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

Sales of beans, lentils and soya bean derivatives on rise while Britons buy less real and fake meat

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.