It seems like every supermarket aisle is now lined with healthier options, making us spoiled for choice when it comes to hitting our nutrition goals. But which products are actually worth putting in your trolley? Here’s what MH backs to help you reach your goals without sacrificing flavour.
What Makes a Winner?
When selecting the products on this list, we prioritised higher protein and fibre, alongside lower levels of saturated fat, sugar, salt and overall calories. Taste was also a key factor, because food that isn’t enjoyable is unlikely to become a lasting habit. Plus, the products are at major supermarkets, so you don’t need an Amazon delivery for your weekly shop.
The list is built around nutrient-dense staples, with a focus on lean proteins. It’s important to recognise that no diet needs to be perfect, and it’s difficult to find a product that ticks every single box. We’re fans of the 80/20 approach, which means including roughly 80% foods that support health and performance, with room for 20% options chosen for enjoyment and convenience. Across a typical day, these products still comfortably allow space for fruit, vegetables and whole grains.
We haven’t excluded products simply because they fall under the ‘ultra-processed’ label. We know that foods that are high in calories, sugar, salt and saturated fat aren’t good for our health or weight management, and at this point the research is unclear whether processing is the true culprit, or the nutritional density of the food. For that reason, we prioritised overall nutritional value rather than processing alone.
Breakfast
Warburtons UK
Warburtons Protein Thin Bagels
Protein bread isn’t new, but these bagels make a practical upgrade. With around 8g of protein and a decent fibre boost, they offer more staying power than standard white options. Pair with eggs or cottage cheese to build a higher protein and fibre breakfast
£1.85 for a pack of 4
Clarence Court
Clarence Court Burford Brown Free Range Eggs
Shoppers swapping cheaper eggs into these premium boxes is a sign of how sought after they’ve become. Nutritionally comparable to other free-range options, they’re known for their richer flavour and bright yellow yolk.
£3.20 for a pack of 6
Cathedral City
Cathedral City High Protein Half Fat Mature Cheddar
If you’re looking to cut calories and fat without sacrificing protein, high-protein cheese is an easy swap. Compared with standard mature cheddar, it contains significantly fewer cals, while delivering slightly more protein per serving.
£2.55/180g
ARLA
Arla Skyr Natural Fat Free Yogurt
With 10g of protein per 100g and virtually no fat, Skyr is an ideal way to increase protein intake without adding significant calories. Compared with normal yoghurt, it delivers roughly double the protein – good for breakfast in a rush.
£2.50/450g
M&S
M&S Overnight Oats With Apple & Cinnamon
A mix of glucose and fructose to help sustain carbohydrate availability during longer training sessions, when glycogen demands are higher. With 13g of protein per pot, it also contributes to muscle repair.
£1.65/70g
THIS
This Isn’t Bacon Rashers
With 20g of protein per 100g and virtually no saturated fat, these plant-based rashers offer a striking nutritional contrast to traditional bacon. Calories and fat are dramatically lower alongside a useful fibre boost.
£3.50/120g
Lunch
Tesco
Tesco Three Bean Chilli Soup
Soup can be a welcome change from the usual meal deal, and this vegan option delivers around 14g of protein and 13g of fibre per pot. Beans provide a mix of plant protein and slow digesting carbohydrates, helping keep you fuller for longer. Pair with protein bread for a substantial lunch.
£1.85/600g
Heck
Heck Simply Chicken Chipolatas
Popular with bodybuilders, thanks to their relatively high-protein and lower fat content compared with pork chipolatas. Add them to a sandwich or wrap, or slice them over salads and pasta for an easy lunchtime protein boost, delivering around 22g of protein for just 148 calories per four chipolatas.
£3.25 for a pack of 10
THIS
This Isn’t Roast Chicken & Stuffing
Vegetarian or vegan, you needn’t miss out on a traditional Sunday lunch. This plant-based roast delivers a solid protein hit from soya and pea protein, along with added fibre, B12 and iron. It’s also well seasoned, making it a convincing alternative to the ‘real thing’.
£6.35/325g
Myprotein
Myprotein Salt & Pepper Chicken With Rice
This meal from Myprotein delivers over 40g of protein per pack, with rice providing carbohydrates to support training and recovery. While ready meals shouldn’t make up the bulk of your diet, it’s a convenient way to boost protein when you need something quick.
£4.25/350g
Waitrose
Waitrose High Protein Mexican Style Chicken & Grain Salad
At under 300 calories per bowl, this works well as the foundation of a lunchtime meal deal rather than a full meal on its own. A mix of chicken, quinoa, beans and veg provides protein, fibre and complex carbohydrates, offering a balanced option.
£4.80/255g
YO!
YO! Crispy Salmon Dragon Rolls
At around 350 calories per pack, sushi can be a lighter meal deal option. The rice provides quickly digestible carbohydrates that can help top up glycogen, while the salmon contributes omega-3 fatty acids linked to heart health. It’s not especially high in protein, but it’s a balanced on-the-go choice.
£4.80/202g
Dinner
Pizza Express
Pizza Express Pollo Ad Astra (half pizza portion size)
If Friday night usually means takeaway pizza, this supermarket option can be a practical swap. Half a pizza delivers around 27g of protein from the chicken and cheese for roughly 520 calories, far less than the 1,000 calories often found in half a typical takeaway pizza.
£6/450g
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s Edamame Beans (as a side)
Edamame beans are a simple way to boost the protein content of your meals, delivering around 13.8g of protein and 4.5g of fibre per 100g. Use them to top salads or serve them alongside meals that need an easy veg and protein addition.
£2/175g
Beyond Meat
Beyond Meat Plant-Based Patties
If you’re vegetarian or vegan, or are simply cutting down on meat but still want a satisfying burger, these Beyond Meat Beyond Burger patties deliver around 12g of protein per burger, made from pea protein. Compared with many beef burgers, they’re typically lower in calories and saturated fat.
£3.25 for 2 patties
The Gym Kitchen
The Gym Kitchen Chicken Paella
Ready meals aren’t always ideal, but this high-protein chicken paella can work well when you’re a bit short on time. One pack provides around 25g of protein for 381 calories, alongside carbohydrates from rice to support training and recovery.
£4 /400g
M&S
M&S Cod, Scallop & Prawn Linguine
This cod, scallop and prawn linguine ready meal from M&S delivers around 30g of protein per pack. With seafood and wholewheat pasta, it also provides carbohydrates to support training while keeping fat content relatively low.
£6/390g
M&S
M&S Peri Peri Chicken Kebabs
These peri peri chicken kebabs from M&S provide a lean protein option, delivering around 22g of protein per 100g while keeping fat content low. Made with chicken breast and a spicy marinade, they’re an easy addition to salads and rice without skimping on taste.
£5.50/364g
Snacks
Heinz
Heinz Beans Snap Pots
Heinz Beanz Snap Pots deliver nearly 9g of plant protein and over 7g of fibre per pot, making them a surprisingly filling snack. The tomato sauce does push sugar and salt levels up slightly, but the small portion keeps things reasonable in the context of a healthy diet.
£3.50/4 x 200g
Ehrmann
Ehrmann High Protein Mousse
This chocolate mousse delivers around 20g of protein per pot while keeping calories relatively low. With minimal fat and around 150 cals per serving, it can work as a quick snack.
£1.95/200g
Tesco
Tesco Sardines In Tomato Sauce
Sardines are having a comeback thanks to their impressive nutrient profile and low cost. Half a small tin contains over 11g of protein along with a good dose of omega-3 fatty acids, delivering high-quality protein and essential fats for relatively little spend.
60p/120g
M&S
M&S Barbecue High Protein Rice Cakes
Rice cakes aren’t typically known for their protein content, but these versions add pea protein and lentil flour to push protein higher. This makes them a more substantial alternative to standard rice cakes, perfect for when you want something crunchy between meals instead of crisps.
£2.10/133g
Tesco
Tesco Fat Free Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese has become a TikTok favourite, and for good reason. With just over 10g of protein per 100g and very little fat, it’s an easy way to add protein to snacks.
£1.65/300g
Eat Natural
Eat Natural Fruit & Nut Bars
These nut bars aren’t as protein dense as purpose-built bar supplements, but bars like this tend to lean more towards whole ingredients, with peanuts, dark chocolate and soya. That puts them closer to a traditional nut snack, and is a palatable option when you want something sweet.
£3/3 x 40g
Dessert
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s Sweet & Salty Popcorn
Sweet and salty versions like this can contain a fair amount of added sugar and salt, so they’re best treated as an occasional snack.
99p/110g
GU
Gü Dark Chocolate & Ganache Mousse
This dark chocolate mousse keeps calories quite modest for a dessert. At around 263 cals per ramekin, it delivers a rich choc hit without blowing calorie count.
£2.75/2 x 70g
The Gym Kitchen
The Gym Kitchen Maple Pancakes
With 26g of protein per pack and relatively modest calories, these pancakes offer a sweeter option that still bolsters your daily protein intake.
£2 for a pack of 4
Tesco
Tesco Perfectly Imperfect Frozen Mixed Berries
Frozen berries make an easy dessert when mixed with yoghurt, ice cream or pancakes.
£2.99/1kg
GetPro
GetPro Chocolate Hazelnut Pudding
With 18g of protein and a chocolate hazelnut flavour that delivers on taste, GetPro pudding is an easy way to end the day on something sweet.
£1.23/180g
Alpro
Alpro High Protein Mixed Berries Yoghurt
Plant-based options have also entered the high-protein pudding space. This Alpro pot delivers 15g of protein from soya while keeping calories relatively modest.
£1.50/200g
Discover more nutritional advice via our exclusive guides, only available on the MH app. Click here to access them now.
Photography: Matilda Bourne
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Kate is a fitness writer for Men’s Health UK where she contributes regular workouts, training tips and nutrition guides. She has a post graduate diploma in Sports Performance Nutrition and before joining Men’s Health she was a nutritionist, fitness writer and personal trainer with over 5k hours coaching on the gym floor. Kate has a keen interest in volunteering for animal shelters and when she isn’t lifting weights in her garden, she can be found walking her rescue dog.