Understanding the Merchant Gourmet Brand
Merchant Gourmet has built a brand around convenience, flavour, and health, focusing on plant-based ingredients like pulses and wholegrains. The company's acquisition by Premier Foods in 2025 further aligned it with a push towards healthier products within the food industry. However, 'healthy' is a broad term, and how it applies to each product can vary depending on its specific ingredients and level of processing. While the brand champions minimally processed whole foods, some of its pre-prepared meals include additional flavourings, oils, and salt that alter the overall nutritional profile. For example, the 'Simply Cooked' range offers minimal ingredients, whereas the 'Meals in Minutes' and other flavoured pouches have more extensive ingredient lists. This means that while the core ingredients are often very healthy, the final product's health credentials are not uniform across the entire range.
The Health Benefits of Core Ingredients
The foundation of most Merchant Gourmet products—pulses and wholegrains—is inherently beneficial to a balanced diet. The World Cancer Research Fund highlights the numerous advantages of consuming more pulses.
- High in Protein: Pulses like lentils and beans are an excellent source of plant-based protein, making them ideal for vegetarian and vegan diets.
- High in Fibre: Pulses and wholegrains are packed with dietary fibre, which is crucial for a healthy digestive system. High-fibre diets are also linked to a lower risk of bowel cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
- Rich in Micronutrients: These ingredients provide essential vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins (like folate), iron, potassium, and zinc.
- Low Glycaemic Index: The combination of fibre and complex carbohydrates in pulses helps to manage blood glucose and insulin levels.
A Comparison of Merchant Gourmet Products
To truly assess the healthiness of Merchant Gourmet products, it is necessary to compare different items based on their nutritional information. The following table contrasts a few representative products.
| Product | Key Ingredients | Protein (per 100g) | Fibre (per 100g) | Salt (per 100g) | Health Rating* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simply Cooked Puy Lentils | Puy & green lentils, water, onion, oil, bay leaf | 11g | 5.2g | 0.01g | Excellent |
| 3 Bean & Lentil Chilli | Lentils, black beans, pinto beans, veg, tomato paste | 4.4g | 4.2g | 0.7g | Very Good |
| Freekeh Pouch | Freekeh (wheat), wheatberries, red pepper, onion, additives | 4.5g | 6.4g | 1.2g | Good |
*Health Rating is based on a balance of macronutrients, fibre content, and sodium levels relative to similar convenience foods.
Analysing Salt and Additives
As the comparison table shows, while the base ingredients are excellent, the inclusion of flavourings and additives can affect the nutritional balance. The Freekeh Pouch, for example, has a significantly higher salt content compared to the unflavoured lentils. While not excessively high, this is a key factor for individuals monitoring their sodium intake. Some flavoured pouches, like the Puy Lentil Bolognese, also contain added sugars, although often in small quantities. It's crucial for consumers to read the ingredients list and nutritional information, especially on the more processed 'Meals in Minutes' range, to make an informed choice. Opting for the 'Simply Cooked' line and adding your own fresh seasoning is often the healthiest approach.
Making Merchant Gourmet Healthier at Home
For maximum nutritional benefit, combine the convenience of Merchant Gourmet's pouches with fresh ingredients. This approach allows you to control the level of flavourings, salt, and fat.
- Enhance Protein: Add extra protein sources like nuts, seeds, or fresh cheese to salads based on their grain and pulse pouches.
- Add Fresh Vegetables: Bulk up a
3 Bean & Lentil ChilliorBolognesewith extra fresh vegetables like spinach, peppers, or mushrooms. - Use as a Base: Use the unflavoured grains and lentils as a quick, nutritious base for home-cooked stir-fries, stews, or salads, adding your own herbs and spices.
Environmental and Ethical Considerations
Beyond personal health, Merchant Gourmet also emphasises its environmental credentials, highlighting the sustainable nature of pulses and sourcing practices. Their commitment to sustainability is another factor in their positive image. However, it is also worth noting some past feedback from consumers regarding changes in ingredients, such as blending more expensive puy lentils with cheaper green ones in some products. For those who prioritise sustainability and ethical sourcing, the brand offers good features, but it is wise to remain an aware and critical consumer.
Conclusion
So, is Merchant Gourmet healthy? The answer is generally yes, especially when focusing on their core, minimally processed products like the Simply Cooked pulses and wholegrains. These items are rich in protein and fibre, low in fat and salt, and provide a fantastic, convenient foundation for a healthy meal. The wider range of flavoured pouches and Meals in Minutes remains a good, quick option but requires more scrutiny of the nutritional information, particularly regarding salt and other additives. By using the core products as a base and adding fresh ingredients, you can control the nutritional content and create delicious, exceptionally healthy meals. Merchant Gourmet serves as a healthy and practical option for those seeking nutritious convenience food, but as with any processed product, a quick check of the label is recommended for optimal health outcomes.
