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”.
Both Sainsbury’s and Tesco are now offering the tasty desserts as part of their lunchtime deal.
Plus, Co-op has confirmed to Sun Money that it too will be offering a range of ice creams as part of its own 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 to complete your meal deal at both supermarkets.
Before you could usually only bag crisps and/or a chocolate bar as your third element.
Here’s the full list of ice creams available in Sainsbury’s meal deal:
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.”
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 of the offering from £3.50 to £3.75.
Here’s the full list of ice creams available in Sainsbury’s meal deal:
Elsewhere at Tesco, the revelation could set you up with a sandwich, a beverage and a Magnum for as little as £3.40 with a Clubcard, or £3.90 without.
Sun Money has reached out to Tesco for the full list of ice creams available in its deal.
And from next week Co-op shoppers can also pick up the refreshing dessert with their meal for £3.50 for members or £4 for non-members and includes a standard main, side and drink.
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.
Here’s the full list of ice creams available in Co-op’s meal deal:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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