Students comparing sugar figures
If baked beans are going into your cupboard, the total-sugars figure per 100g lets you compare tins of different sizes without treating every reduced-sugar claim as equivalent.
Who is this choice for?
Students sharing a small kitchen
A smaller tin may suit one meal. With a larger tin, you will need room in the fridge and a plan for the opened contents.
Students checking salt too
Compare the salt line alongside sugars per 100g. The tin with the lowest listed sugars is not necessarily the one with the lowest listed salt.
What should you compare?
Start with the nutrition panel, then check whether the tin size fits how you expect to use it.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Total sugars | Compare total sugars per 100g, not just the front-label claim. Check the ingredients if sweeteners matter to you; Tesco Groceries lists steviol glycosides in Heinz No Added Sugar Beanz. | I want to compare tins of different sizes on the same basis, without assuming that “no added sugar” means sugar-free. |
| Salt | Read salt per 100g beside sugars. Marks & Spencer lists 0.43g salt per 100g for its No Added Sugar beans; Tesco Groceries and Sainsbury's each list 0.29g for their reduced-sugar-and-salt beans. | Sugar is not my only consideration, so I want both figures before choosing a regular cupboard staple. |
| Tin size and leftovers | Check the weight of each tin, not only the number of tins in a pack. Tesco Groceries, Sainsbury's and Waitrose & Partners instruct customers to transfer unused beans to a non-metallic container, refrigerate them and use them within two days of opening. | A 220g tin may fit my meal better; if I open a larger tin, I need space and time to use what remains. |
What is easy to overlook?
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Reading different sugar claims as the same result
The listed products have different total-sugars figures, and percentage reductions compare each product with its own named standard version.
Use the total-sugars line per 100g for a like-for-like nutrition comparison, then read the claim and ingredients separately.
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Choosing on sugars alone
Marks & Spencer lists 1.2g sugars and 0.43g salt per 100g for its No Added Sugar beans. Sainsbury's lists 2.8g sugars and 0.29g salt per 100g for its Reduced Sugar & Salt beans.
If both figures matter to your choice, compare sugars and salt side by side per 100g.
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Opening a large tin without a leftovers plan
An opened tin may leave more beans than you intend to eat in one meal. Tesco Groceries, Sainsbury's and Waitrose & Partners specify refrigerated storage and use within two days for their listed products.
Choose a tin size you can use, and follow its label for transferring, covering and storing any leftovers.
Unused leftovers can become food waste if you cannot use them within the label's storage period.
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Using a vegan label as an allergy check
Marks & Spencer describes its No Added Sugar Baked Beans as vegan and vegetarian, but its product page also warns that they are not suitable for people with milk or egg allergy.
If an allergen affects your purchase, check the current pack's ingredients and allergy information rather than relying on a dietary-preference label.
Brand and product-line references
These figures describe the named products, not every tin sold under each brand; check the current pack when buying.
M&S
No Added Sugar Baked Beans come in a 390g tin.
- Marks & Spencer lists 1.2g sugars and 0.43g salt per 100g.
- Its product page includes milk- and egg-allergy suitability warnings despite describing the beans as vegan and vegetarian. Check the current pack.
Heinz
No Added Sugar Beanz is listed as a 415g tin and a 6 x 415g pack.
- Tesco Groceries lists 1.9g sugars and 0.4g salt per 100g for the 415g tin.
- The Tesco Groceries ingredient listing includes steviol glycosides; “no added sugar” does not mean zero total sugars.
Waitrose Essential
Reduced Salt & Sugar Baked Beans come in a 220g tin.
- Waitrose & Partners lists 2.0g sugars and 0.30g salt per 100g.
- Its 30% less sugar and 30% less salt claims use regular Essential Waitrose Baked Beans as the comparison, not another brand's beans.
Sainsbury's
Reduced Sugar & Salt Baked Beans are listed in a 4 x 400g pack.
- Sainsbury's lists 2.8g sugars and 0.29g salt per 100g.
- For an opened tin, Sainsbury's instructs customers to transfer the contents to a non-metallic container, refrigerate and use within two days.
Tesco
Reduced Sugar & Salt Baked Beans come in a 220g tin.
- Tesco Groceries lists 3.0g sugars and 0.29g salt per 100g.
- Tesco's 30% less sugar and 25% less salt claims compare this tin with Tesco standard baked beans; check the current pack for its nutrition and ingredients.
Joybuy product options
This reduced-sugar-and-salt multipack is an option if you expect to use several tins after moving in; compare its per-100g figures and pack size with your needs.
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Branston Reduced Sugar & Salt Baked Beans 4 x 410g
Four 410g tins may suit planned repeat use, rather than a single-tin shop. Joybuy lists 2.8g sugars and 0.39g salt per 100g for this Branston product; “reduced sugar” does not mean sugar-free.
Frequently asked questions
Does “no added sugar” mean baked beans are sugar-free?
No. Marks & Spencer lists 1.2g total sugars per 100g for its No Added Sugar beans, and Tesco Groceries lists 1.9g for Heinz No Added Sugar Beanz. Read the total-sugars line and ingredients; the Heinz listing includes the sweetener steviol glycosides.
How can I compare tins of different sizes?
Compare sugars and salt per 100g first, then use the tin size to plan how much you will eat. The NHS explains that nutrition information is provided per 100g or 100ml and sometimes per portion.
What should I do with beans left in an opened tin?
Follow that product's storage instructions. Tesco Groceries, Sainsbury's and Waitrose & Partners tell customers to transfer unused beans to a non-metallic container, cover and refrigerate them, and use them within two days.
Is a vegan label enough to check for milk or egg allergy?
No. Marks & Spencer describes its No Added Sugar beans as vegan and vegetarian but also warns that they are not suitable for people with milk or egg allergy. Check the current pack's allergy information before choosing it.