Tesco 10p chicken noodles are rubbish...

Sainsbury basic range is the same as it's "Taste the difference" range I've been told. For example, a basic range salmon and a taste the difference (TTD) salmon were probably reared in the same water, fed the same food, etc. The TTD salmon is a higher price because it is better proportioned, has a better colour, etc. whereas the basic range salmon might be a slightly duller colour.
Similar story with Sainsbury's beans apparently...

We buy own brand stuff wherever possible, we also shop in Lidl as much as we can. Food is getting expensive, food for a week for two people is verging on £45, we used to get a similar amount for about half of that four years ago...

careful with lidl products though, you need to read the tags as some of it can have very high salt content (thinking smoked salmon, meat) and other additives that i'd rather not eat. However they are pretty good for other things, namely fruit juice, jam, herbs rice pasta etc.

We tend to buy much of our fresh food from there as its loads cheaper than Co-op/Morissons...

As a general rule I don't like own brand stuff, find it bland in comparison. Last own brand thing I tried recently was a 50p Asda cheese and tomato pizza - never again, bland wasn't the word in that case...

Do you ever risk own-brand 'Cola'?



I did, and will be heading to Lidl quite soon as there were some very positive comments about reindeer steaks.

I wonder why?

That's possibly why!

My parents swear that Aldi's meat is the best they've ever had from any supermarket - much better quality than Tesco's pre-packed meat, or so they say.

Tried most of the cola Paul, but let's face it, I won't even tolerate Pepsi



Yeah, but Tesco's cheap pizzas weren't that bad

The M&S one's quite odd. I do wonder if I'm the only person who likes Dr Pepper....most people think it's vile

Agreed the jams are lovely. We split our shopping between a few stores but thanks for warning

Don't think I've ever tried it, maybe add one to the next Tesco order for a laugh...

On the Kelloggs thing - I just got back from Asda. I generally eat two different cereals. One is Dorset Cereals Muesli and the other is Bran Flakes. I chose these two based on nutritional compromises that I researched for hours about a year ago. Anyway, I re-read the Asda and Kellogg labels today on Bran Flakes. There's more sugar, fat and calories in the Asda stuff, and less fibre.

The basics / value ranges vary a lot between the supermarkets.

For example, the Tesco Value brown bread is horrible and their value tinned tomatoes are often quite dodgy. However, Sainsbury's cheap tomatoes are good and their value thick white slice is really nice. I really like the Asda basics sliced brown.

The 9p noodles are the same from any supermarket. I usually throw away the sachet of artificial flavourings, but if you cba to prepare something tastier then the curry ones are passable.

Asda's really cheap tinned sausage and beans are as good as any I've had, so with a bit of cheap toast and some cheese you get a really substantial lunch for next to nothing.

Own brand Pizzas, the Tesco frozen deep pan are usually 3 for £4 and taste better than most other pre-made I've had - and I've tried them all

Today I had the 5p Tesco Value cupasoup. They're very bland, but I keep pepper and dry herbs at work. I also added a spring onion, a bit of green pepper, some Chinese greens and half a tomato. Microwave with a splash of fresh milk until it boils and eat with toast; it's reasonably healthy and tasty for a few pennies.

It's kind of like Coke mixed with cough medicine....not dissimilar to Cherry Coke.

By the time you've added milk, pepper, greens, tomato and onion might you have been as well to buy a 'good' soup?