Marks & Spencer, the high street store, has launched a new range of protein rich / moderate carbohydrate meals, with the aim of giving health conscious customers a range of off-the-shelf weight management meals.

The new meal range, called 'Simply Fuller Longer' was developed with expert nutritional advice from nutrition and diet researchers at the Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, based at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.

The Simply Fuller Longer meal range is based on scientific research showing that protein-rich meals fills you up more than carbohydrate or fat and therefore helps you feel fuller for longer. Research into high protein foods have shown that they cut the level of a hormone called ghrelin, which stimulates hunger pangs. Therefore, because ghrelin levels are low the temptation to snack of high sugar / high calorie foods such as buscuits, muffins, cakes and sweets, is reduced. Carbohydrate-rich foods, such as rice, pasta and bread, have also been shown to reduce ghrelin, though only in the short term. After a short time the hormone then increases and spikes at a level which is higher than before the carb-rich meal was first consumed. Researchers at the Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health found that  introducing a moderate level of carbohydrates to high-protein meals did not have this effect and therefore the meals could be still used as part of a weight loss or weight management programme. M & S suggest that the Simply Fuller Longer meal range also encourages customers to eat 5 portions of vegetables a day - stressing that many meals within the range also contain vegetables and salad.

The M & S Simply Fuller Longer range will support the already popular 'Count on Us' low fat, low calorie meal range and the 'Eat Well' balanced meal range.

The new range will include lunches, sandwiches, salads and dinners, though the Marks & Spencers web site does suggest that the recipes for breakfasts are also available for those customers who want to fully embrace the concept.