High street giant Marks & Spencer is preparing to launch a pioneering new line of food specifically designed for the growing number of Britons using weight loss injections. The 20-product 'Nutrient Dense' range, set to hit shelves on January 5, is crafted to combat potential nutritional deficiencies in customers whose appetites are suppressed by GLP-1 medications like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro.
Addressing a Growing Market and a Nutritional Gap
The move responds to a significant shift in consumer health trends. It is estimated that over 1.5 million people in the UK are now accessing these jabs privately, with NHS prescriptions having soared by 900 per cent since 2020. While effective for weight management, these drugs, which mimic a gut hormone to increase fullness, can lead to reduced food intake. This makes it challenging to consume enough essential vitamins, minerals, and crucially, fibre.
Annette Peters, Head of Food Innovations at M&S, explained the rationale: "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 levels of nutrients." She added that the team challenged itself to create items where "every single mouthful is packed full of more of the good stuff we all need."
Fibre Takes Centre Stage in the New Range
A core focus of the collection is tackling the UK's widespread fibre deficit. Most adults fail to meet the recommended 30g of fibre daily, a shortfall that can be exacerbated for those on appetite-suppressing drugs, leading to issues like constipation. The new M&S range prioritises making this target achievable.
Key products include a Nutrient Dense Super Seeded Bread, containing 13g of fibre in just two slices, and a Roasted Butternut Squash & Almond Grain Pot, also boasting 13g per serving. The line extends to salads, yoghurt bowls, and ready dinners like Romesco Chicken and Prawn Paella, all formulated to be 'perfectly portioned' with high amounts of nutrients per calorie.
Each product contains at least one key micronutrient often lacking in UK diets, such as vitamin D, B12, iron, or folate. The development was supported by insights from the British Nutrition Foundation.
Industry Trend and Ongoing Health Considerations
M&S is not alone in spotting this emerging market. Earlier this month, Morrisons announced a partnership to create 'GLP-1 friendly ready meals', while in the US, Nestle has launched a similar initiative for frozen foods. Consumer experts suggest this trend will only grow, especially if oral versions of weight-loss drugs become widely available.
However, the article also notes that questions remain about the side-effects of GLP-1 medicines, which can include nausea, vomiting, and other issues that strain the body. Nutritionists emphasise that for the jabs to work effectively and safely, maintaining adequate fibre intake is critical, as it helps foster gut bacteria that manage hunger.
"The importance of us all eating enough fibre cannot be overestimated," stated Annette Peters. "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."
The launch coincides with news that a pill version of Wegovy has been approved in the US, with its maker, Novo Nordisk, working towards a UK submission for an oral form in 2026.
