MEAL PLANS

FOR FOOTBALLERS

Kick-off strong. Fresh, nutritionist-designed meals to enhance your football performance.

  • Meal Boxes & Weekly Meal Box Subscriptions
  • Delivered Fresh and Ready To Eat in 3 Minutes
Naked Chicken Burger with Chips & Chipotle Mayo
541 Kcal
54g Protein
use by 5 days
Naked Chicken Burger with Chips & Chipotle Mayo
Chicken Pesto Pasta with Rocket & Parmesan
598 Kcal
60g Protein
use by 6 days
Chicken Pesto Pasta with Rocket & Parmesan
Chicken Katsu Curry with Jasmine Rice & Edamame
606 Kcal
59g Protein
use by 5 days
Chicken Katsu Curry with Jasmine Rice & Edamame
Fajita Chicken with Brown Rice & Cajun Veg
423 Kcal
46g Protein
use by 6 days
Fajita Chicken with Brown Rice & Cajun Veg
Chicken Chow Mein with Egg Noodles & Stir Fry Veg
623 Kcal
51g Protein
use by 4 days
Chicken Chow Mein with Egg Noodles & Stir Fry Veg
Salt & Pepper Panko Chicken, Brown Rice with Onions & Peppers
633 Kcal
54g Protein
use by 5 days
Salt & Pepper Panko Chicken, Brown Rice with Onions & Peppers
Green Pesto Pasta with Italian beans, broccoli & Sun-Dried Tomatoes
540 Kcal
use by 6 days
Green Pesto Pasta with Italian beans, broccoli & Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Sage chicken with Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes, Broccoli & Thyme gravy
494 Kcal
51g Protein
use by 6 days
Sage chicken with Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes, Broccoli & Thyme gravy
Spicy Chicken Arrabbiata with Pasta & Spinach
524 Kcal
56g Protein
use by 6 days
Spicy Chicken Arrabbiata with Pasta & Spinach
Salmon Pesto Pasta with Rocket & Sundried Tomatoes
617 Kcal
33g Protein
use by 4 days
Salmon Pesto Pasta with Rocket & Sundried Tomatoes
Spanish Chicken & Chorizo with Brown Rice & Med Veg
531 Kcal
49g Protein
use by 6 days
Spanish Chicken & Chorizo with Brown Rice & Med Veg
Ginger & Turmeric Chicken with Sweet Potato, Chickpeas & Coconut Yoghurt
611 Kcal
57g Protein
use by 6 days
Ginger & Turmeric Chicken with Sweet Potato, Chickpeas & Coconut Yoghurt
Sweet Potato Tikka Masala with Jasmine Rice, Chickpeas & Spinach
482 Kcal
17g Protein
use by 6 days
Sweet Potato Tikka Masala with Jasmine Rice, Chickpeas & Spinach
Spicy Bean Arrabbiata with Pasta & Spinach
448 Kcal
21g Protein
use by 6 days
Spicy Bean Arrabbiata with Pasta & Spinach
Tofu Tikka Masala with Jasmine Rice & Greens
497 Kcal
34g Protein
use by 6 days
Tofu Tikka Masala with Jasmine Rice & Greens
FuelHub

Customised Footballer Diet Programmes from FuelHub

Ditch the pre-game scramble and post-match fatigue. FuelHub delivers fresh, chef-crafted meals designed by expert nutritionists specifically for footballers. Brimming with science (and coach!) approved nutrients, our quick and convenient meals offer balanced macros and great taste.

Discover what top players eat and optimise your diet for maximum performance with FuelHub.

Effortless Performance Fuel

FuelHub eliminates the time-consuming hassle of meal prep. Focus on perfecting your skills and leave the nutrition to us. 

Our delicious meals arrive ready to heat and eat, providing the perfect balance of protein, carbs, and healthy fats to optimise your training and recovery.

Science-Backed for Top Performance

Our expert nutritionists craft each recipe using high-quality ingredients to ensure you receive the essential nutrients needed to perform at your best.

These meals boost energy levels on the field, aid muscle recovery, and maintain top form for every match. We use no additives or preservatives, cooking with olive oil for nutritious and delicious meals.

Tailored to You

Every footballer has unique goals and dietary requirements. FuelHub caters to this with a wide variety of options. 

Easily filter our meal plans by protein content, calorie intake, and carbs to find the perfect match for your specific needs and training program. Additionally, we offer gluten-free and dairy-free options, ensuring everyone can benefit.

WE FUEL THE ELITE

Chelsea
Brentford
watford
Fulham
Aston Villa
Blackpool Football Club
Bristol City
Cambridge United
Crewe Alexandra
Derby County
Brighton & Hove Albion
Leicester City
Manchester United
QPR
Oxford United
Salford City
Shrewsbury Town

What Nutrients are Essential for Footballers?

In the world of football, every winning flick, feint, and free-kick hinges not just on skill, but on what fuels the athlete behind the game. Nutrition isn't just a side note—it's what separates the good from the great on the pitch.

No matter your experience level, mastering the science of what you eat can propel you to the top of your game. Academy graduate or seasoned sweeper, nutrition is the key.

So, what do—and should—top footballers eat? Here's a breakdown of the key nutrients in a footballer's diet plan:

"Elite athletes need elite fuel. Their bodies demand more, so they need more. That's why we created FuelHub: athlete-approved meals tailored to your sport for peak performance."

Edward Mather
FuelHub's in-house Performance Nutritionist
SENr, MSc, UKAD, ISAK
FuelHub

Macronutrients

Macronutrients form the bedrock of a footballer's diet. These crucial elements, usually consumed in significant amounts, supply the body with the fuel required for top performance and swift recovery. Protein, carbohydrates, and fats form the power trio:

CARBS: The primary source of energy for footballers. They provide the fuel for high-intensity bursts, prolonged runs, and maintaining stamina throughout the game. We know from research that players who start matches with low muscle glycogen stores (low fuel) will cover less distance compared to those who have fuelled correctly. Choose complex carbs like whole grains (brown rice, quinoa), fruits, and starchy vegetables (potatoes, sweet potatoes) for sustained energy release.

PROTEIN: Crucial for building and repairing muscle tissue, especially after training and matches. Sufficient protein intake is essential for recovery and will allow footballers to repeatedly perform on the pitch. Lean protein sources like chicken, fish, beans, and lentils are ideal.

FATS: Don't be fooled by the term "fat." Healthy fats play a vital role in hormone production, nutrient absorption, and reducing inflammation. Focus on monounsaturated fats (olive oil, avocado) and omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, flaxseeds). Limit saturated fats from fatty meats and processed foods.

Micronutrients

While macronutrients provide the bulk of energy, micronutrients play a crucial supporting role:

IRON: Crucial for delivering oxygen to the muscles, iron deficiency can lead to early fatigue and hinder endurance. Include iron-rich foods like red meat, lentils, and dark leafy greens in your diet.

CALCIUM: For strong bones and optimal muscle function, calcium is vital. Dairy products, fortified plant-based drinks, and leafy greens are good sources of calcium.

Sodium, Potassium, and Magnesium: These electrolytes play a vital role in maintaining fluid balance and muscle function. Just a 2% reduction in body water can negatively impair performance, so it’s essential footballers stay hydrated. Electrolyte imbalance can lead to muscle cramps, mental fatigue and exhaustion. Include fruits (bananas), whole grains and leafy greens. Add salt to your food to increase sodium intake.

Vitamins C, D & B12: Vitamins C and D contribute to a strong immune system, important for athletes to fight off infections and recover from injuries. Vitamin C in citrus fruits and peppers, and Vitamin D can be obtained through dermal synthesis (sunlight exposure). Vitamin B12 is involved in energy production and can be consumed through meat and dairy.

Remember, footballers fuel differently — no magic diet suits everyone. Before you make any big changes to your diet, you need to talk to both a doctor and a registered dietitian. This way, you can tailor your food choices to fit your individual needs and goals.

YOUR STRESS-FREE NUTRITION SOLUTION

Choose your meals
CHOOSE YOUR MEALS

Select from a weekly changing menu of over 20 fresh, premium meals.

Cooked by chefs
COOKED BY CHEFS

Meals are designed by nutritionists and cooked by our team of elite chefs.

Delivered to you
DELIVERED TO YOU

Your eco-friendly meal box will arrive to you chilled. Choose from 3 delivery days.

Fuel your fridge
FUEL YOUR FRIDGE

Meals last up to 7 days and are ready in as little as 3 minutes. Heat in microwave or oven.

Salford City x FuelHub partnership

We are proud to add such an exciting club like Salford to our portfolio of EFL teams. We pride ourselves on providing premium nutrition to enhance performance on and off the field for teams like Salford.

FuelHub meals are athlete approved and we are certain that they will be beneficial and have a positive impact on the team for the remainder of the season.

“Having a good diet and the right nutrition is crucial for players to perform and recover at their best, and the players get a great balance of those with FuelHub’s range of meals...We are delighted to have the support of FuelHub for the rest of the season, and look forward to a healthy and successful future.”

– James Parr, Salford City Head of Sports Science

FAQs

What to eat before a football match?

The pre-match meal must contain a good source of carbohydrate, easily digested protein and fluid. Carbs are the crucial energy source for performance so opt for foods such as pasta, rice, whole grain bread and veggies. Easily digested protein from sources like chicken or fish will aid in muscle recovery and help to avoid GI discomfort. Other light and easily digestible options are fruits, yoghurt and smoothies. Fluids like water, sports drinks and juices are a good option. Steer clear of greasy, spicy foods that may lead to stomach upset and discomfort. Any pre-match snacks should be

How long before football should you eat?

Fuelling for a football match should start the day before. We know from research that to fuel effectively, carbohydrate intake should be increased the day before a match to load the muscles with glycogen (fuel). 6g of carbohydrate per kg of body mass has been shown to be effective the day before. This should come through a variety of sources, including simple and complex carbs. Aim to consume these carbs through meals, snacks and fluids throughout the day.

What to eat after a football match?

Football is very demanding on the body and often leads to players feeling fatigued after a game. This is likely due to a depletion of energy stores. Post-match nutrition should involve protein to kick start the recovery process, carbohydrates to replenish muscle glycogen and fluids to rehydrate. Co-ingesting carbs with protein increases muscle protein synthesis (recovery process), opt for foods such as lean meats, fish, and easily digestible carbs like white rice and pasta. Milk is a good hydration option as this contains protein, carbs and sodium.

Fuelling for a football match?

Fuelling for a football match should start the day before. We know from research that to fuel effectively, carbohydrate intake should be increased the day before a match to load the muscles with glycogen (fuel). 6g of carbohydrate per kg of body mass has been shown to be effective the day before. This should come through a variety of sources, including simple and complex carbs. Aim to consume these carbs through meals, snacks and fluids throughout the day.
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