M&S Food launches ‘Nutrient Dense’ range to help UK shoppers boost fibre and essential nutrients

Marks & Spencer Food has unveiled a new “Nutrient Dense” range aimed at tackling widespread nutrient deficiencies in the UK, as figures show 96 per cent of the population are failing to meet the recommended daily intake of fibre.

Launching in M&S Foodhalls from 5 January 2026, the Nutrient Dense range brings together 20 products spanning salads, meals, snacks, drinks and bakery items, all designed to deliver high levels of fibre, vitamins and minerals without excessive calories.

The move comes amid growing concern about the nation’s nutritional health, with many adults also falling short on key micronutrients such as vitamin D, iron, folate and vitamin B12.

M&S Food says each product in the range contains at least one of 10 essential micronutrients commonly lacking in UK diets.

The retailer has also pointed to changing eating habits, including the rising use of weight-loss medications.

Around 3–4 per cent of people in the UK are now taking treatments such as Mounjaro, which can reduce appetite and food intake, increasing the importance of making every calorie count.

Developed by M&S in-house nutritionists and chefs, the range draws on a curated “purposeful larder” of more than 250 whole-food and store-cupboard ingredients, carefully combined to deliver both nutritional value and flavour.

All products are calorie controlled, high in or a source of fibre, and carry the M&S Eat Well seal of approval.

The nutrition criteria behind the range were developed in consultation with the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF), with a focus on foods that provide a concentrated source of beneficial nutrients relative to their calorie content.

Annette Peters, Head of Food Trends at M&S, said the launch reflects both evolving consumer needs and a broader public health challenge.

“The Nutrient Dense range is so exciting and is also incredibly useful for anyone trying to hit their nutritional targets. It is also great if customers are reducing their food intake, such as those using weight-loss medication.

“We know the use of GLP-1 medications is growing, so it’s more important than ever to ensure that even if people are eating smaller portions, we help provide them with the right level of nutrients.

“We have challenged ourselves to make products that are denser in nutrients than calories, so every single mouthful is packed full of more of the good stuff we all need.”

Fibre intake is a particular focus of the range, with long-term health benefits including improved digestion and a reduced risk of bowel cancer.

Ms Peters added:

“The importance of us all eating enough fibre cannot be overestimated. As well as helping day to day with effective digestion, long term it is important to reduce the risk of bowel cancer and so many other diseases. Products such as our Nutrient Dense Super Seeded Bread, which has 13g of fibre in two slices, are aimed at making it super easy for customers to reach the recommended 30g a day.”

Among the standout products is the H₅O Shot, a concentrated drink made with coconut water, cold-pressed ginger juice, fruit and vegetable fibres, sea moss and a blend of five botanicals: panax ginseng, Japanese honeysuckle, ginger, yellow passionfruit and green cardamom.

The name H₅O reflects these five botanicals, which have been selected and verified by scientists at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Each shot delivers 4g of fibre from baobab and Jerusalem artichoke and is high in iodine, sourced from sea moss, a trending ingredient in functional foods.

M&S has also illustrated how the range can help customers meet daily fibre recommendations with ease.

A sample day including Super Seeded Oaty Bread for breakfast, a Roasted Butternut & Almond Grains Pot at lunch and a Romesco Chicken dinner can comfortably exceed the recommended 30g daily fibre intake, though the retailer stresses this is not intended as a complete meal plan.

The full Nutrient Dense range includes:

• H5O Shot

• Dukkah Chicken & Five Bean Houmous

• Satay Chicken, Black Rice & Mango Salad

• Cauliflower Shawarma & Five Bean Houmous

• Roasted Butternut & Almond Grains Pot

• Beetroot & Feta

• Nutty Super Whole Food

• Berry Bliss Bowl

• Cocoa Chia Mousse

• Chia Pudding

• Salmon & Green Goddess Crush

• 35 Plant Salad

• Mexican Chicken

• Prawn Paella

• Romesco Chicken

• Satay Chicken

• Katsu Chicken

• Tandoori Chicken

• Super Seeded Oaty Bread

• Super Seeded Crackers

With health, convenience and taste increasingly intersecting on supermarket shelves, M&S Food says the Nutrient Dense range is designed to make it easier for shoppers to prioritise nutrition—whether they are managing appetite changes, setting health goals or simply looking to eat better day to day.