SNACK HACK
Shoppers are just realising they can get ice cream as part of lunchtime meal deals at three major supermarkets
Plus watch our video for more ways to save at the supermarket
SHOPPERS are only just realising that they can get ice cream as part of their lunchtime meal deals.
Foodies have spotted the sweet treats at the supermarkets in recent days, and they're saying it's a "game changer" as the weather hots up.
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Both Sainsbury's and Tesco are now offering the tasty desserts as part of their lunch offers.
Plus, Co-op has confirmed to Sun Money that it too will be offering a range of ice creams as part of its meal deal from August 7.
It means that now, in addition to your usual sandwich and drink, you can pick up an ice cream or lolly like Magnum, Solero or Mini Milk for cheap.
Little Moons mochi balls and brand names like Haagen-Daz and Oreo are also among the treats shoppers can pick.
READ MORE ON MEAL DEALS
The option is available as the snack option in the meal deals. Typically crisps, chocolate bars or fruit are available.
At Sainsbury's you could save as much as £3 with the deal.
For example a chicken salad sandwich priced at £2.85, a Coke Zero costing £1.75 and a Magnum, which is usually £2.20 would set you back £6.80.
But as part of the meal deal you'd only pay £3.75.
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At Tesco you can pick up a sandwich, beverage and Magnum ice cream for as little as £3.40 through the meal deal when you have a Clubcard.
Without the loyalty card it will costs £3.90. Shoppers can sign up to Tesco's Clubcard scheme for free on the app or website to access the lower price.
Shoppers have been sharing the news on social media, and many can't believe their eyes.
One woman posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: "PSA [public service announcement]: You can get ice cream as your 'snack' in the Sainsbury's meal deal.
"Magnums, Twisters, Cornettos, the lot. I just had a Magnum as a mid-afternoon snack and life has never been better."
Fellow X users flocked to the comments to express their disbelief.
One said: "WWHHAAAAAAT!?"
Another wrote: "This changes everything."
A third commented: "Oh my days!!! This is the best news!"
While a fourth posted: "This is life-changing. Thanks for sharing."
Across Facebook, shoppers have been speeding to let their pals know of the news.
One tagged their friend and said: ";Lunchtime game changer that!!"
A second replied to a post: "Whoop de doo, that's gonna change my life."
What ice creams can I get in the meal deals?
Here's the full list of ice creams available in Sainsbury's meal deal:
- Cadbury Flake 99 125ml - usually £2
- Cornetto Strawberry 120ml
- Haagen-Dazs Caramel Swirl Ice Cream 95ml - usually £2.20
- Haagen-Dazs Creamy Fudge Brownie 95ml - usually £2.20
- HaloTop Triple Chocolate -
- HaloTop Vanilla Fudge Brownie -
- Little Moons Passionfruit and Mango Mochi x2 - usually £2.50
- Magnum Chill 90ml
- Magnum Classic 110ml - £2.20
- Magnum Double Gold Caramel Billionaire 85ml
- Magnum Euphoria 90ml - £2.30
- Magnum White Stick 110ml
- Mars Ice Cream Singles 74ml - £1.70
- Oreo Sandwich 135ml - £2
- Rowntrees Fruit Pastilles Lolly 65ml
- Rowntrees Watermelon Lolly 73ml
- Wall's Calippo Cola 105ml - £1.50
- Wall's Calippo Orange 105ml - £1.50
- Wall's Feast Ice Lolly 90ml - £1.50
- Walls Mini Milk Strawberry
- Walls Solero Exotic Impulse 90ml - £1.80
- Wall's Twister 80ml - £1.50
- Walls Twister Berrylicious 70ml - £1.50
The addition of ice creams to the lunchtime meal deal is likely to serve as a form of consolation after Sainsbury's recently hiked the price from £3.50 to £3.75.
Sun Money has asked Tesco for the full list of ice creams available in its deal and will update when we hear back.
Supermarket meal deals
MOST supermarkets offer some kind of meal deal.
Sainsbury's recently upped the price of its offer from £3.50 to £3.75.
Last February, Tesco also changed up its meal deal offering by launching a premium version for £5 for those with a Clubcard, while customers without one pay £5.50.
Tesco also continues to offer its regular meal deal offer which costs Clubcard members £3.40, or £3.90 for non-members.
Co-op charges members £3.50 and non-members £4 for a main, snack and drink as part of its meal deal.
It also offers a choice of a premium main for £5 or £5.50 for non-members.
Morrisons charges £3.50 for its meal deals.
The price of Asda's meal deals varies depending on the products picked.
At Co-op shoppers can pick up a meal for £3.50 for members or £4 for non-members, including a standard main, side and drink, with the ice cream as a side option.
Or you can grab a premium meal deal that is priced at £5 for members (£5.50 for non-members) and includes a premium main, side and drink.
Co-op shoppers can sign up to be a Co-op member for £1 on the chain's website.
Here's the full list of ice creams available in Co-op's meal deal:
- Walls Calippo Orange Water Ice 105ml
- Cornetto Strawberry 120ml
- Magnum White Chocolate 110ml
- Walls Feast Hardcore Chocolate 90ml
- Solero Exotic 90ml
- Magnum Almond 100ml
- Magnum Billionaire 85ml
- Magnum Double Starchaser 85ml
- Walls Calippo Cola 105ml
- Walls Twister Pineapple 80ml
- Magnum Chill 90ml
- Magnum Almond 100ml
- Magnum Euphoria 90ml
- Magnum Classic 110ml
- Walls Twister Berry-Licous 70ml
Sun Money has reached out for the full list of prices for each individual ice creams at Co-op.
It's not the only meal deal shock foodies have had in recent years.
Many were surprised to learn that you can pick up a Ginsters Pasty as a side at Co-ops.
Plus customers have the option to select an in-store bakery item as a side/snack option in both our premium and standard meal deals too.
Last year, shoppers realised they could get a hot drink with a Tesco and Sainsbury's meal deal.
The supermarket giants allow shoppers to grab a Costa coffee as part of the lunch offer.
Both deals exclude large and limited edition drinks and you won't be able to add a syrup if you want to qualify.
Around 2,000 Tesco stores have Costa hot drinks machines.
In other meal deal news, Sainsbury's was accused of ripping off hungry shoppers after yoghurt pots were made a meal deal main course instead of a snack.
Tubs of the fruity dairy curd are promoted as the equivalent of a sandwich or chunky wrap despite being significantly smaller.
Tesco then also sparked customer fury after making an "offensive"; change to its offer.
How to save on your supermarket shop
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they've been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you'll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you'll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching ";finest" or "luxury" products and instead going for "own" or value" type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they're misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you're on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
Shoppers were left livid after spotting that tubs of fruit are being promoted as a main - the equivalent of a sandwich or a wrap - rather than a snack.
Plus, The Sun exclusively revealed that Poundland has introduced a cheaper £3 meal deal named "grab a bite".
It includes the main, drink and snack without the need for a loyalty card.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
For mains, shoppers can pick between sandwiches, wraps, salads, sushi and rolls.
Options include ham and cheese, chicken and bacon and tuna salad sandwiches as well as chicken tikka wraps and pasta salads.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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