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Boxing food rankings

The best fats and oils for boxers

All 37 fats and oils from the official UK food dataset, ranked by all-round score. Fat spread, Suet, Fat spread lead the group. Open the full explorer to rank them for making weight, bulking or maximum protein instead.All 37 fats and oils, ranked by Super Score (%Protein per kcal x Nutrient Density x estimated Satiety, each normalised 0 to 100). Switch goals in the explorer to re-rank for cutting, bulking or maximum protein.

No oil or fat scores anything meaningful in this dataset, which is accurate: fats and oils are almost pure calorie with no protein and minimal micronutrients, so they score zero on every protein-based measure.

That does not mean this group is worthless, it means it is measured by the wrong ruler here. The ranking rewards protein per calorie, and fat by definition has no protein. The practical value of fats and oils for a boxer is different: they support hormone production (including testosterone), provide fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) when eaten alongside those foods, and carry essential fatty acids that the body cannot make itself.

What actually matters within this group is fat quality, not fat rank. Olive oil and rapeseed oil are the best cooking choices because they are high in monounsaturated fats and carry some antioxidant value. Oily fish deliver the omega-3 fats (EPA and DHA) that have the most evidence for recovery and inflammation management in athletes, which is why the fish group is the better place to get your essential fats rather than from a supplement or oil bottle.

Use fats and oils sparingly and choose them carefully. Butter and palm oil in large quantities tip the diet towards saturated fat, which is worth limiting. Vegetable oils such as olive oil or rapeseed are sensible for cooking. The total amount matters most during a cut: a tablespoon of oil in cooking adds around 100 calories with no protein return. Be aware of it, do not fear it.

#FoodAll-Round score% Protein/kcalNutrientsFullness
1 Fat spreadlow fat (26-39%), not polyunsaturated, including dairy type 0.0 0% 4 43
2 Suetvegetable, reduced fat 0.0 1% 0 11
3 Fat spreadreduced fat (41-62%), not polyunsaturated 0.0 0% 0 28
4 Butterspreadable, light (60% fat) 0.0 0% 0 28
5 Fat spreadreduced fat (62-75%), polyunsaturated 0.0 0% 0 22
6 Butterspreadable (75-80% fat) 0.0 0% 0 15
7 Buttersalted 0.0 0% 0 12
8 Butterunsalted 0.0 0% 0 12
9 Butteroilunsalted 0.0 0% 0 1
10 Fat spreadreduced fat (41-62%), not polyunsaturated, with olive oil 0.0 0% 1 29
11 Fat spreadreduced fat (62-75%), not polyunsaturated 0.0 0% 0 19
12 Oilsesame 0.0 0% 0 0
13 Gheebutter 0.0 0% 0 1
14 Fat spreadreduced fat (41-62%), polyunsaturated 0.0 0% 3 29
15 Fat spreadlow fat (26-39%), polyunsaturated 0.0 0% 4 41
16 Fat spreadlow fat (26-39%), not polyunsaturated, with olive oil 0.0 0% 4 43
17 Drippingbeef 0.0 0% 0 1
18 Cocoa butter 0.0 0% 0 0
19 Lard 0.0 0% 0 1
20 Oilcottonseed 0.0 0% 0 0
21 Suetshredded 0.0 0% 0 4
22 Oilsunflower 0.0 0% 4 0
23 Oilcorn 0.0 0% 3 0
24 Oilsafflower 0.0 0% 5 0
25 Oilvegetable, average 0.0 0% 14 0
26 Oilrapeseed 0.0 0% 14 0
27 Oilsoya 0.0 0% 10 0
28 Oilcod liver 0.0 0% 8 0
29 Oilolive 0.0 0% 1 0
30 Oilhazelnut 0.0 0% 0 0
31 Oilgrapeseed 0.0 0% 0 0
32 Oilwalnut 0.0 0% 0 0
33 Oilevening primrose 0.0 0% 0 0
34 Oilpeanut (groundnut) 0.0 0% 0 0
35 Oilpalm 0.0 0% 1 0
36 Oilcoconut 0.0 0% 0 0
37 Oilwheatgerm 0.0 0% 1 0

37 of 37 fats and oils. Open the full interactive explorer to search and switch goals. Satiety is an estimate. It is modelled from the known drivers of fullness (protein, fibre, water, low energy density, low fat), not measured directly.

Common questions

What are the best fats and oils for boxers?

Fat spread (low fat (26-39%), not polyunsaturated, including dairy type), Suet (vegetable, reduced fat), Fat spread (reduced fat (41-62%), not polyunsaturated) score highest in this group on the all-round measure, which combines protein per calorie, nutrient density and estimated fullness.

How is the ranking worked out?

Each food is scored from the UK Government CoFID 2021 dataset and ranked by an all-round score. Switch goals in the full interactive explorer to re-rank for making weight, bulking or maximum protein.

General information for boxers, not medical or dietary advice. For a plan built around you, speak to a registered dietitian or your GP. Food data from the UK Government CoFID 2021 dataset, used under the Open Government Licence.

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