UK updates health guidelines, asks female soldiers to eat more, sleep longer to match male colleagues
The UK has introduced new nutrition and sleep guidelines to help female soldiers perform better in elite military roles and reduce health and injury risks.
July 11, 2026 / 10:06 IST
The guidance recommends 30g of high-quality protein daily for muscle growth. (Image credit: Dailymail)
- UK MoD issues new guidelines for female soldiers.
- Aims to boost women’s performance in elite roles.
- Covers nutrition, sleep, and tailored equipment.
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The UK’s Ministry of Defence has issued new guidelines to help female soldiers better cope with demanding military roles. The move is aimed at increasing the number of women serving in elite regiments. A rule change introduced a few years ago allowed women to apply for the same units as men, including the Parachute Regiment and the Royal Marines. However, according to the Daily Mail, only those with elite sporting backgrounds have been able to perform successfully in these roles.
To change this, defence chiefs have introduced new nutrition and sleep guidelines to better prepare female soldiers for the physical demands of the job
The Daily Mail, quoting calories a day, nearly double the previous recommendation. The updated guidance also advises them to consume 30 grams of high-quality protein every day to support muscle growth. It also recommends increasing their intake of iron and Vitamin D to help improve their overall health and physical performance
Less sleep increases risk of injuries
The new guidance also advises women to get more sleep, as experts say that female troops who sleep for less than six hours are more likely to suffer injuries and experience disruptions to their menstrual cycle. Women who sleep for an average of six hours have a four times higher risk of falling sick and more than double the risk of injury compared with those who get seven hours of sleep
Notably, official records show that hormonal imbalance is another issue affecting female troops. One in four women experiences irregular or missed periods, while one in two reports heavy menstrual bleeding because of this, which affects their performance in the field. The ministry also said that it is committed to providing equipment that is better suited for women to support them during training and military service.
New UK military guidelines on nutrition and sleep aim to help female soldiers perform better in elite roles and reduce injury risks.
To support female soldiers’ health, the UK military has introduced new nutrition and sleep guidelines, recommending increased calorie intake and more sleep to reduce injury and health risks.
“Warfighting readiness depends on the strength, resilience and preparation of all our people. I know from my own service that women have always met the toughest standards – but too often without the tailored support they require,” Minister for Veterans and People, Calvin Bailey MBE MP, said
first published: Jul 11, 2026 10:05 am
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