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Hard-Boiled Egg Becomes Healthy Snack Hit in the UK

The Unlikely Meal Deal Hero

In a surprising twist for UK shoppers’ tastebuds, the once boring hard-boiled egg has found a new lease on life as a convenient and healthy snacking option. Tesco, one of Britain’s largest supermarket chains, recently revealed that its “egg protein pot” – containing two cooked and peeled eggs – was among the most popular items in its meal deal range in 2024. Sales have skyrocketed, doubling since 2020 to reach a staggering 10 million pots sold last year alone.

But Tesco isn’t the only one scrambling to meet demand for these grab-and-go egg snacks. Waitrose reported a 41% increase in sales of its own version, which adds a bed of raw spinach to the duo of free range eggs. Sandwich chain Pret A Manger, credited with pioneering the concept a decade ago, sells around a million pots annually across its UK stores.

Cracking the Protein Code

So what’s fueling this unlikely egg-mania? Experts point to a perfect storm of health trends and shifting consumer priorities. As awareness grows about the negative impacts of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), more people are seeking out “clean label” options with short, recognizable ingredient lists. Eggs, a familiar kitchen staple, fit that bill to a tee.

Coupled with the protein craze that shows no signs of cracking, eggs pack an appealing nutritional punch for health-conscious snackers. Each large egg contains around 6 grams of protein, meaning a typical 90g pot delivers over 25% of the average adult’s recommended daily intake. Nutritionists note that this protein infusion can help ward off hunger and reduce cravings for less wholesome options later in the day.

We are generally seeing a move towards ‘clean label’ foods – people want to understand what they are eating. A protein bar might have a complex list of processed ingredients, while an egg seems more familiar.

Lisa Harris, Food Trends Expert at Harris and Hayes

Nutritious and Delicious

Health benefits aside, the egg pots are winning favor for their sheer convenience and versatility. Perfect for busy professionals, on-the-go parents, or anyone looking to up their protein intake without much fuss, they slot seamlessly into increasingly hectic modern lifestyles. And with the added perks of choline for brain power and a host of essential vitamins, these humble orbs are shaping up to be the smart snacker’s dream.

  • Eggs are among the best dietary sources of choline, crucial for memory, mood and cognitive function
  • The yolks pack hefty doses of vitamin D, selenium, B12, and other vital nutrients
  • As a complete protein, eggs contain all 9 essential amino acids in the optimal ratios

Alexa Mullane, a nutritionist who’s noticed this shift firsthand, shared: “It’s great that supermarkets are now offering egg pots as a healthy option for people who want more protein and nutrients, and less carbohydrates on the go.” She notes that many of her clients are turning to options like these to power through the workday while keeping their health goals on track.

A New Pecking Order?

While the egg-stravaganza shows no sign of letting up, it hasn’t quite dethroned the mighty crisp from its snacking perch – when tallied as a total category, potato chips still outsell even these surging stars. As food and drink specialist Lisa Harris sagely noted: “Crisps are not going anywhere. We’re never going to not want crisps because they are salty and delicious.”

Yet as the lines between meals and snacks blur and more consumers prize functional benefits alongside flavor, this protein-packed reinvention of the humble egg continues to gain ground. In an era where “clean eating” is the golden goose, sometimes it’s the simplest solutions that really hit the spot – or the pot, as the case may be.