As excitement builds around the start of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025™, new research commissioned by Lidl GB has revealed a significant shortfall in female-focused sports nutrition knowledge, shedding light on a critical barrier to women’s participation and performance in sport’.
Despite growing female involvement in fitness and competitive sport, the study found that nearly 1 in 3 women (31%) are missing out on sport during their menstrual cycle, with almost 80% of women having never received specific advice on how to fuel their bodies for exercise. Alarmingly, one in five men remain unaware of how a woman’s menstrual cycles can impact her energy levels – a concerning gap in knowledge, especially given that coaching roles in sport continue to be predominantly held by men.
And, whilst almost over half of respondents are interested in seeking practical nutrition guidance, only 18% of women reported ever receiving such information.
The findings, from a survey of 2,000 Brits, highlight the urgent need for more accessible gender informed education around nutrition. Of those that exercise regularly, a staggering 71% felt more needs to be done to educate people on female nutrition in sports, whilst over 67% had never been given tailored guidance to support their training and recovery.
The insights are revealed as Lidl hosted a high-profile panel event at the Emirates Stadium, celebrating its role as Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Partner of UEFA Women’s EURO 2025™. The event brought together leading voices in football and nutrition to explore how better understanding the female body – from hormonal fluctuations to nutritional needs – can drive better performance and long-term wellbeing for women at every stage of life.
Former Lioness and pundit, Fara Williams, spoke about the role nutrition played during her recovery and career: “Perceptions of women’s sport have advanced so much since my playing career, but behind the scenes, there’s still more work to be done. During my time with the Lionesses, we never had access to nutritionists, something today’s squad thankfully benefits from. But for many female players across the game, that level of support is still out of reach. There’s still work to be done.”
Nutritionist and founder of The Food Medic, Dr Hazel Wallace said: “Nutrition advice for women is often too focused on restriction. It focusses on cutting carbs, fats, or calories, rather than supporting what women’s bodies actually need. Women have distinct nutritional requirements due to hormone fluctuations across the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. Most mainstream advice overlooks these differences, leaving many women under fuelled, underperforming, and with worsening symptoms of conditions like premenstrual syndrome.”
“Hormone shifts throughout the month impact appetite, mood, sleep, and how the body processes carbs, protein, and fat. Understanding how to adjust nutrition in line with your cycle can make a big difference in energy levels, performance, and overall wellbeing.”
Lidl GB CEO and father of three young girls, Ryan McDonnell, added: “Findings from our research and the direct experiences of our very own Lionesses show that too many women are being left to navigate sport and nutrition without the right support. As a business committed to making good food accessible to everyone, and as official partner of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025™, Lidl is proud to champion initiatives that empower women on and off the field – starting with better access to practical and inclusive nutritional information.”
5 Nutrition Tips for Women to Feel Their Best When Exercising – from Dr Hazel Wallace
1. Eat enough
Too few calories can push the body into “energy-saving” mode, disrupting your menstrual cycle, slowing recovery, and affecting mood, energy, and metabolism.
2. Fuel up before exercising
Fasted exercise can reduce performance, increase muscle breakdown, and raise cortisol which over time may impact hormone balance, sleep, and recovery. A light snack of fresh fruit before training (like a banana or a few dates) helps protect your muscles and support your menstrual cycle.
3. Include enough carbs
Low-carb diets can reduce thyroid hormone levels, which play a key role in energy, metabolism, and temperature regulation. Carbohydrates are also your main fuel during exercise (essential for performance and reducing fatigue!).
4. Track your cycle
You don’t need a different diet for every phase, but tracking your cycle can help you notice patterns and tailor your training and nutrition to how you feel each week.
5. Prioritise protein
Active women doing strength or endurance training should aim for at least 1.6 g of protein per kg of body weight per day to support muscle repair, recovery, and hormone health. Spread protein intake evenly throughout the day, aiming for 20–30g per meal and consider adding legumes like beans, lentils and peas to your meals, which are excellent sources of plant-based protein.
Professional footballer and content creator, Freda Ayisi discussed her experience playing at academy level and beyond: “I definitely felt the most clueless about nutrition when I was a teenager, playing multiple times a week after school and at the weekend made me feel so tired, not to mention trying to keep my energy up and battle my hormones around my period.”
As the Official Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Partner of UEFA Women’s Euro 2025™, Lidl is reinforcing its long-term commitment to promoting women’s sport, health-conscious choices, and the personal development of young people. Lidl aims to use the power of sport to inspire and support people to live a healthier, more active and more sustainable lifestyle.
