Sophie Morris

A food editor reviews seven worthwhile Asda purchases, highlighting the supermarket’s new Exceptional dried pasta, reasonably priced butter, award-winning wines, discounted children’s books, fresh-counter sushi, Rollback offers and Peruvian dark chocolate. Asda is praised for low prices and improving own-brand ranges, although the writer criticises its harsh store environment and inconsistent fruit and vegetables.

A food editor recommends five quick, ultra-processed-food-free dinners: sweet potato with beans, prawn saganaki, lamb and cumin meatballs with flatbreads, sardines on toast, and a ratatouille-inspired chicken traybake. The recipes emphasize cooking from scratch, affordable ingredients, seasonal vegetables, and simple preparation. The recommendations are framed by research associating high consumption of ultra-processed foods with dementia and other health problems, although the article notes that it remains unclear whether the processing itself or the foods’ high levels of fat, salt, and sugar are responsible.

A blind test of seven premium supermarket all-butter croissants found Waitrose’s £1 pastry to be the clear winner, scoring 4.5/5 for its flakiness, appearance and rich buttery flavour. Aldi’s 52p croissant was the surprise runner-up with 4/5, praised for its light, flaky texture and balanced butteriness. M&S, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Asda scored between 2 and 3/5, mainly because of dense or squidgy textures and muted flavour. Bakery experts Dee Rettali and Wes Burden stressed that good croissants should be light, flaky, buttery and slightly messy to eat.

A tasting of 16 premium and supermarket crisps finds Brindisa Torres Iberico Ham the overall winner, but M&S Roast Chicken & Garlic Butter offers the preferred combination of quality and affordability at £1.80. Diddly Squat Farm, Waitrose and Savoursmiths also score highly, while several supermarket own-brand options provide strong value. The review highlights growing interest in luxury flavours, loaded crisps and premium ingredients, while noting that some expensive products do not deliver proportionate value.

An Edwardian semi-detached home stays naturally cool during a heatwave thanks to its orientation, high ceilings, stone walls and cross‑ventilation. The author contrasts its comfort with overheated modern new‑builds and explains how strategic window use, shading and ventilation techniques reduce indoor temperatures. Design elements such as overhanging roofs and non‑south‑facing aspects help minimise heat gain, while simple habits like keeping curtains closed, creating through‑breezes and “burping” the house at cooler times further improve comfort. Growing risks of extreme heat in the UK underscore the value of passive cooling features in older homes.

A taste test of 10 supermarket ice lollies concludes that M&S Pineapple, Coconut & Lime lollies are the standout choice, praised for their creamy combination of pineapple, coconut and lime. Del Monte’s orange lollies also score highly, while R White’s pink lemonade and several budget options receive favourable reviews. Rowntree’s Watermelon lollies and Lidl’s Cherry Cola Tornadoes perform poorly. Dietitians advise treating ice lollies as occasional treats, checking the first three ingredients for added sugars and choosing products with more fruit and less added sugar where possible.

Food editor Sophie Morris recommends ten products she regularly buys at Sainsbury’s, highlighting the supermarket’s broad selection, competitive promotions and access to brands not commonly found at discount retailers. Her choices include full-fat and non-dairy milks, cheeses such as Taste the Difference feta and Ossau-Iraty, MSC-certified albacore tuna, Kallo rice cakes, discounted whisky, Mrs Elswood gherkins, Taste the Difference Belgian chocolate ice cream, Itsu chicken gyoza and alcohol-free Crodino Spritz. The recommendations combine personal preference with previous taste-test results and comparisons with Tesco, Asda and Waitrose.

A taste test of six supermarket oven pizzas finds a wide range in quality and value. Waitrose’s No. 1 Wood-Fired Smoky Five-Cheese sourdough pizza is the overall winner with 4/5, while Co-op’s spicy salami pizza scores 3.5/5. M&S and Tesco both receive 3/5, with Tesco’s chicken parmigiana pizza performing surprisingly well despite the reviewer’s reservations about chicken toppings. Sainsbury’s scores 2.5/5, and ASDA’s meatball pizza comes last with 1.5/5.

Nutritionist Dr Federica Amati argues that Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and other GLP-1 medications should be treated as metabolic medicines rather than quick-fix diet tools. She warns that appetite suppression can lead to inadequate protein, fibre, hydration and overall nutrition, particularly among older women at risk of osteopenia or osteoporosis, and may worsen eating-disorder risks. Amati says many users stop treatment because of side effects and regain much of the weight they lose, but believes the drugs can create a valuable opportunity to establish regular meals, improve diet quality, sleep and resistance training. Her four-part approach is to reduce food-related anxiety, anchor basic nutrition, protect physical health and develop a healthier relationship with body and identity.

A taste test of ten premium supermarket ice creams finds Waitrose’s Ottolenghi Strawberry & Cream with Sumac the overall winner, scoring 5/5 and costing £4.80 when discounted. Other top performers include Waitrose’s Ottolenghi Pistachio & Sour Cherry, Waitrose No.1 Santo Domingo Chocolate, and Ocado’s vegan Booja Booja Chocolate Salted Caramel. Häagen-Dazs Rum Raisin is praised for its rich, dense texture and high cream content but loses out on value and overall taste. The review also notes the UK’s growing ice-cream market and highlights increasingly adventurous supermarket flavours.

A food editor explains why Aldi has become a regular destination, highlighting its low prices, broad own-brand range and absence of a loyalty scheme. Recommended buys include fruit, pickles, wine, crackers, butter, Greek yoghurt, Cheddar, chocolate, porridge oats and genuine Prosciutto di Parma, while the middle aisle has occasionally delivered useful products such as an air fryer and dog bed. The editor avoids Aldi's sliced sourdough, meat and fish, and raises concerns that exceptionally low prices may squeeze farmers and other suppliers.

A food editor recommends eight cheaper supermarket alternatives to premium or heavily marketed brands as food prices rise. The suggestions include M&S ketchup instead of Heinz, Sainsbury’s or Karyatis olive oil instead of Filippo Berio, Blanco Niño crisps instead of Torres, Aldi Nordpak spread instead of Lurpak, Aldi Specially Selected eggs instead of Clarence Court, Lidl Baressa spaghetti instead of Barilla, own-brand cream cheese instead of Philadelphia, and Romanian wine instead of more expensive Italian, Spanish or Greek varieties. The recommendations combine taste tests, ingredient comparisons, ethical credentials and price data.

Chefs and food writers recommend affordable ways to host impressive meals, including serving generous bread starters, turning vegetables into centrepieces, improving familiar dishes, inviting guests to contribute, using large sharing platters, creating taco bars and making upgraded ice-cream sundaes. The advice emphasizes that generosity comes from time, effort and hospitality rather than expensive ingredients, while warning that overbuying and food waste can undermine savings.

Nitrite-free bacon is becoming more widely available in the UK amid concerns about processed meat, nitrites and bowel-cancer risk. The article explains that these products use fruit and vegetable extracts rather than conventional curing agents, but have shorter shelf lives and generally milder flavours. In a taste test, Waitrose, Finnebrogue, M&S and Waitrose’s smoked streaky bacon each scored 4/5, while Spoilt Pig scored 3/5 and Helen Browning’s and Morrisons products scored 2/5 for different reasons. Experts stress that replacing traditional bacon with nitrite-free versions does not make a diet automatically healthy; limiting overall processed-meat consumption and eating a fibre-rich diet remain more important.

A food editor who views Lidl as better for occasional visits and unusual finds than for a full weekly shop recommends 13 products from the supermarket. The selections include Italian tarallini, Parmigiano Reggiano, Portuguese pastel de nata, seasonal fruit, fresh herbs, bakery items, wine, British tomatoes, Lacasitos, bronze-die pasta, nappies and Puglian extra-virgin olive oil. Lidl is praised for competitive prices, quality European foods and strong taste-test results, while its cramped checkouts and less effective marketing are contrasted with Aldi’s more convenient shopping experience.

A family from east Kent chose an extensive driving holiday around the UK instead of travelling to Europe in 2025, seeking less airport-related stress, lower costs and relief from extreme heat and wildfires. The trip covered Anglesey, North Yorkshire and Scotland, offering varied scenery, regional food, greater freedom for their daughter and a more rewarding experience than a conventional beach holiday. Although the journey involved long drives and UK food and drink were more expensive than in Portugal, the family spent about £3,000 less than on their previous New York holiday and found the lack of crowds and travel hassle compelling. Extreme heat and a major forest fire showed that domestic travel is not free from climate-related risks, but the writer would repeat the trip if favourable weather could be guaranteed.

A food editor selects 11 Marks & Spencer products suited to portable summer picnics, prioritising flavour, innovation, ease of serving and relatively few ultra-processed ingredients over low fat or salt. Recommended items include dips, pickles, Spanish tortilla, salads, a prawn cocktail platter, gazpacho and mushroom parfait. The editor advises avoiding M&S popcorn chicken and cheese-and-Marmite pinwheels, finding them unpleasant despite some appeal to children.

A tasting of 16 British supermarket beef burgers finds Waitrose No.1 Wagyu the overall winner, with Sainsbury’s standard Quarter Pounders, Waitrose New York Style burgers and Gourmet Burger Kitchen’s offering also performing well. M&S’s Only 3 Ingredients burgers are rejected for being under-seasoned, over-charred and not juicy enough, while several Wagyu products are criticized for excessive fat, blandness or dryness. The test also highlights that simpler burgers with sufficient fat, good seasoning and fast cooking can outperform more expensive or premium-sounding products.

A food editor shares 13 practical ways to reduce weekly grocery spending without relying heavily on loyalty apps, coupons or elaborate meal planning. Advice includes choosing cheaper chicken thighs over breasts, planning only some meals, shopping alone, using a veg-box delivery, tracking spending, checking existing cupboards, avoiding small packaged portions, skipping unnecessary shops, considering local retailers, shopping without rushing and buying branded goods only on promotion. The piece also argues that an occasional takeaway can be cheaper than recreating an unfamiliar dish at home, and urges readers who can afford it to pass savings on to people facing food insecurity.

A taste test of 19 supermarket olive products finds Waitrose’s Sicilian Giarraffa olives the overall winner, scoring 5/5, while its herbed Mediterranean olives also outperform Tesco’s more expensive Finest Nocellara on price per kilogram and flavor. Other strong choices include Odysea Kalamata, Biona Peranzana and Brindisa Perello olives. Lower-rated products were criticized for discoloration, poor texture, processing flavors or excessive salt. Chefs recommend choosing naturally colored, stone-in olives, checking their origin and storing opened olives in airtight containers; consumers should also account for their relatively high salt content.

A food editor shares five inexpensive lunch recipes costing £2 or less per serving: sardine and cucumber soba noodles, herb and courgette frittata, a homemade jambon beurre, a sweet potato and black bean bowl, and a houmous and pickled vegetable sandwich. The recipes emphasize affordable ingredients, filling portions and preparation suitable for work or home, while contrasting homemade versions with more expensive Pret offerings.

A taste test of 13 supermarket feta cheeses finds that several mid-priced products offer strong quality, with Sainsbury's Taste the Difference barrel-aged feta singled out as a future buy despite its relatively mild strength. Epiros receives the highest score for depth of flavor, while Odysea, Tesco Finest, M&S and Waitrose also perform well. Lidl's Greek-style salad cheese is the weakest option because it lacks the tang and character of authentic Greek feta. The article emphasizes that genuine feta must be made in Greece under protected designation of origin rules and recommends cheese stored in brine, while noting feta's versatility in salads, baked dishes, dips and desserts.

Households are advised to build a modest, rotating food reserve rather than panic-buy or hoard, amid warnings that food inflation could reach 10% by the end of 2026. Recommended supplies include water, canned essentials, tea and coffee, dried staples such as rice and pasta, UHT drinks, peanut butter or other treats, and selected frozen foods. The guidance emphasizes long shelf lives, price volatility, supply-chain disruption, proper storage and using items before replacing them.

A taste test of 11 vanilla ice creams finds M&S Collection and Yeo Valley among the strongest premium options, while Ms Molly’s performs poorly because of its gummy texture and weak flavour. Carte D’Or is criticized as excessively sweet and poor value, with Lidl’s Bon Gelati presented as a much cheaper and broadly comparable alternative for fans of the brand. The piece also compares vanilla sources, dairy content, additives and the textural effects of emulsifiers and stabilizers.

A taste test of 13 supermarket fish fingers finds that premium products generally outperform cheaper options, although quality varies substantially. Waitrose’s fresh chunky haddock fingers rank highest, while Birds Eye’s £5 pack ranks last because its minced and reformed fish is dry and tasteless. Cod and haddock are judged more flavourful than cheaper Alaskan pollock, though pollock remains a useful low-cost option when paired with sauces. The piece also highlights MSC certification, single-species ingredients, fish portion guidance from the NHS and the prevalence of starches associated with ultra-processed foods.

Rising energy, fuel, fertiliser and shipping costs could cause summer shortages and higher prices for foods including salad leaves, tomatoes, cucumbers, meat, chicken and fizzy drinks in the UK. Suggested responses include growing lettuce and tomatoes, buying whole lettuces and tinned tomatoes, using jarred peppers and aubergines, pickling cucumbers, replacing steak pie with potato pie, stretching chicken into meatballs, and making tepache as an alternative to fizzy drinks. The advice emphasises flexibility, seasonal produce and using cheaper ingredients to reduce the impact of shortages.

The writer reflects on completing the London Marathon in 2008 after an overly compressed training plan that began with a painful knee injury. Although she enjoyed the race, she later developed recurring severe back pain caused by an extruded disc, eventually requiring surgery and ending her long-distance running. Medical advice in the piece emphasizes gradual preparation, strength training, adequate recovery, food and hydration, while warning that endurance events can cause serious injuries when participants cram their training. The writer concludes that marathons can be completed safely with careful preparation but remain a substantial physical challenge.

A tasting of eight supermarket crumpets found M&S’s Ultimate Five Grain Crumpets the best overall, followed by Sainsbury’s Luxury Sourdough Crumpets and M&S’s standard Ultimate Crumpets. Lidl and Aldi’s sourdough options offered decent quality at lower prices, while the basic Aldi and Sainsbury’s versions were acceptable but bland or claggy. Warburtons came last because it was considered no better than cheaper supermarket alternatives despite its higher price. The review also notes that none of the tested products met the Real Bread Campaign’s strict definition of sourdough.

A taste test of eight ready-made puff pastry products found Picard Butter Puff Pastry and Dorset Pastry Pure Butter Puff Pastry joint-best for their crisp, airy, buttery layers, although both were costly. Tesco Finest also performed strongly, while ASDA offered the best budget option. Jus-Rol, despite being the £1.90 market-leading brand, produced less puff and clumped layers that tasted squidgy and claggy. The review also notes that butter-based pastries generally offer better flavour, while cheaper products often use palm or rapeseed oil.

A taste test of 15 supermarket granolas finds Ocado’s £4 Rollagranola Coconut, Cashew and Raisin Organic Granola the closest to homemade, earning 4.5 out of 5. Yeo Valley, Gail’s and Dorset Cereals also perform well, while several high-protein, berry and gut-health products are criticised for poor flavour or texture. The review notes that granola can be high in simple carbohydrates and relatively low in protein and fibre, but nutritionist Dominique Ludwig recommends pairing it with Greek yoghurt, berries, seeds or nut butter for a more balanced breakfast.

A taste test of 15 supermarket egg boxes found that appearance, shell colour, yolk colour, size and price varied widely, while nutritional differences were minimal. Aldi’s £1.89 Specially Selected free-range eggs were named a standout for their rich flavour, bright yolk and value, alongside strong value performances from Tesco, Ocado and Lidl. Premium brands such as Clarence Court were enjoyable but not clearly superior enough to justify their higher prices. The test also noted that yolk colour is influenced by chicken feed rather than necessarily by flavour, and compared cage-free, free-range, organic and welfare-assured production standards.

Sophie Morris taste-tested 16 supermarket honeys, comparing varieties including British, acacia, set, runny and Manuka honey. Odysea’s £4.90 Greek pine and fir tree raw honey from Sainsbury’s won with 5/5 for its woody, herbaceous flavour, while several British honeys from Waitrose, M&S, Tesco and Daylesford also performed well. The test highlights wide differences in taste, provenance and value, alongside concerns about honey adulteration and the extensive processing of blended products.

Sophie Morris and four children taste-tested 15 Easter eggs, with Tesco’s Finest Double Layer Salted Pretzel Egg and M&S’s Original Very Moreish Munch Egg jointly receiving the top score of 5/5. Waitrose, Chococo, Lindt and NOMO also performed well, while Aldi’s Jammy Wheel Biscuit Egg was the clear low point at 1/5. The reviews emphasize flavor, texture, presentation, value, child appeal and the availability of vegan or free-from options.