TV Nutritionist, Lily Soutter, has created 15 nutritional kids’ meals for £15 with Aldi, as new research commissioned by the supermarket reveals that over a third of Mancunian parents are in need of inspiration when it comes to meal planning.
The ‘Brain Booster’ and ‘Veggie Variety’ plans feature 15 meals each – 10 more meals than the average Mancunian parent currently makes with a budget of £15 per child, according to the research.
44% of parents said they don’t have the time to plan, and as a result, are making the same lunch every day. What’s more, almost half (48%) say they sometimes give up altogether and let their child choose what to eat to make life easier. This has led to some interesting food concoctions including one admitting to banana and crisp sandwiches being on the menu and others indulging in fish fingers and custard.
Mums and dads of Manchester are so tired of preparing meals that appreciation for school cooks has soared. Two-fifths (40%) said they had no idea it was so difficult to prepare five back-to-back healthy lunches and over a third plan to ask them the tricks of the trade.
“The colourful and quick meal plans we’ve created using Aldi’s vast offering aim to not only help money go further, but also provide great taste, quality and nutrition to keep kids on track. For example, it is important to nourish the brain with omega 3’s for concentration, memory and mood. The Brain Power Fish Cakes in the Brain Boosting meal plan is the perfect way to help with this.
We know from the research that 1 in 4 parents would like to incorporate more veggies, so we were keen on a dedicated Veggie Variety plan. The ‘Jam Packed Pancakes’ are not only delicious, but they also provide 2 of our 5 a day, whilst the ‘Wild Forest Pizza’ is an easy way to pack in the greens.”
(Harley Street and TV Nutritionist, Lily Soutter explains)
The research also unveiled almost half of parents (48%) were keen to incorporate more veggies to help the environment, yet a quarter said they felt healthy recipes cost more to make.
“Aldi’s ethos is ‘access to good quality food should be a right, not a privilege’ – which is why we aim to provide the best possible quality and value to all our customers.
The meal plans are designed to provide quick and easy inspiration for time-poor parents, those stuck in an inspiration rut and for those looking to make their money go further whilst being assured their child is getting the nutrition they need thanks to Lily’s expertise and seal of approval.”
(Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK)
Designed to cost the value of a National Free School Meal Voucher, the £15 meal plans which include shopping lists and nutritional hints and tips are available online here.
Aldi joined the Government’s Free School Meal Voucher Scheme in April 2020. The supermarket has also pledged to donate 10 million meals to families in need in 2021, working with giving platform Neighbourly, and with support of footballer Marcus Rashford MBE.
The £15 Aldi shop for 15 nutritional kids meals: Guactastic Bean Burgers
The £15 Aldi shop for 15 nutritional kids meals: Veggie Cowboy
The £15 Aldi shop for 15 nutritional kids meals: Rainbow Pizza
Top 10 unusual food combinations requested by kids:
- Weetabix and baked beans
- Fish fingers in custard
- Banana and crisp sandwich
- Hot dogs in buns with marshmellows
- Ketchup and peanut butter sandwich
- Cheese and pickle nachos with chocolate sauce and sprinkles
- Spaghetti with marmite
- Yorkshire pudding with eggs
- Pasta with smoked salmon and caviar
- Tuna and Kiwi sandwich
