Meet the Winners of the 2025 Women’s Fitness Nutrition Awards

Louise Pyne is an experienced freelance health writer and registered nutritionist at Nutrable, a personalised coaching nutrition service (nutrable.com). She takes a holistic view on wellness and believes in treating the cause rather than the symptoms of health conditions. Find out more at louisepynenutrition.com and follow her online at instagram.com/loulou_nutrition

Dr Vegan is a trusted supplement brand, so it’s no surprise that its collagen capsules are truly gimmick-free. Helping to hone a glow from the inside out, the capsules had an impact on my skin in just a few weeks of testing. My complexion looked more plump and glowy – I have no complaints!

I love a product that meets its promises, and this fruity-flavoured collagen powder does exactly that. Clinically proven to reduce fine lines by almost 33 per cent, I saw noticeable results in the form of dewier skin within a couple of weeks.

With high-quality dosages of 500mg glucosamine hydrochloride and 400mg chondroitin, these easily absorbable supplements helped to keep my gym-weary body happy in just a few weeks of use. My joints soon felt less stiff and more agile. Result!

If you’re looking for a one-stop shop to help joints, this super supplement features a whopping 10 active ingredients including glucosamine and collagen to help protect from wear and tear. The sachet formula is particularly useful if you don’t like swallowing pills, and tastes great in water, smoothies or juices.

These probiotics are worth every penny to help keep immunity tip top during winter. Made with specific strains that have been scientifically proven to support the upper respiratory tract during the winter months, these are a must-buy to stash in your health toolkit.

If you’re looking for a product that makes it easy to ace your daily fibre goals, this gut booster is for you. The
low-FODMAP certified mix of five prebiotic fibres helps to restore balance in the gut, making it a good buy
if you suffer from bloating or cramps.

Fermented drinks are all the rage for helping to support a diverse gut microbiome. If you’re looking for a product with kudos, I give this Bio&Me buy five stars because, with no added sugars or nasty preservatives yet over 100 billion gut-friendly cultures, you can be sure of a product that fully lives up to the nutritional hype.

This cherry-flavoured nighttime blend is just lovely. With all the goodies you need for a good night’s sleep, including magnesium, ashwaghanda and functional mushrooms, it definitely helped me feel more relaxed and prepared for a blissful slumber.

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Easy to knock back in the morning, each health shot contains chicory inulin prebiotic fibre along with one billion probiotic bacteria to help rebalance the gut environment. Clinically proven to reach the gut alive, every shot comes in a refreshingly fruity flavour, making it a simple (and tasty) part of my morning routine.

I was impressed with Dr. Vegan’s easy-to-take capsules. Gentle on the stomach, the two-a-day dose is perfect if, like me, you prefer to take your capsules together for ease. That said, they can be taken separately too, and provide a well-balanced mix of essentials and zero unnecessary fillers.

Ideal if you need to fill nutrient gaps, this sports bundle offers peace of mind for fitness enthusiasts looking to improve performance and recovery. Each daily tear strip combines a trio of capsules – a comprehensive multivitamin, omega-3 and probiotic – which can all be taken together to make sure you hit your nutritional goals.

Christine Bailey is an award-winning registered performance nutritionist, functional nutrition practitioner and author with over 20 years of experience across the health, fitness and wellbeing sectors. She brings science-led, personalised nutrition to her clinical and consultancy work. Her latest book Personalised Nutrition for Menopause (Singing Dragon, £8) is due out later this year. To find out more, visit christinebailey.co.uk

This is a great-tasting and innovative recovery product. Good for gym sessions and less intense training, it provides a balanced 1:1 ratio of protein to carbohydrates, with 20g of clear whey protein isolate and 21g of carbohydrates. The use of whey protein isolate ensures rapid absorption, and the hydrolysed protein is even faster, making it an excellent choice for immediate recovery. The product is designed to be a light and refreshing drink, rather than a traditional thick shake. Its low sugar content (1.5g) is a notable feature, and it’s Informed Sport certified, providing the highest level of quality assurance for all athletes.

Veloforte Nova is a plant-based recovery shake with a strong focus on natural ingredients. Each 67g serving provides 238 calories, and 13.5g of complete plant-based protein from a blend of pea, brown rice and pumpkin protein. It contains 40.7g of carbohydrates, with a notable 29.7g of sugar from cane sugar, freeze-dried banana powder and maize starch. This gives it a carb-to-protein ratio of approximately 3:1. While the protein may be on the lower side compared to other brands it could be boosted by mixing with milk rather than water. The product also includes a beneficial dose of electrolytes, with a total of 250mg of sodium per serving from pink Himalayan salt and coconut water powder. The inclusion of natural adaptogen maca root is a unique feature. Made from 100 per cent natural ingredients.

An excellent, natural electrolyte powder for rehydration and performance, each serving provides 75mg caffeine (from guarana), 275mg sodium and 175mg potassium, along with 22g carbohydrates from cane sugar and coconut-water powder. Great tasting and all-natural ingredients.

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This product provides 225mg of elemental magnesium from a blend of citrate, bisglycinate and taurate. The addition of beetroot powder provides a source of dietary nitrates which may enhance performance. The product also contains vitamin D3. There’s a recommended dose of three capsules per day, ideally one hour before exercise, to support performance.

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This is a high-sodium, zero-carb electrolyte for heavy sweat losses, endurance training and hot or humid conditions. It contains 1,000mg of sodium per serving, and is optimal for those with very high sweat sodium concentrations. The formula is Informed Sport certified, uses stevia as a natural sweetener and has clean refreshing flavours.

Healthspan Activ Hydrate is an effervescent tablet for general hydration and moderate exercise. With 300mg sodium per litre, it is on the lower end of sports performance guidelines but well-suited for shorter sessions, cooler climates or lighter sweaters. Informed Sport certified, its tablet format makes it easy to use. Great flavours and dissolves well.

This is a well-formulated energy gel that provides 25g of carbohydrates, from a 2:1 maltodextrin-to-fructose blend. It contains 65mg of sodium, along with potassium and calcium, to replace lost electrolytes. The gel has a light, smooth consistency, is made with natural fruit extracts, does not require water and is easy to swallow.

A great option if you prefer natural, real-food fuel over gels, these are made from concentrated fruit juices and beet sugar, providing up to 7.3g of carbohydrates per chew. Soft and easy to digest, they also contain 98mg of sodium and 50mg of potassium per pack, with natural electrolytes like Himalayan salt and coconut-water powder. The chews are formulated with both glucose and fructose.

This high-potency formula contains 1,000mg of EPA and 100mg of DHA, the EPA concentration being beneficial for its anti-inflammatory properties and potential to reduce muscle fatigue and soreness. The highly purified fish oil concentrate is an Informed Sport tested, so safe for competition. They are large capsules, though, which not everyone found easy to swallow.

A comprehensive formula with a clinical dose of BacoMind (300mg), shown to improve memory recall and mental energy, plus phosphatidylserine (200mg) for general cognitive function. The supplement also contains B vitamins for neurotransmitter synthesis and energy production, plus biloba and zinc citrate. Turmeric levels are low, and there’s no Informed Sport certification.

Laura Clark is a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant who specialises in making evidence-based nutrition accessible and practical. With a background in clinical and brand consultancy, she offers expert insights that bridge the gap between science and real-life habits. Passionate about supporting women to feel strong and confident, Laura focuses on the dynamic relationship between food, mindset and environment. Visit lecnutrition.co.uk

ESN’s bars scored highly for their soft texture and enjoyable flavours [there are 13 to choose from such as Cookie Dough, Peanut Caramel and Strawberry Yogurt], with Pistachio White Chocolate being a particular favourite! With 14g protein and low sugar, they support satiety and recovery well. The fibre content is lower than some rivals, but overall, these bars balanced taste and function effectively.

Veloforte’s new Crunch Bars came out on top, with a natural taste and crunchy texture that set them apart from the dense style of many protein bars. With good protein content [20g, plus 5g collagen], no artificial aftertaste and a broad flavour appeal, these were enjoyable to eat and a clear favourite overall.

HiLo bars excel nutritionally with 20g protein, high fibre and very low sugar, supporting energy and satiety. While the Chocolate & Salted Caramel flavour felt a little chewy for some testers, others valued its satisfying nature. Despite this, they remain a strong option for those prioritising the nutritional profile alongside convenience.

ESN’s vegan bar offers a rich chocolatey flavour and a solid protein boost, making it a convenient snack for recovery. While slightly sweet and dense for some palates, it delivers dependable nutrition in an indulgent style. A good option if you enjoy dessert-like flavours in your protein bar.

This pre-workout impressed with its smooth mixability and a fruity flavour. It combines ingredients aimed at boosting energy and blood flow, with a balanced caffeine content compared to rivals. Testers felt a tangible lift in workouts without overwhelming side effects. Label clarity could be better, but overall, this is the strongest option on test.

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MOVE’s sachet format is convenient and the powder mixes well, offering a bold lime flavour. At 228mg caffeine, it delivers a strong energy hit, which some testers found motivating but others felt was too much. It’s a powerful option for high-intensity sessions, but not suited to everyone.

ESN Designer Whey offers 23g protein per serving with very low sugar, giving it one of the strongest nutritional profiles tested. The mixability was smooth, and flavours like Pistachio were especially popular [there are 11 other flavours to choose from]. It delivers excellent protein density while maintaining enjoyable taste, making it both functional and appealing.

Isopure Whey Isolate delivered an exceptionally lean profile, with 25g protein, almost no carbs or fat, and only 100 calories per serving. The chocolate flavour was smooth and balanced, but not as distinctive or versatile as other powders tested. This is a clean [only six ingredients] and dependable option, even though less exciting in taste.

Healthspan’s Plant Protein mixed smoothly without clumping and was light on the stomach, avoiding bloating. The vanilla flavour was natural and not overly sweet, with protein coming from three plant-based sources [pea, pumpkin and brown rice]. At 20 g protein per serving, it offered excellent balance and digestibility, scoring highly across both nutritional profiles and enjoyment.

Veloforte Troppo impressed with its smooth mixability and refreshing, more savoury-leaning, flavour profile. Each serving provides 20g protein, making it a strong recovery option. The unusual combination of mango, coconut and lemongrass surprised testers positively, though some still preferred chocolate-based shakes. A high-quality, well-formulated vegan option.

Healthspan’s creatine was easy to dissolve, tasteless and left no residue, making daily use straightforward. While less convenient for travel, it offers reliable dosing and Creapure certification for assured purity. It is slightly more expensive than the ESN Ultrapure Creatine Powder (£28.99), but is a trusted and effective option backed by strong quality assurance.

ESN’s capsule format makes creatine supplementation simple and mess-free. While swallowing three large capsules per day was initially a challenge, the format avoids any mixing or taste issues. They’re slightly pricier than some powders, but still cost-effective compared with some sachets. These are a convenient alternative for those who dislike powders.