🕒 ~5–6 min read
Edited by Carolyn Kent Women’s Football Hub
Introduction: Time to Rethink the Way We Talk About Food in Football
In this week’s episode of the Women’s Football Hub podcast, we welcome Dr Sam McHaffie, performance nutritionist at Manchester City Women and researcher, who takes us inside the reality of nutrition culture in elite women’s football.
His research explores how well players are supported in elite environments, the role of staff and parents, and why some common practices—like skinfold testing and off-hand comments about food—might be doing more harm than good.
This conversation goes far beyond macros. It’s about how we shape environments that support performance and wellbeing—and where we’re still getting it wrong.
Skinfolds, Stress, and Stigma
One of the most striking issues Sam raises is around body composition testing. Many clubs still rely on skinfold caliper measurements, presenting them to players as hard ‘facts’—often with no context or explanation.
“You’re either told you’re in the red, amber, or green zone… but that’s not scientific.”
Sam isn’t suggesting body composition data should be ignored—it can have performance implications. But how the information is delivered matters. When players are told their fat mass is “bad” without understanding what it means, it can trigger anxiety, disordered eating patterns, and a negative relationship with food.
He challenges clubs to ditch generic thresholds and instead individualise results, educate players on what the data means, and communicate with compassion.
Coaches, Parents and Staff—Mind Your Language
What’s on a player’s plate isn’t just fuel— and it isn’t meant to be a conversation starter because sometimes, those conversations can be damaging.
A coach making a comment about a player’s dinner isn’t something Sam would advise.
Sam highlights how staff—especially non-nutrition professionals—can unintentionally undermine players. Whether it’s a flippant remark about portion size, or praising a player for “eating light,” these moments can cement harmful food beliefs.
Instead, staff need basic nutritional awareness. Not to replace specialists, but to speak in ways that reinforce positive fuelling messages. This is especially true in academy settings, where young players are still building their identity and habits.
Normalising Fuel: What Good Support Looks Like
Dr McHaffie makes it clear: fuelling isn’t just about performance, it’s about protection. Athletes who are under-fuelled are more likely to experience:
- Fatigue
- Injury
- Hormonal disruption
- Reduced concentration
- Longer recovery times
And yet, many are unsure what or when to eat—particularly around training.
“Players often think sipping on half a Lucozade is enough. We have to change that.”
He suggests staff offer practical, relatable strategies to support fuelling. That could mean helping academy players prep food in advance or recommending simple post-training recovery meals like a chicken wrap and a Yazoo milkshake. Timelines, examples, and reinforcement are key.
He also stresses the need to move away from perfectionism in food choices. Convenience can still support performance—if it’s part of a consistent fuelling routine.
It’s Not Just the Players Who Need Educating
One of the key takeaways from this episode is that nutrition education must extend beyond the athlete.
“Part of the nutritionist’s role is educating the whole environment—not just the player.”
This includes:
- Parents (especially in academy systems)
- Coaches and other staff
- Medical and support teams
- Even teammates
Why? Because every person in a player’s circle influences how they feel about food, fuelling, and body image. Creating an aligned culture, where everyone promotes consistent messaging, can make a huge difference to both performance and mental wellbeing.
Sam calls on clubs to invest in environmental education, not just player workshops. That means upskilling those who spend the most time with players—and making fuelling support part of the team DNA.
Final Thoughts: Changing Culture One Conversation at a Time
This episode is a must-listen for anyone working in the women’s game—coaches, athletic development staff, parents, and healthcare professionals. Dr Sam McHaffie doesn’t just identify the problems—he offers solutions:
✅ Use individualised approaches, not generic thresholds
✅ Focus on education and consistency over restriction
✅ Avoid unhelpful or flippant language around food
✅ Normalise fuelling as a positive and necessary part of the game
Creating a healthy nutritional culture isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress, education, and compassion.
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This blog was made with assistance from OpenAI (2025)
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