200 grams of protein every day, 100 grams of carbs, enough mainly before my workout, so I'd have enough energy to get a pump.”

When he consumed fats, he preferred sources such as olive oil and other unsaturated fats rather than saturated options. Overall, his method was all about moderation, timing, and self-regulation.

Now, considering his success in the sport, are you thinking of trying out his unique dietary approach?

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Written by

Ruwa Javed

Edited by

Souvik Roy