I tested all the supermarket lunchtime meal deals and chain’s offering is hands down the most generous
HEY are great value, delicious and convenient, what’s not to love about a meal deal?
More than half of all sandwiches sold by supermarkets are now bought as part of a meal deal, according to leading food manufacturer Greencore.
And more than a third of us buy them weekly, spending an estimated £10,844 on these lunches in a lifetime.
ALEX LLOYD took to the shops to check out eight supermarket and high street deals to see which offers the best value for your lunch.
WH SMITH
£4.99 for a main, snack and drink
Mains include sandwiches, sushi, salads, filled naans, pasties and wraps.
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Snacks include crisps, cake bars and mini sausages.
Drinks include fizzy sodas, cold coffees and smoothies.
We bought:
- Katsu Chicken Cali Rolls (pack of six), £4.50
- Richmond Mini Pork Sausages, £1.90
- Naked Ruby Machine Super Smoothie, 300ml, £3.69
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TOTAL: £10.09
SAVING: £5.10
POUNDLAND
£3 meal deal of main, snack and drink
Mains include sandwiches, pasties and pasta salads.
Snacks include Muller rice puddings, meat bites and chocolate.
Drinks include branded juices, milkshakes and cans or bottles of fizzy drinks.
We bought:
- Bryans tuna and sweetcorn salad, 380g, £2
- 10 Chicken satay skewers, £1.35
- Red Bull sugar free, 355ml, £1.75
TOTAL: £5.10
SAVING: £2.10
ASDA
Pick any three of the items below and the cheapest is free. Minimum spend is £2 before discount.
The range includes sandwiches, pasta salads, fajitas, sushi, egg pots, chocolate, crisps, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, crisps, chocolate bars and a range of soft drinks.
We bought:
- Chicken & bacon caesar triple wrap, £3.35
- Chicken & hoisin duck sushi collection, £2.55
- Jimmy’s iced coffee original, £2
TOTAL: £7.90
SAVING: £2.00
TESCO
£3.90 for main, snack and drink (£3.40 for Clubcard members)
Mains include sandwiches, pasta bowls, egg tortilla and samosa.
Snacks include crisps, fruit pots, sushi, yoghurt.
Drinks include water, fizzy drinks, squash, coffees.
We bought:
- Sausage, bacon and egg triple sandwich, £2.85
- Pineapple chunks, 145g, £1.25
- Costa Express regular latte, £2.85
TOTAL: £6.95
SAVING: £3.05
(3.55 for Clubcard members)
Tesco also has a premium meal deal which is £5.50 (£5 with Clubcard), which includes Finest sandwiches and Itsu brand items
MORRISONS
£4 for main, snack and drink (£3.50 for Morrisons More members)
Mains include sandwiches, salads, sushi and pasta.
Snacks include crisps, yoghurt, crispy caramel bars, fruit pots, samosa, bhajis or carrots with hummus.
Drinks are branded juices and fizzy drinks bottles.
We bought:
- Wiltshire ham & emmental cheese baguette, £3
- Nomadic chocolate protein pudding, 200g, £1.75
- Vita Coco coconut water, 500ml, £2.45
TOTAL: £7.20
SAVING: £3.20
CO-OP
£4 for main, snack and drink (£3.50 for Co-op members)
Mains include sandwiches, sushi and pasta bowls.
Snacks include sausage rolls, Soreen, packs of fruit.
Drinks include Red Bull and tinned iced coffee, plus fizzy drinks.
We bought:
- Coop egg & bacon sandwich, £3.25
- Ginsters peppered steak slice, £1.95
- Innocent energise smoothie, 300ml, £2.75
TOTAL: £7.95
SAVING: £3.95 (£4.45 for Co-op members)
SAINSBURY’S
£3.50 or less for main, snack and drink.
Mains include sandwiches, pasta salads and sushi.
Snacks include fruit, Peperami and scotch eggs.
Drinks include energy drinks, branded sodas, smoothies and coconut water.
We bought:
- BBQ chicken with red leicester sandwich, £2.95
- Nomadic strawberry yoghurt & oat clusters, £1.55
- Naked Ruby Machine super smoothie, 300ml, £2.60
TOTAL: £7.10
SAVING: £3.60 (An upgraded meal deal is available for £5 with a more expensive main)
BOOTS
£3.99 or less for main, snack and drink (£3.60 for Advantage Card holders)
Mains include sandwiches, wraps and filled naans.
Snacks are crisps, Soreen, Del Monte fruit or veg pots and Activia yoghurts.
Drinks include Coke and other branded soft drinks.
We bought:
- Chicken collection pack of three sandwiches, £3.50
- Del Monte pineapple with cheese 110g, £2.50
- Vita Coco pressed coconut water, 500ml, £2.75
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TOTAL: £8.75
SAVING: £4.76 (£5.15 for Advantage Card holders)