Do you buy budget range food?

My parents do the shopping for this house and they definitely buy budget brands however it’s only things that we’re not too fussed about, although my dad is kinda strict with finances lol. If a big named brand is better then the budget brands then we’ll just get that however if there is no difference between the brands then we get budget to save some money. It’s amazing how some budget brand products actually taste so much nicer then the big named brand items lol.

Budget ranges can be good but it’s a bit hit and miss and depends on where you shop. As pointed out some items are filled up with bad stuff to make up for the lack of quality.
I find budget meat to be pretty bad and I’d rather spend the odd £2 extra to get better meat. If I don’t have the extra cash I substitute something else for a value range instead (Like an onion or chopped tomatoes)
We have tried lots of ranges over the years and I find Sainsburys basics ok BUT not meat, chocolate or loo roll. I am no loo roll snob but I ended up at the doctors after um an allergic reacting. Something about the bleach they use in any value loo rolls never agree with me.
I tend to stick with own ranges first and then if they don’t have what I need or want it’s bigger brands and then a lot of value where they are OK.
there are hidden sugars and salts in some value stuff so it’s worth the extra 10p for a tin that’s better. If I am desperate well then I don’t have a choice but at least the labels are clear.
This is what I have found and I can’t say for other supermarkets as I don’t shop consistently enough with them to really judge long term. Lidl has been better in the last few years but I find their labels confusing and now I have moved I only really have the large main supermarkets. I also use tins so not to waste food and as I am a carer I never really get help with dinner so it makes sense to keep tinned food for convenience as well as backup if we have less money to spend or none as the case may be. Most value items are ok, some are bad and some are untouchable.
Many people have no choice but to buy value ranges and not just for a few weeks but for many many weeks. I would find it very hard to do this every week constantly.
Sorry for long post but it’s been 8 years of experimentation and really looking at what I am buying, where I am buying it and trying to feed 2 people 3 meals a day and a cat :))
I have learnt a thing or two along the way!
Budget/value ranges of:
Herbs and spices – own range much blander than the more expensive types but at a push will use. Can be false economy as you might need to use much more however if that’s all the cash you got, that’s all the cash you got.
Chopped tomatoes while a bit watery are ok.
Onions, smaller, so need more but ok. Prefer normal own range.
Kidney beans, a bit mushier and size and shape ad hoc but doesn’t bother me and cooks just fine for chilli and other dishes.
Tinned carrots and fresh. Fine, I tend to like baby carrots over sliced but value ranges do the job fine. I use regularly.
Tuna. Not so hot and pretty icky, needs more mayo and plenty of black pepper to make up for lack of texture and taste but ok week on week if it’s mixed in with something. Not responsibly sourced as far as I remember seeing.
Tinned peas have got tons of sugar in them so I don’t buy them. Buy normal own brand.
Same with the sweetcorn.
Fresh Potatoes ok but not as nice obviously. I never use butter/milk/cream so is also why they come out less preferred.
Have used fresh value lettuce, tomatoes, peppers and pretty much most of the fresh fruit and veg I get apart from when they don’t have the option or my partner really feels the need for some nicer apples or something. Or else it’s own brand anyway. Can’t afford organic and free range/fair trade as much as I think It’s nicer and an ethical thing to do.
Meat: Big no no. Only once bought value beef many years ago and it was very disgusting and full of gristle. Partner refused to eat it.
Chicken breasts: Not great but ok. However does the job even though it’s filled with water. I find it better to get a nicer but smaller lot of chicken breasts and fill the dish up with veg instead. Unless times are very tight (which the next 2 weeks will be) then I get the value pack range.
I used to buy Sainsburys corn fed chicken breasts and whole chicken but the last 2 years I just couldn’t stretch it anymore. We both feel terrible and the chicken was much much nicer. But simply not an option now. As above I use more veg to bulk out the dish unless we are desperate.
What else?
Loo roll no
Chocolate/chocolate yogurts/mousse etc no. Not worth it, it’s bland, though I have tried jaffa cakes and some choc bars from Lidl and you get more for your money but quite sweet in comparison. Ok though.
Unless desperate It’s better to have better quality choc.
Value fizzy drinks – nasty and don’t do the Zero ranges. Warm syrups! Own brands ok but tend to stick with big brand for the weekly allowance we give ourselves.
juices, ok actually, it depends on the added stuff.
When we do drink alcohol on the odd occasion, I stick with larger brands. Tried value once and would never try again.
tissues. Hard on your nose but does the job.
cleaning products, does the job though not as strong as others.
laundry liquid&Softener gave me a rash so I stick with normal own brands.
Dishwasher tabs does the job (just about) but dishwasher doesn’t really like it.
Tin foil yes (every month)
Sandwich bags yes (every month)
Black bags 50/50. At a push if no more money left to get usual but false economy as you need to double bag.
Cat litter no as they don’t do clumping in their value range but own brand not big brand
Cat wet food – no. It’s unfair as it really isn’t that great and the cat would rather go hungry. I’d rather do without my chocolate instead. Cat gets Sheba on offer!
Cat dry food own brand hmm ok, but cat wasn’t a fan and better nutrients in larger brands. Better value for money.
bread no, floppy and tasteless but then again I have really cut down on the carbs so if I do have bread it would be wholemeal big brand.
Cereals no. Only own brand.

I cant think of anything else.
For the most part value ranges are ok and as I said, some people use these to stay alive! Some foods are not worth the extra expense when all that’s different is they are shaped exactly alike or don’t bend, over a value range that has different shapes and sizes. I couldn’t care less if my cucumber/banana/potato is a different shape or size!
Other value items like meat is best avoided.

I do buy budget brands from Sainsburys as I find this particular supermarket budget range is particularly good. I usually buy crackers, sponge cake mix, tinned tomatoes, eating apples, biscuits, cakes, butter, yogurt, brown sauce all of which I would recommend. However there are some items such as meat, tea, coffee, bread, soup, cereals where I am reluctant to try the budget range as I feel these would not be as good as the branded products.

Occasion.
Thanks to my 1966 O level English and excellent primary and secondary school teachers.

Yes we buy budget range supermarket food, but only on items such as breakfast cereals, toilet rolls, dishwasher tablets and so on. We don’t generally buy supermarket brand items containing meat of fish, except for currys, but then it’s Waitrose or M&S.

i do my monthly shop at Sainsburys and usually buy their own brand products. However in Doncaster we have a very good market where i buy meat, fish and fruit and veg. I like my meat to have some fat on it so that it is not dry when cooked and i can usually get what i want from the market. The fish market is second to none and has a very good selection.

I do occasionally visit a sale area of products nearing their end of date especially dried and tinned goods and can find nothing wrong with them. Too many people throw too much food away just because of a date on them. Some tinned stuff from the war has been found to be perfectly edible.