ParrotPalParrotPal Data · short read
Lidl’s own-label food packs the most protein per calorie of any UK supermarket
Key findings
Lidl’s own-label food gave about 9.7 g of protein per 100 kcal, the most of ten UK supermarkets and more than twice Tesco’s, in UK ParrotPal members’ food diaries from January 2025 to September 2026. Source: ParrotPal anonymised food diaries.
Measured by protein per calorie, Lidl’s own-label food comes out on top. The typical own-label item our UK members logged from Lidl gave about 9.7 g of protein per 100 kcal, more than twice Tesco’s 4.5 g.
9.7 gof protein per 100 kcal: Lidl own label
Protein per 100 kcal, own label
Typical itemAldi came second at 7.0 g and Iceland third at 6.5 g. Everywhere else sat between about 4.4 and 4.8 g.
Own label means a supermarket’s own brands and sub-brands: Lidl includes Milbona, Aldi includes Brooklea and Cowbelle. The figure is the middle value across every own-label item members logged from each supermarket, so it describes what members chose, not a supermarket’s whole range.
Deleted diary entries are left out here, so a figure can differ slightly from the full report published on 1 October 2026.
What this means
Protein per 100 kcal is a quick way to compare foods if you’re watching calories. Check it on the label of what you buy: a supermarket’s range varies far more than its average.
What the research says
Higher-protein diets during weight loss were linked with more fat loss and better preservation of lean mass in shorter trials, with about 25–30 g of protein a meal often suggested.
Leidy HJ, Clifton PM, Astrup A, et al. (2015). The role of protein in weight loss and maintenance. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 101(6):1320S–1329S. doi:10.3945/ajcn.114.084038
Research describes other groups of people; our figures are what ParrotPal members logged.
The figures
| Supermarket | Typical protein per 100 kcal, own-label items logged |
|---|---|
| Lidl | 9.7 g |
| Aldi | 7.0 g |
| Iceland | 6.5 g |
| Co-op | 4.8 g |
| M&S | 4.6 g |
| Asda | 4.6 g |
| Sainsbury's | 4.6 g |
| Tesco | 4.5 g |
| Morrisons | 4.5 g |
| Waitrose | 4.4 g |
Method in brief. UK ParrotPal members’ anonymised food diaries, January 2025 to 2 September 2026 (before February 2026, only members who logged by chat). Every supermarket shown was logged by at least 50 members; deleted entries don’t count.
Aggregates only: every group shown has 50 or more members and no share rests on fewer than 10. Patterns in what members logged, not causes. who’s counted · the 50/10 rule · own label.
Full report: Supermarket Protein Wars.
Questions people ask
Which supermarket has the most protein per calorie?
In UK ParrotPal members’ food diaries, Lidl’s own label: about 9.7 g of protein per 100 kcal for the typical item logged.
Cite this
Free to use with credit and a link to the source page. The figures and chart are licensed CC BY 4.0.
Credit line
Source: ParrotPal food diary data, parrotpal.com/data/supermarket-protein-per-calorie/
Citation
ParrotPal (2026). Lidl’s own-label food packs the most protein per calorie of any UK supermarket. ParrotPal Data. https://parrotpal.com/data/supermarket-protein-per-calorie/. Licensed CC BY 4.0.
Embed the chart (an image with the credit link)
<figure><img src="https://parrotpal.com/data/supermarket-protein-per-calorie/chart.svg" alt="Protein per 100 kcal, own label: chart by ParrotPal" width="760" style="max-width:100%;height:auto" /><figcaption>Source: <a href="https://parrotpal.com/data/supermarket-protein-per-calorie/">ParrotPal food diary data</a> (CC BY 4.0)</figcaption></figure>
Download the chart (SVG) · The figures (CSV)
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Please read. This page reports patterns in anonymised, aggregated app data. It’s general information, not medical or dietary advice.
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