- Sainsbury’s is meeting rising consumer demand for ‘high protein’ and nutrient rich food with a cross-category, protein-first rollout.
- With a +300% YoY increase in searches for ‘high protein ready meals’ at Sainsbury’s, the new range spans from innovative ready meals and food-to-go options to breakfast staples, bakery and dairy products.
- Alongside the high protein launches, Sainsbury’s has introduced its new ‘Small but Mighty’ meals. At under 350-cals, each meal is high in protein and fibre to help support nutritional needs of customers with reduced appetites.
With Sainsbury’s online searches for ‘high protein’ up +57% YoY1, the retailer is answering the call for functional nutrition with its launch of 19 high protein products. From ready meals to breakfast essentials, the range is designed to help customers eat well without compromising on flavour or convenience.
As Sainsbury’s searches for ‘high protein ready meals’ have increased by 300% YoY2, the new High Protein range features a selection of flavour-packed main meals, including by Sainsbury’s High Protein Pesto Chicken Tortiglioni (35g protein) and by Sainsbury’s High Protein Beef Bolognese Tagliatelle (33g protein). Each of the six new ready meals provide a minimum of 31g of protein with under 500 calories per serving. At just £3.75 for 400g and counting towards one of your 5-a-day, these meals make it even easier for customers to support their nutritional goals at fantastic value.
For those on the move, Sainsbury’s food-to-go range now also features High Protein wraps, salads and sandwiches within the £3.95 meal deal. New products include the by Sainsbury’s High Protein Buffalo Chicken Wrap, by Sainsbury’s High Protein Chicken & Grain Salad and by Sainsbury’s High Protein Halloumi Fajita Wrap, all with over 21g of protein per serving.
Sainsbury’s breakfast categories have been bolstered with affordable High Protein porridge pots (up to 15g protein) priced at 90p and High Protein Strained Natural Yogurts priced at £1.95 (23g protein). With searches for ‘high protein granola’ and ‘protein cereal’ having also risen +400% and +121% respectively WoW3, the new by Sainsbury’s High Protein Granola and Cereal Clusters available from £2.70 round out the new range.
In February, Sainsbury’s will also launch a selection of High Protein bakery items, including 6 High Protein Tortilla Wraps for just £1.70 (10g protein), 6 High Protein Plain Folded Flatbreads priced at £1.80 (6g protein) and 4 High Protein Buttermilk Pancakes for £1.75 (8g protein). Later this year, Sainsbury’s will also be introducing 4 High Protein Seeded White Rolls (12g protein) to its bakery section, available from 3rd June for £1.50.
Alongside its high protein launches, Sainsbury’s has introduced its new ‘Small but Mighty’ range – a selection of nutrient‑rich meals, perfectly portioned to support customers with reduced appetites. These meals are packed with nutrients, making it easier for customers to meet their protein and fibre goals.
Developed in collaboration with a specialist Registered Dietitian, alongside Sainsbury’s team of nutritionists and product developers, the ‘Small but Mighty’ meals each contain fewer than 350 calories, at least 20g of protein, are a source of fibre and count towards one of your five-a-day.
At just £3.00 for 300g, the all-new range includes a by Sainsbury's Small But Mighty Teriyaki Chicken with Wholewheat Noodles & Edamame (23g protein), Spiced Fajita Chicken with Brown Rice & Pearl Barley (22g protein) Beef & Bean Chilli with Brown Rice & Quinoa (20g protein) and Creamy Chicken & Mushroom with Roasted Sweet Potato (20g protein).
James Campbell, Sainsbury’s Director of Fresh Product Innovation, says: “Making it easier for everyone to enjoy good food is something that matters to us at Sainsbury's. We understand people have different nutritional needs, appetites and tastes and that continues to guide how we develop our products. From protein packed breakfasts and ready-to-go lunches to smaller, nutrient rich meals, our new High Protein and ‘Small but Mighty’ ranges are designed to offer people convenient, delicious food that they can enjoy with confidence, day in and day out.”
Sainsbury’s High Protein range and ‘Small but Mighty’ meals are available in selected stores and online now. The following Sainsbury’s High Protein bakery products will be available in selected stores and online from 18th February 2026 – Tortilla Wraps, Plain Folded Flatbreads and Buttermilk Pancakes – whilst roll-out of the High Protein Seeded White Rolls begins on 3rd June 2026.
ENDS
High-res images are available HERE
1 1st January 2025 vs 12th January 2026
2 1st – 7th January 2026 vs 1st – 7th January 2025
3 1st – 7th January 2026 vs 25th – 31st December 2025
About Sainsbury’s
Offering delicious great quality food at competitive prices has been at the heart of what we do since John James and Mary Ann Sainsbury opened our first store in 1869. Today, inspiring and delighting our customers with tasty food remains our priority and our purpose is clear – we make good food joyful, accessible and affordable for everyone, every day.
Our focus on great value food and convenient shopping, whether in-store or online is supported by our brands – Argos, Nectar, Tu Clothing, Habitat, Sainsbury’s Bank and Smart Charge. Sainsbury’s has almost 600 supermarkets and over 800 convenience stores. Argos is a leading digital retailer and is the third most visited retail website in the UK, with over 70 per cent of its sales starting online. Argos is conveniently available for customers to collect from hundreds of Sainsbury’s stores. Digital and technology enables us to adapt as customers shop differently and our profitable, fast-growing online channels offer customers quick and convenient delivery and collection capability.