Lidl research reveals sports nutrition gap ahead of Women’s Euro 2025

Credit: Lidl GB

With excitement mounting ahead of Women’s Euro 2025, new research commissioned by Lidl GB has revealed a major barrier facing women in sport: a significant lack of gender-specific nutrition guidance.

The findings, based on a survey of 2,000 UK adults, show that 31 percent of women avoid sport during their menstrual cycle, and nearly 80 percent have never received advice on how to fuel their bodies for exercise.

Despite a surge in women’s participation in sport and fitness, 67 percent of respondents said they had never been given tailored nutrition guidance to support their training or recovery. Meanwhile, 71 percent of those who exercise regularly believe far more needs to be done to educate people on the unique nutritional needs of women. Although over half of respondents are interested in practical nutrition advice, only 18 percent of women reported ever receiving such information.

In response, Lidl GB, the official Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Partner of UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, hosted a high-profile panel event at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium to shine a light on the sports nutrition issue.

The discussion brought together former Lioness and pundit Fara Williams, leading nutritionist Dr Hazel Wallace, professional footballer and content creator Freda Ayisi and broadcaster Kelly Cates to explore the female nutrition knowledge gap and call for systemic change in sport.

Reflecting on personal sporting experiences

Fara Williams said:

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.”

Professional footballer and content creator Freda Ayisi shared her personal experiences from her youth career:

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.”

Supporting what women’s bodies actually need

Dr Hazel Wallace, nutritionist and founder of The Food Medic, highlighted the widespread failure of mainstream advice to consider women’s hormonal and physiological needs. 

She explained:

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.”

Dr Wallace shared five key strategies for active women: ensure you eat enough calories, avoid fasted workouts, include sufficient carbohydrates, track your menstrual cycle and prioritise daily protein intake.

Raising awareness

The research also uncovered a worrying gender divide in awareness. One in five men admitted they were unaware of how a woman’s menstrual cycle affects energy levels – a critical gap given the male dominance in coaching and leadership roles across sport.

Lidl GB CEO Ryan McDonnell, a father of three daughters, said the brand is committed to making a difference:

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.”