Boots has unveiled a major shake-up to its meal deal range, introducing options specifically for those taking weight-loss jabs.
The healthcare company claims to be the pioneer of the meal deal – having launched theirs in 1999 – which has fast become a staple of the average Briton’s lunchtime.
But, in a sign of the times, they are now offering items specifically tailored to those using the appetite-suppressing jabs on their menu.
At least 1.6 million Britons are thought to be using the drugs – officially named GLP-1s – with a further 3.3 million expected to seek them out this year.
Named Boost, the new meal deal range offers 15 products from sandwiches, salads and sushi, all of which have been crafted by nutritionists to offer protein and fibre-focused options as well as being lower in salt, fat and saturated fats.
All of the products will be part of the Boots meal deal which is £3.60 for Advantage Card holders or £3.99 without.
Boots created the items after internal research of 1,000 GLP-1 users found that 70 per cent purchased food while on-the-go.
Some 49 per cent of users said they wanted high protein options available to them, while more than a third said they wanted lower calorie offerings.
Boots nutritionist Vicky Pennington said: ‘The Boost range adds to our growing range of healthy meal deal products at Boots.
Boots has unveiled a major shake-up to its meal deal range, introducing options specifically for those taking weight-loss jabs
‘All products are a source of or high in protein or fibre making them a great option for the growing number of GLP-1 users, including our weight loss patients.
‘All our own brand meal deal products are developed within a nutritional framework that limits calories, fat, sugar, and salt content in line with government and industry targets.’
Among the offerings are a buffalo chicken sandwich with 22g of protein, a feta and beetroot humous salad with 15g of protein and 11g of fibre, as well as a hot Korean chicken flatbread containing 19g of protein.
A butter chicken wrap with 20g of protein will also be on offer, alongside sweet chilli prawn dragon rolls with 8g of protein.
The average woman needs 45g of protein every day, while men typically need 55g. Most adults are advised by the NHS to consume 30g of fibre, too.
Boots hope the offerings will attract GLP-1 users as their research also found that 86 per cent said they would be more likely to buy on-the-go food if the options were healthier.
However, the retailer faces growing competition in the emerging ‘GLP-friendly’ food market.
Supermarkets including Co-op, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Asda, Iceland and Ocado have all introduced similar ranges in recent months.
Meanwhile, Pret A Manger launched half-sized baguettes last winter in a move widely interpreted as targeting customers using GLP-1 medications.
