What should young footballers eat? Top nutritionists explain

This week, Ben and Mike, two grassroots dads doing their best not to ruin their kids’ football journeys, are joined by Kate and Fran from Performance Canteen, specialists in youth athlete nutrition who’ve worked with elite academies and young players across the UK.

While Ben admits his go-to meal plan involves oven chips and panic, Kate and Fran drop a bombshell: most grassroots kids aren’t overfed - they’re under-fuelled. And it’s quietly wrecking their performance, mood, and love for the game.

They dive into the biggest myths around “healthy eating,” why sugar isn’t the villain it’s made out to be, and how modern nutrition advice is confusing parents more than it’s helping. If you’ve ever wondered why your kid fades in matches, gets grumpy after training, or constantly asks for snacks—this one’s for you.

Grab a bowl of cereal, ditch the guilt, and get ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about feeding young footballers.

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