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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Sarah Butler

Jumping beans: UK shoppers turn to legumes to save cash and improve diet

Packets of lentils and beans
Sales of higher-quality legumes went up by much more than standard varieties, recording a 30.3% increase. Photograph: Gareth Phillips/The Guardian

British shoppers are munching more beans, lentils, tofu and tempeh – while cutting back on real and plant-based fake meat – to save money and improve their diet.

The amount of beans, pulses and soya bean derivatives sold in the UK increased by 7.3% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year, led by a rise in cheap dried lentils, an analysis has found.

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