Who these choices suit

Meal planners watching protein and sugar

If beans are part of a high-protein meal, compare the protein and sugars on the same per-100g basis, then account for the portion you will use.

Shoppers comparing sugar and salt together

A no-added-sugar label does not settle the salt comparison. The Heinz and M&S tins also have different salt figures per 100g, according to Waitrose and Marks & Spencer.

Shoppers checking allergens

Read the current can before choosing: Marks & Spencer states that its No Added Sugar Baked Beans are not suitable for people with milk or egg allergy.

What to compare on the label

Start with per-100g figures to compare tins fairly, then use your intended portion to plan the meal.

PriorityWhat to checkYour needs
Protein Compare protein per 100g, then calculate it for the portion you will eat. Waitrose lists 4.6g per 100g for Heinz No Added Sugar; Marks & Spencer lists 4.5g for its No Added Sugar tin. If beans are only one part of my meal, how much protein will my serving contribute?
Sugars Read the ‘of which sugars’ line, not just the front-of-pack claim. Marks & Spencer lists 1.2g per 100g for its no-added-sugar beans, compared with 1.9g for Heinz on the Waitrose listing. I want to reduce sugar without assuming that ‘no added sugar’ means zero sugar.
Salt and fibre Check both figures per 100g. Waitrose lists 0.4g salt and 3.6g fibre for Heinz; Marks & Spencer lists 0.43g salt and 3.4g fibre for its tin. When beans are a regular ingredient, I want to compare more than protein and sugars.
Allergens Read the current can’s ingredients and allergen statement. Marks & Spencer says its No Added Sugar Baked Beans are not suitable for people with milk or egg allergy. I need the exact product label to be suitable for my allergy requirements.

Common buying mistakes

  • Reading ‘no added sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’

    Heinz No Added Sugar beans still list 1.9g sugars per 100g on Waitrose’s product information.

    Compare the sugars line per 100g when choosing between tins.

  • Judging a meal by the tin’s protein claim

    The compared Heinz and M&S products list 4.6g and 4.5g protein per 100g respectively, according to Waitrose and Marks & Spencer. Your portion, not the front of the tin, determines how much beans contribute to the meal.

    Work out the protein for your serving and consider the other foods on the plate.

  • Comparing sugars but overlooking salt

    Waitrose lists 0.4g salt per 100g for Heinz No Added Sugar, while Marks & Spencer lists 0.43g for its No Added Sugar beans.

    Compare salt on the same per-100g basis as sugars, protein and fibre.

  • Using an online listing as the final allergen check

    Marks & Spencer identifies a milk- and egg-allergy suitability restriction for its no-added-sugar beans. The current pack is the relevant label for the tin you are buying.

    If allergens matter to you, check that pack’s statement before use.

Brand and own-label references

Heinz

Heinz No Added Sugar Baked Beans are listed in single-tin and multipack formats by the UK retailers cited here.

  • Waitrose lists 4.6g protein, 3.6g fibre, 1.9g sugars and 0.4g salt per 100g.
  • The product contains naturally occurring sugars and steviol glycosides from stevia, according to Waitrose’s product information.

M&S Eat Well

The M&S No Added Sugar Baked Beans 390g tin is an own-label option for comparing sugars and protein per 100g.

  • Marks & Spencer lists 1.2g sugars, 4.5g protein, 3.4g fibre and 0.43g salt per 100g.
  • Marks & Spencer says this product is not suitable for people with milk or egg allergy.

Tesco

Tesco Groceries lists Reduced Sugar & Salt Baked Beans in 220g and 420g formats.

  • Both listed formats offer an own-label reduced-sugar-and-salt option to consider.
  • Use the exact tin’s nutrition and allergen label for a comparison with Heinz or M&S.

Reduced-sugar beans on Joybuy

This Branston multipack is a reduced-sugar-and-salt baked-bean option. Compare its current label with the per-100g figures discussed above before deciding how it fits your meal.

Branston Reduced Sugar & Salt Baked Beans 4 x 410g

Branston Reduced Sugar & Salt Baked Beans 4 x 410g

This four-tin reduced-sugar-and-salt pack is an option if you use baked beans across several meals. Check the current label for protein, sugars, salt, fibre and allergens when comparing it with other tins.

View on Joybuy

Questions about choosing baked beans

Does ‘no added sugar’ mean baked beans are sugar-free?

No. Waitrose lists 1.9g sugars per 100g for Heinz No Added Sugar Baked Beans. Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure on the tin rather than reading the claim as zero sugar.

Will reduced-sugar baked beans provide all the protein for my meal?

That depends on your portion and the rest of the meal. Waitrose lists 4.6g protein per 100g for Heinz No Added Sugar beans, and Marks & Spencer lists 4.5g per 100g for its No Added Sugar beans. Calculate what your serving contributes before deciding what else to include.

Should I check allergens on a no-added-sugar tin?

Yes, if allergens affect your choice. Marks & Spencer says its No Added Sugar Baked Beans are not suitable for people with milk or egg allergy. Read the current can’s allergen statement rather than relying on the product name.