0:00:02 > 0:00:03Ooh, Creme Eggs! Ooh, Maltesers! Ooh.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05The "Ooh!" theory to shopping.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07Gregg Wallace and greengrocer Chris Bavin
0:00:07 > 0:00:10are back for their biggest challenge yet.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13I like my food, but this is embarrassing.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15That doesn't bother you, does it?
0:00:15 > 0:00:18To help families slash their weekly food bills.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21This family are spending an outrageous amount of money.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23I'm getting quite emotional about that.
0:00:23 > 0:00:24They're going undercover...
0:00:24 > 0:00:26- Oh, no!- I'm going to go and
0:00:26 > 0:00:27do a top-up shop anyway, so...
0:00:27 > 0:00:31You're already planning to do a top-up shop in the middle of a shop?
0:00:31 > 0:00:33And taking over kitchens...
0:00:33 > 0:00:36- I ain't having this.- What is that?- Where's my stuff?
0:00:36 > 0:00:39..to find out where we can spend less...
0:00:39 > 0:00:43- Just under six grand.- Stupid money. - And where, on the odd occasion
0:00:43 > 0:00:46it might be worth spending a little more.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49- That's the good stuff. - Nice.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51- Restaurant-standard. - They'll be checking
0:00:51 > 0:00:53out the country's most popular food and drink.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55My co-presenter tries to get me to do this
0:00:55 > 0:00:57after a long shoot day, actually.
0:00:57 > 0:00:58ALL: GO!
0:00:58 > 0:01:01And giving the great British public their say.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03- That's delicious.- No, that's not right.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07They'll be conjuring up cut-price recipes...
0:01:07 > 0:01:08Du-nuh!
0:01:08 > 0:01:11- Anybody can make this dish.- And it was less than £2.50.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14But at the end of the day, will Gregg and Chris
0:01:14 > 0:01:16prove that you really can eat well for less?
0:01:18 > 0:01:19SHE GASPS
0:01:19 > 0:01:22This is all about breaking habits and
0:01:22 > 0:01:25- learning something new. - No!
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Let's get to work...
0:01:29 > 0:01:33This week, we're with the Thomas family.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35Budget-minded Adie and
0:01:35 > 0:01:37- brand-mad Mandy...- You get them. I'll get them.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41- I'm not getting both.- ..are at loggerheads.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44- The problem is, you don't agree with me.- And then you don't
0:01:44 > 0:01:48- agree with me.- With four kids constantly snacking...
0:01:48 > 0:01:51They eat so much rubbish out of that cupboard.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54..and Mandy replacing the crisps daily.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56"Can I have this, Mum?" "Yes."
0:01:56 > 0:01:59- I do think I've ever said no.- These two must
0:01:59 > 0:02:02- work as a team...- Whatever.- Does that mean no?- No, whatever.
0:02:02 > 0:02:03I don't think Adie's
0:02:03 > 0:02:05- very happy!- ..to potentially save
0:02:05 > 0:02:07themselves thousands.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09Do you want to save money?
0:02:09 > 0:02:12- Oh, God, yes.- I know a couple of blokes who can help you.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26We're in Chelmsford, Essex, with
0:02:26 > 0:02:29a family whose spending is out of control.
0:02:29 > 0:02:30ALL: We're the Thomas family.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35Adie and Mandy got married 18 months ago.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37See how high you can kick it.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39- Come on, Tristan, go and get it!- Between them,
0:02:39 > 0:02:42they've four children. Mandy's youngest,
0:02:42 > 0:02:47six-year-old Tristan, then Poppy, who's 12, and Harry, 16.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49Are you going to go and play football, Poppy?
0:02:49 > 0:02:52- No.- You don't want to?- And Adie's son,
0:02:52 > 0:02:55- Sonny, ten.- Look at the boy go.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58We met about two-and-a-half, three years ago and we married
0:02:58 > 0:03:02quite quickly and we had a big wedding and it was beautiful.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05- Expensive. - Yes, it was quite expensive.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08I've got champagne tastes and
0:03:08 > 0:03:10lemonade income, basically. I want the
0:03:10 > 0:03:12best of everything, probably like most people.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14And Mandy's champagne taste is
0:03:14 > 0:03:17causing a little friction between the
0:03:17 > 0:03:19newlyweds, especially in the kitchen.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22We do get on really well, we just argue about food.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26- How much was that?- £1.50.- For one drink?
0:03:26 > 0:03:29For one drink, yes. I think branded stuff is worth
0:03:29 > 0:03:32the money, because it is branded and it's
0:03:32 > 0:03:34probably the best of the best.
0:03:34 > 0:03:39- But for Adie, it's all about value. - Adie will buy this as a treat
0:03:39 > 0:03:41for the children, which they don't drink,
0:03:41 > 0:03:44so then I have to do a secret shop and buy this.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48He'll buy Coca-Cola for 17p.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50We don't need to be buying 17p...
0:03:50 > 0:03:54- You do when you've got four kids and they drink a whole bottle of it a day.- And it's been under the
0:03:54 > 0:03:57- cupboard for three weeks when you bought it. It hadn't been touched. - Because you keep buying
0:03:57 > 0:04:00the other stuff that's three and a half quid a bottle!
0:04:00 > 0:04:02They're drinking a bottle a day.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06- Mum gets nice stuff.- Adie likes to buy the cheap, horrible food.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09Adrian would have bought these.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13I think there's five packets of instant noodles
0:04:13 > 0:04:15and they've been in the cupboard about
0:04:15 > 0:04:19six months. But if I bought Super Noodles,
0:04:19 > 0:04:21they would be gone within a few days.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Adie's wasting his money buying these,
0:04:24 > 0:04:26because they don't get eaten.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29So despite his good intentions, Adie's thriftiness doesn't seem
0:04:29 > 0:04:32to be working and Mandy just keeps on replacing
0:04:32 > 0:04:36his value items with brands the kids WILL eat.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38My top-ups are daily, to the point
0:04:38 > 0:04:40where I've actually made quite a
0:04:40 > 0:04:42nice relationship with the guys in the shop now.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44- Hi!- Hello, you all right?
0:04:44 > 0:04:46- The boys at school?- Yeah.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49I just say yes to everything.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52"Can I have this, Mum?" "Yes." I don't think I've ever said no.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54They eat so much rubbish out
0:04:54 > 0:04:56of that cupboard, you fill it up with bags of
0:04:56 > 0:04:59crisps and they're gone in a matter of days.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03Getting through around 70 bags of crisps a week,
0:05:03 > 0:05:07the kids often don't eat the healthy meals Adie cooks.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09I do all the cooking in the house.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13- And sometimes wash up.- Sometimes.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16Yeah. So this is a typical Thomas meal.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20I can guarantee there will be waste.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23- Where's my fish?- There will be moaning.- Ugh. I hate that.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26You've never tried it, Tristan.
0:05:26 > 0:05:27There will be leftovers.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32A plasterer by day,
0:05:32 > 0:05:35Adie also runs a boxing gym after work, so he's not
0:05:35 > 0:05:39always on hand to make the family meal.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41When Adie's not here, Mum does the cooking and she
0:05:41 > 0:05:44usually makes "Ping" meals, which is a
0:05:44 > 0:05:47- microwave meal.- Mandy relies on expensive convenience food
0:05:47 > 0:05:49to provide different meals
0:05:49 > 0:05:53for each child, except for Harry, who prefers to eat out.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56- The microwave is my friend,- because...
0:05:56 > 0:05:58- You can't cook.- No, I CAN cook,
0:05:58 > 0:06:00and I used to cook every night before I met Adie,
0:06:00 > 0:06:03but because Adie cooks every night, I've kind
0:06:03 > 0:06:06of really lost my confidence in cooking.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08Mandy's loss of kitchen confidence is surprising
0:06:08 > 0:06:11for someone who spends her days cooking,
0:06:11 > 0:06:15- albeit in a burger van.- Bacon, sausage AND egg, did you say?
0:06:15 > 0:06:18Mandy and Adie really need help ironing
0:06:18 > 0:06:20out their differences.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22I think we're going to run
0:06:22 > 0:06:24- out of money soon, if it doesn't change.- Yeah, or
0:06:24 > 0:06:25hair, one or the other.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29Gregg and Chris need to
0:06:29 > 0:06:32work fast in order to solve this one.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35- Mate, this looks nice.- It does, doesn't it.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38We generally argue when we go round the supermarket.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41We really are total polar opposites.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43Mandy and Adie have arrived for
0:06:43 > 0:06:46their weekly shop. This could be interesting.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49- We need to get some bananas.- Right.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53The boys are disappearing to the back of the store to get
0:06:53 > 0:06:56a closer look at the Thomas weekly shop in action.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58Let's have a look at this, shall we?
0:06:58 > 0:07:00Let's get to work.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07What about vegetables for Sunday?
0:07:08 > 0:07:10That's not a bad start at all.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14- Straight into the fresh fruit and veg.- So far, so good, guys.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- Shall I get frozen ones?- I don't want frozen.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Can't we just have carrots? Broccoli.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22Fresh broccoli and then you can have frozen carrots.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- It's just quicker to get frozen, though.- Please? Thank you.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27Who's running this shopping?
0:07:27 > 0:07:30I don't know, it's difficult to tell, isn't it?
0:07:30 > 0:07:33- I want some butter.- There's two lots
0:07:33 > 0:07:36- of butter in the fridge. - You sure?- Yeah, positive.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38- You're in charge of meat.- Get a chicken.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40OK, Adie's in charge of meat. I think
0:07:40 > 0:07:43Adie is in charge of cooking, full stop, isn't he?
0:07:43 > 0:07:44What about your Mexican stuff?
0:07:44 > 0:07:48Get some jalapenos and I'll do pork wraps one night.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51Oh, I need some sausage rolls.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53I need some ping meals.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55- Is that all right?- Yeah, whatever.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57- Whatever?- Whatever.- Does that mean no?
0:07:57 > 0:08:00- No, whatever.- We've kind of gone from an Adie shop,
0:08:00 > 0:08:05of natural ingredients, to a Mandy shop of convenience.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09- Ham.- Yeah, get the nice ham...- No.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12"Get the nice ham." "No!"
0:08:12 > 0:08:13I ain't paying £1.20 for
0:08:13 > 0:08:15them when you can get the same ones for
0:08:15 > 0:08:17half price underneath, look.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19They're not very nice.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21You're not going to get the 20p ones?
0:08:21 > 0:08:23Why would you want 20p noodles?
0:08:23 > 0:08:25Adie's definitely the
0:08:25 > 0:08:28guy holding the purse strings, isn't he?
0:08:28 > 0:08:30I think he's watching the purse strings, I don't
0:08:30 > 0:08:32know whether he's holding them.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35- That's two quid a bottle.- They won't drink that stuff
0:08:35 > 0:08:37- you buy.- Because you keep buying that stuff!
0:08:37 > 0:08:40Who of them two is putting the brands in
0:08:40 > 0:08:42- the basket?- Well, only one person, and it
0:08:42 > 0:08:44rhymes with Andy.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46LAUGHTER
0:08:46 > 0:08:49She's not even looking around, she's going straight for that brand that she
0:08:49 > 0:08:53- either favours or recognises.- Mate, we all do that, so many people do that.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56They'll do, look.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58They don't like them ones. They like Monster Munch
0:08:58 > 0:09:00and Wotsits. You get them, and I'll get them.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03There was a fair few crisps going in that
0:09:03 > 0:09:06- trolley, wasn't there?- I wonder how long it would last them though? - Well...
0:09:06 > 0:09:07Get loads of them,
0:09:07 > 0:09:10so they can have them whenever they want.
0:09:10 > 0:09:11No! Don't be so tight.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14Oh, are you going to drink cheap beer? Get value beer?
0:09:14 > 0:09:17Ooh! Below the belt that was, wasn't it?
0:09:17 > 0:09:19I don't think Adie's very happy.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23- Right, frozen stuff first? - Frozen first.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26After an hour, Mandy and Adie have made it to the checkout.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29But heading straight for them, is a
0:09:29 > 0:09:32rather suspicious-looking trolley.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36- Oh, dear!- We've been watching you, son!
0:09:36 > 0:09:38'Ello, 'ello!
0:09:38 > 0:09:40- Adie.- Hello.- Hello, darling,
0:09:40 > 0:09:42- How are you?- Nice to see you.- Thank you.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45I don't think it's the most harmonious shop I've
0:09:45 > 0:09:49ever seen. You've got very different shopping styles, haven't you?
0:09:49 > 0:09:52We are yin and yang.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55- I love branded.- Eddie pays for it, so he likes budget.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57Right, OK.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59Time to tot up the total of the Thomas's trolley
0:09:59 > 0:10:01for this shop.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04Adie, who's in charge the shopping?
0:10:04 > 0:10:06- Probably me.- I like to think I am.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09Me! I tend to get my own way.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12- Right.- I do all the cooking, so I must be.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15That went as well as that shop, didn't it?
0:10:15 > 0:10:17You've got a lot of fresh products and then
0:10:17 > 0:10:19you've got a lot of convenience products.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21It's hard to actually look at this and imagine
0:10:21 > 0:10:23it's from one shop. It's as if it's been done by
0:10:23 > 0:10:26- two separate shoppers. - It's definitely done by
0:10:26 > 0:10:28two separate shoppers.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30We are quite different, aren't we?
0:10:31 > 0:10:33And that's why you love each other...
0:10:33 > 0:10:35- Yes, it is!- Do you normally come
0:10:35 > 0:10:38- shopping together?- Yes, he doesn't like me coming
0:10:38 > 0:10:40on my own, because it's a disaster.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45Because we just end up with Pot Noodles and crisps.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47I do like to keep the snack cupboard full.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49So, how much do you think you've just spent?
0:10:49 > 0:10:51- Me?- 80? 90?
0:10:51 > 0:10:54That is just short of £120.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58- Oh.- Wow.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00Do you know what I think
0:11:00 > 0:11:02one of the problems is? That the pair of you
0:11:02 > 0:11:04are undecided on what your shopping should be.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06The problem is, you don't agree with me.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09And then you don't agree with me.
0:11:09 > 0:11:10For a family of six,
0:11:10 > 0:11:12£120 doesn't seem too bad.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16- Shall we get this home and have a closer look?- Oh, God, yeah.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19- Come on, then. - Provided this is
0:11:19 > 0:11:21- their only shop, of course.- I'll push it,
0:11:21 > 0:11:23because you look a bit out of shape, son.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25SHE LAUGHS
0:11:25 > 0:11:28These two are complete extremes,
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Mandy preferring expensive brands and Adie wanting
0:11:31 > 0:11:33the cheapest value items.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38But they really need to find a middle ground, in order to start saving.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41We've got four children between us,
0:11:41 > 0:11:44and this year is a big year for them. Because we are
0:11:44 > 0:11:47going on our first family holiday abroad.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49Harry's 16, he's only been on a plane once,
0:11:49 > 0:11:51when he was tiny. Tristan's never been on
0:11:51 > 0:11:54a plane, so it's a massive thing for them.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57With just five months to go before their special family holiday,
0:11:57 > 0:11:59Gregg and Chris need them to see
0:11:59 > 0:12:02the true extent of their shopping divide.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05I think this is a tale of two trolleys.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08This is what Adie picks and this is what I pick.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10Do you think you would be able to notice if we swapped
0:12:10 > 0:12:13- some of the brands?- I would like to think so, yes.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17- Really?- Yes.- Would you like to know how
0:12:17 > 0:12:20- much your average main weekly shop is?- Yes.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24It's just a smidgen over £82 a week.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28That's 20 quid under the average for a family this size.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32Maybe Adie's thriftiness is paying off after all?
0:12:32 > 0:12:37How often do you think you go and top up this shop?
0:12:37 > 0:12:41- Five times a week. - Twice a day, sometimes, I reckon.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44- No, I don't! - You sometimes go before
0:12:44 > 0:12:47- school and after school. For cartons.- Maybe.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Well, these are some of your top-up receipts.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52- Oh, my God.- You're actually topping up,
0:12:52 > 0:12:54on average, 12 times a week.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57No.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01You're spending an extra £92 a week in top-up.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04I'm spending more on my top-ups than I am on my weekly shop?
0:13:04 > 0:13:07Ah, so Mandy's undoing all
0:13:07 > 0:13:12- Adie's good work.- And that's not the whole story.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14- Oh, no.- There is more.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18- Harry doesn't eat at home, does he? - He's 16, he's out and about
0:13:18 > 0:13:21and he sometimes comes home and says,
0:13:21 > 0:13:23"Mum, we're all going to the kebab van," or,
0:13:23 > 0:13:25"Mum, we're going to the chip shop, can I have a fiver?"
0:13:25 > 0:13:28And when you say sometimes, you mean every day?
0:13:28 > 0:13:30- Mm-hm.- And then you're giving him
0:13:30 > 0:13:3220 quid at the weekend, aren't you?
0:13:32 > 0:13:34Yeah, because he goes out longer at the weekends.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38That's an extra £45 a week, bringing your total,
0:13:38 > 0:13:41with the occasional takeaway thrown in,
0:13:41 > 0:13:45your total weekly spend on food is over £230.
0:13:45 > 0:13:51- That's disgusting.- It is over £12,000 a year.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55That's... I feel really bad,
0:13:55 > 0:13:57and I am a really soft.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00Give her a hug before I do.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03I just adore my children, like any parent,
0:14:03 > 0:14:05and it's not good that Harry eats out a lot and I'd
0:14:05 > 0:14:07love for him to eat here, but I just think,
0:14:07 > 0:14:09- you know...- We're not saying this to make you
0:14:09 > 0:14:12- feel bad.- No.- You know, we don't want you to feel bad.- It just makes you realise.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14You don't realise until you get the figures and how
0:14:14 > 0:14:16many receipts you've just shown me on how
0:14:16 > 0:14:18- much crap I've bought... - You want to save money?
0:14:18 > 0:14:21- Oh, God, yeah.- You want to stop doing this?- Uh-hm.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24- Well, I know a couple of blokes who can help you.- Good.- Up for it?
0:14:24 > 0:14:26- Up for it. - Yeah?
0:14:26 > 0:14:29- You up for it?- Yeah. Definitely. - Brilliant, cool.- Thank you.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31- Let's crack on, shall we? - We need to make a plan.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34This certainly is a challenge. Breaking the
0:14:34 > 0:14:38Thomas's bad habits isn't going to be easy.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40I think we've got our work cut out here,
0:14:40 > 0:14:44I really do. This snacking is causing major, major problems,
0:14:44 > 0:14:46because it means the food bill's
0:14:46 > 0:14:48right up there, it means the children aren't,
0:14:48 > 0:14:50really, eating the stuff they should be eating...
0:14:50 > 0:14:52No, you're right.
0:14:52 > 0:14:5412 top-ups on average a week for Mandy.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56- That's out of control. - This is the danger
0:14:56 > 0:14:58of the top-up shop. Everybody does it.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00You pop in to go and get a pint of milk, you end
0:15:00 > 0:15:02up spending another 20-30 quid, and if
0:15:02 > 0:15:04you're doing that every day or every other day,
0:15:04 > 0:15:06- that soon adds up.- I don't think it's necessary
0:15:06 > 0:15:08for Harry to eat out every single night, do you?
0:15:08 > 0:15:11We need to find a way to get the family
0:15:11 > 0:15:14all eating the same meal. That will offer
0:15:14 > 0:15:17- great savings.- So, come on, cards on the table.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19What do you think you can save them?
0:15:19 > 0:15:22I reckon easily 50. You know, that's over £200 a month.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24I think we might even be able to do better than that.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27- I think we can get £70 a week.- And the loser
0:15:27 > 0:15:29- buys dinner?- Yeah.- Where?
0:15:29 > 0:15:31- Well...- Where I eat,
0:15:31 > 0:15:34- or where you eat?- Oh, maybe somewhere in the middle!
0:15:34 > 0:15:36LAUGHTER
0:15:37 > 0:15:40Whilst the Thomases are out, we've made a view
0:15:40 > 0:15:42changes to their kitchen - replacing the
0:15:42 > 0:15:47- contents of their cupboards.- Ooh! My God.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52- All taped up!- Some of their favourite brands
0:15:52 > 0:15:55have been switched for cheaper alternatives.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57Diet Coke with that label on?
0:15:57 > 0:16:01And some haven't. But will the family be able to work out
0:16:01 > 0:16:04their preferred brands from our swaps?
0:16:04 > 0:16:07I don't think that's the same.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09We've left a note
0:16:09 > 0:16:12for the family with a few instructions.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15"Mandy, we want you to cook for the family this week."
0:16:15 > 0:16:17"Adie, we want you to let her."
0:16:17 > 0:16:19And, "Kids, please try to
0:16:19 > 0:16:21"eat your meals and not snacks.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23"Good luck, Gregg and Chris."
0:16:25 > 0:16:27Keen to find out what is on Mandy's menu,
0:16:27 > 0:16:30they are rummaging for clues in the fridge.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34Oh!
0:16:34 > 0:16:36- What's this?- Ham?- Turkey mince.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39Oh, God, what am I going to be cooking?
0:16:39 > 0:16:41Mandy's just realised
0:16:41 > 0:16:43there's no microwave meals.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46I was slightly concerned that there wasn't... No ping meals in
0:16:46 > 0:16:49the fridge. But it's going to be a good thing
0:16:49 > 0:16:52for me, because I'm actually going to have
0:16:52 > 0:16:55to get off my butt and make fresh food.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58- We've got cabbage.- What is this? - What is that?
0:16:58 > 0:17:03- And even Adie is in for a surprise.- What is that?
0:17:03 > 0:17:06SHE LAUGHS
0:17:06 > 0:17:08That's hilarious.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10I ain't having this. If they've swapped my beer...
0:17:10 > 0:17:12I think you'll definitely know with the beer.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14- ..there's going to be trouble.- Oh, dear.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17That's got to last you a week, that lot.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20I think the kids are going to struggle with the snacking.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24But I reckon within a couple of days, if they see them
0:17:24 > 0:17:27going down and not topped up again...
0:17:27 > 0:17:29I think they might panic.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31- One packet each, per day. - Oh, my God.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33LAUGHTER
0:17:34 > 0:17:37The Thomas food swap is underway...
0:17:37 > 0:17:39See you later.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42..and Adie's kitchen ban has begun.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48Come on, kids. Ready for school, Harry, Poppy.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54Mandy is making her first coffee of the day,
0:17:54 > 0:17:57usually an expensive premium brand.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00I can actually taste, I think,
0:18:00 > 0:18:02- that may have been swapped.- She's right.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06However, this coffee is a whopping £3.41 cheaper
0:18:06 > 0:18:11and represents an annual saving of £177.
0:18:11 > 0:18:12It's not terrible.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19Usually, the kids enjoy a cup of tea
0:18:19 > 0:18:21and biscuits for breakfast, but not today.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Today it's egg muffins, cooked Mandy-style in
0:18:24 > 0:18:27her microwave.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29Egg muffins are not only
0:18:29 > 0:18:32more nutritious than biscuits, but cheaper too.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36All it involves is melting a tiny bit of
0:18:36 > 0:18:39butter in a mug, mixing in an egg, drop of milk
0:18:39 > 0:18:43and cheese and microwaving for just one minute.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46Here goes.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49- MICROWAVE BEEPS - Oh!
0:18:49 > 0:18:52And hey presto, breakfast is served.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54I feel better that you're eating something.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57You just have a cup of tea sometimes, Harry.
0:18:57 > 0:18:58Is it nice?
0:18:59 > 0:19:02Costing just 26p per egg muffin,
0:19:02 > 0:19:05this is one ping meal that is quick, cheap and
0:19:05 > 0:19:07a healthy way to start the day.
0:19:07 > 0:19:08It took me literally
0:19:08 > 0:19:11two minutes to make it. They all ate it.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14I think this is definitely going to be done again
0:19:14 > 0:19:16for breakfast in the mornings.
0:19:18 > 0:19:19It's actually lovely.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25Mandy's learning the microwave isn't just for heating up ready meals,
0:19:25 > 0:19:28it can actually cook things.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33So Greg and Chris have come to see if dietician Hala El-Shafie
0:19:33 > 0:19:37has any more suggestions for a good-value, healthy meal
0:19:37 > 0:19:40you can make in your microwave.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43Have you got a healthy ping meal for Mandy and less than £3?
0:19:43 > 0:19:46Well, I've definitely got a healthy ping meal.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50However, it's gone over the £3 - by a penny.
0:19:50 > 0:19:51- £3 and a penny?- Yeah.
0:19:51 > 0:19:52What is it?
0:19:52 > 0:19:54Pollock en papillote.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56A fish Pollock in a paper bag?
0:19:58 > 0:20:02First off, Hala gets the boys to slice some sweet potatoes very thinly
0:20:02 > 0:20:05to ensure they cook in the parcels.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08- Do you want to knock one up Chris? - Yeah, why not?- Do you want to have a go?- Yeah.
0:20:08 > 0:20:09Oh, brilliant, thank you.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12This dish doesn't need to be neat and tidy.
0:20:12 > 0:20:17You just lay some fresh and frozen veg on a piece of baking paper
0:20:17 > 0:20:19and top with a filet of frozen fish.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22The great thing about this, apart from the sweet potatoes and the leeks,
0:20:22 > 0:20:26everything else is frozen, so there's almost zero waste.
0:20:26 > 0:20:27Absolutely.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Hala drizzles on a little olive oil
0:20:30 > 0:20:31and chives for flavour.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36- Look how pretty that looks.- Does look great doesn't?- Yeah.
0:20:36 > 0:20:37Then I'm going to season it.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39Salt, pepper.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41Now it's time to get wrapping.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45En papillote in the oven, but I've never seen it done in the microwave or from frozen.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48Now, you're a clever lady. If that comes out lovely,
0:20:48 > 0:20:51I'm going to be really impressed.
0:20:51 > 0:20:56You'll find out soon Gregg, as two parcels take only ten minutes in the microwave -
0:20:56 > 0:21:00enough time to make two more to keep in the freezer
0:21:00 > 0:21:01for another day.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04The trick is to work fast before the fish defrosts.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10A few minutes later, the cooked pollock en papillote are ready.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12- There you go, Chris. - Thank you very much.
0:21:12 > 0:21:13There you go, Gregg.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17This is a one-stop shop where nutrition is concerned,
0:21:17 > 0:21:20because you've got all the food groups in here.
0:21:20 > 0:21:21Super rich in vitamins and minerals
0:21:21 > 0:21:23and packed with fibre and fantastic for the kids.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27There's nothing more exciting than literally opening their parcels
0:21:27 > 0:21:29and having this surprise.
0:21:29 > 0:21:34The moisture from the frozen fish and veg stops the parcels drying out
0:21:34 > 0:21:37and steams the sweet potatoes.
0:21:37 > 0:21:38Clever, eh?
0:21:38 > 0:21:41So, boys, what's the verdict?
0:21:41 > 0:21:42The fish is cooked.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44That's incredible flavour.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46Mate, I'll tell you what,
0:21:46 > 0:21:48that is a job well done.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51And all this for just 75p a portion.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55I think this is your biggest triumph so far.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57That makes me very happy.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03Back in Chelmsford, with Adie still out of the way,
0:22:03 > 0:22:06Mandy's re-gaining a little kitchen confidence.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09Dinner tonight is oven chips and fish fingers.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13Then I'm going to do a bowl of beans and a bowl of salad.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16In the past, Adie's tried to get Mandy and the kids to buy
0:22:16 > 0:22:18and eat value brands.
0:22:18 > 0:22:23I really don't think there's much difference between these global brands
0:22:23 > 0:22:28and what the supermarkets are producing. It's the same stuff in a different packet.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31Adie's never been supported in his kitchen views, however.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36And I don't think it's really giving anyone a very good life lesson,
0:22:36 > 0:22:38that they can just have whatever they want whenever they want it.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41Turn their noses up at something and have something else.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44I don't, you can't really do that in life. Life's not that easy, is it?
0:22:44 > 0:22:46This week, there's no choice.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50Greg and Chris have de-branded everything, including the baked beans.
0:22:52 > 0:22:53The beans are a winner.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56Yes, they're lovely.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59And as they get through three tins of beans a week,
0:22:59 > 0:23:02swapping to these own-brand could save £50 a year.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05Orange? Sonny, Tristan? Good boy.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09The kids usually get through 20 premium juice pouches a week.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12That drink, is it a thumbs up or thumbs down? Go.
0:23:13 > 0:23:14All right.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18Our swap to a supermarket brand offers an annual saving of £100
0:23:18 > 0:23:22and there's 95% less sugar per pouch.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25I would actually say these yoghurts are the best yoghurts I've ever had.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28- Ever. And I really mean that. - Mm, they're really nice.
0:23:28 > 0:23:33Saving 50p a pack, our yoghurts contain nearly 30% less sugar
0:23:33 > 0:23:34than their favourite big brands.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39But some of the swaps aren't so popular.
0:23:39 > 0:23:40First, the ketchup.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45- You don't like it?- It's too sweet.
0:23:45 > 0:23:50And our swapped wine, around half the price of Mandy's usual tipple,
0:23:50 > 0:23:53doesn't look much of a keeper either.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57Don't think I like it very much.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04Pizzas are one meal all the family do eat and Mandy and Adie
0:24:04 > 0:24:07usually buy frozen ones once a week.
0:24:07 > 0:24:13They actually look very much like the pizzas that I would buy.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15Mandy likes expensive brands, remember?
0:24:15 > 0:24:18And Adie prefers to buy value brands,
0:24:18 > 0:24:21so which will be kids think these are?
0:24:21 > 0:24:24I think this is supposed to be a really expensive pizza.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26- You think it is?- Yes.
0:24:26 > 0:24:27So, you'd have it again?
0:24:27 > 0:24:28- Definitely Poppy?- Yeah.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31- Tristan?- Yeah, it's really nice.
0:24:31 > 0:24:32Tastes a bit burnt.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35It probably is burnt, cos I cooked it.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Despite Mandy's cooking, the pizzas are a success.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42I think it's actually the one I buy.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45'Fraid not Mandy. These are Adie-style, supermarket own-brands
0:24:45 > 0:24:49and offer a potential saving of nearly £6 a week.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52That's over £300 a year.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54And to wash it all down,
0:24:54 > 0:24:56a firm family favourite -
0:24:56 > 0:24:58a glass of diet cola.
0:25:01 > 0:25:02I don't think it smells the same.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04Sonny looks like he's enjoying it.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07The Thomases get through at least two bottles of diet cola a week
0:25:07 > 0:25:11and the kids will only drink a premium brand.
0:25:11 > 0:25:12This one, in fact.
0:25:12 > 0:25:13We haven't swapped it,
0:25:13 > 0:25:17but will the family realise they're drinking their usual cola?
0:25:17 > 0:25:19Urgh, I don't like that.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22Don't think that tastes right. Really sweet and horrible.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24Are you sure about that, Poppy?
0:25:25 > 0:25:26It's not nice.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28It's not as nice as the one I buy.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32Except it is the one you usually buy, Mandy.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36- Would you drink that again? - No.- Yes?- Never, ever.- No?- No.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43With over six million litres of fizzy drinks bought annually in the UK,
0:25:43 > 0:25:46nearly half are low or no calorie.
0:25:46 > 0:25:51And with so many diet colas on offer, which one hits the top spot
0:25:51 > 0:25:52on the taste table?
0:25:54 > 0:25:57We've come to Cardiff, where a team of basketball players
0:25:57 > 0:26:00are putting five diet colas through their paces.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03If I could pick my premium brand out of other brands
0:26:03 > 0:26:04because I drink a lot of it,
0:26:04 > 0:26:06so I'm used to the taste.
0:26:07 > 0:26:12I have tried a few supermarket sort of own-brand labels,
0:26:12 > 0:26:14but, if I'm being totally honest,
0:26:14 > 0:26:17I always prefer the taste of the premium brand.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22The low calorie colas to be sampled are...
0:26:22 > 0:26:25Premium brand Diet Pepsi at 99p per litre.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29Tesco's diet cola at 28p.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32Waitrose Essential diet cola at 45p.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37Lidl's Freeway diet cola at just 21p.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42And, finally, brand leader Diet Coke,
0:26:42 > 0:26:45the most expensive at £1.11 a litre.
0:26:46 > 0:26:51But will they score or be classed as a foul by our basketballers?
0:26:51 > 0:26:53First up, the market leader.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55I don't like the initial taste.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57It tastes really artificial.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01This could be a supermarket own-brand, maybe.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04Next, it's the budget offering.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06Does taste a bit like diet Pepsi.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09I would say probably expensive supermarket.
0:27:09 > 0:27:14Probably a decent supermarket brand.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18This one is the market's second most popular brand.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22- Yeah, I would definitely say that's premium.- That's actually decent. - That's really nice.
0:27:22 > 0:27:23Nice and sweet.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28So, which diet cola has hit the spot?
0:27:28 > 0:27:30And the winner is...
0:27:31 > 0:27:33Diet Pepsi.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35There we go!
0:27:35 > 0:27:37Diet Pepsi won this game,
0:27:37 > 0:27:41but in joint second were two supermarket own-brands,
0:27:41 > 0:27:44Lidl and Waitrose.
0:27:44 > 0:27:45Third was Diet Coke,
0:27:45 > 0:27:48the priciest of those tested.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52Our cola connoisseurs chose Diet Pepsi as their number one,
0:27:52 > 0:27:56with two own-brand diet colas coming joint second.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59It seems it's definitely worth shopping around.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03I'm surprised I liked the cheaper supermarket own-brand
0:28:03 > 0:28:05nearly as much as the premium.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09Erm, I would definitely buy the cheaper brand or a supermarket brand, now I've done the test.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11I'm on my way to Lidl's on the way home!
0:28:11 > 0:28:13One, two, three, go!
0:28:19 > 0:28:22The more time Mandy's spending in her kitchen,
0:28:22 > 0:28:24the more she's enjoying it,
0:28:24 > 0:28:27but she now needs to start building on the basics.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30And where better to begin than at her burger van,
0:28:30 > 0:28:34where she usually cooks frozen, pre-prepared burgers?
0:28:34 > 0:28:37Today, Greg's hoping she'll make them from scratch.
0:28:37 > 0:28:38Somewhere along the line,
0:28:38 > 0:28:41Mandy's confidence in the kitchen has slipped,
0:28:41 > 0:28:43so I want to do some easy recipes with her,
0:28:43 > 0:28:47so that she can do meals for her kids.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49- You cook all day here for other people...- Yeah.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51..but you don't cook when you get home.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54Er, I suppose I've got lazy because Adie does it every night.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56If I am in the kitchen, which is very rare,
0:28:56 > 0:28:58he just interferes and I feel that I'm rubbish.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01So I don't bother any more.
0:29:01 > 0:29:05So, aprons on. Time to make pork burgers.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10When buying any mince, always watch out for the fat content
0:29:10 > 0:29:13and try to buy the leanest available.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16An egg goes in to help bind the mince with salt,
0:29:16 > 0:29:17pepper and breadcrumbs.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20- That enough?- A few more.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23That's enough for the moment, because we can always add more.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26Gregg's adding sage for extra flavour.
0:29:27 > 0:29:31I use dried herbs because they don't go off.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35For natural sweetness, Mandy's adding in some apple,
0:29:35 > 0:29:36and then spring onions,
0:29:36 > 0:29:39which are easier to chop than regular ones.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42Especially when shown how by a pro.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46You hold the knife like that, and you literally go like that.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51- Like that?- Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold that. You're just resting it.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54- There we go.- OK.- Three fingers, please. There you go.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58- Brilliant.- Aren't I good? - You are very good.
0:29:58 > 0:30:03You need to be fully hands-on to make the perfect burger patty.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06Your one looks better than mine.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08Well, I'm a professional burger maker.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11All mince should be properly cooked through,
0:30:11 > 0:30:14so when the burgers are brown on the outside, test one.
0:30:14 > 0:30:16Cook one more than you need, then you just break it up
0:30:16 > 0:30:18- and make sure it's cooked all the way through.- OK.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23- Yeah.- Good?- Beautiful.
0:30:24 > 0:30:29Costing just 73p each to make, these home-made burgers will make
0:30:29 > 0:30:32a great family-friendly replacement for the ping meals.
0:30:32 > 0:30:37But, for now, they're being put to their first test - Mandy's regulars.
0:30:37 > 0:30:41- Hungry?- Yes, very.- Do you want to try Mandy's healthy pork burgers?
0:30:41 > 0:30:43Yes, lovely.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46- Mayo, ketchup?- Mayo, please. - Mayo?
0:30:46 > 0:30:48- Sir...?- Hold on.
0:30:48 > 0:30:52- This customer looks a little familiar.- Ha-ha!
0:30:55 > 0:30:59- Thank you very much.- It's got a bit colder.- Oh, has it? Lovely.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01- How's it been this morning, any good?- Really good fun.
0:31:01 > 0:31:04- Really good fun.- Yeah, definitely. I've smashed it.- Have you?
0:31:04 > 0:31:07- Yeah, I think so.- Is that all right?
0:31:07 > 0:31:08That's lovely.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11- That's delicious, yeah. - Good.- Really good.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13Gone down well with the customers? Yeah?
0:31:13 > 0:31:17- Look like they're enjoying them. - They do, don't they? Happy days.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21I'm hoping that Mandy's going to regain her cooking confidence,
0:31:21 > 0:31:24cos she managed to cook for a gang of people today.
0:31:24 > 0:31:26She's only got to feed four kids at home.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29Pork and apple burgers are the way forward. They were yum.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31And, yeah, the children are going to love them.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34And I'm going to feel a better mum knowing that they've eaten something
0:31:34 > 0:31:35healthy rather than ping meals.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39- Well done, Mandy.- Thank you.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42With their new-found cooking confidence,
0:31:42 > 0:31:46tonight, Mandy's producing a home-cooked meal for Adie.
0:31:46 > 0:31:47When he's not interrupting.
0:31:49 > 0:31:50Mm, lovely.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53What have you done to my wife?
0:31:53 > 0:31:56- This feels all right, doesn't it? - Oi!
0:31:56 > 0:31:58Nose out, Adie!
0:31:58 > 0:32:00- Bit of lemon in there...- No, Adie.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03You've been here two seconds and telling me what to do!
0:32:03 > 0:32:05This is my point.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07Argh!
0:32:08 > 0:32:10She's made one of Adie's favourites -
0:32:10 > 0:32:14chilli with home-made salsa and guacamole.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18Mandy's used turkey mince, which is cheaper and leaner than beef,
0:32:18 > 0:32:21and added some healthy chickpeas, too.
0:32:21 > 0:32:26Very proud that I'm in the kitchen and I've done my husband a meal.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29Usually, the couple spend over a tenner
0:32:29 > 0:32:32on a taco kit and premade sauces.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35This home-made version isn't just better for them,
0:32:35 > 0:32:37but saves at least £2 a time.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39That's over £50 a year.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41It's really, really good!
0:32:43 > 0:32:46It is really, really good. That is good, that salsa.
0:32:46 > 0:32:51- You didn't chop them tomatoes? - I didn't chop? I can chop a tomato!
0:32:51 > 0:32:54I've had a lesson from Gregg Wallace, how to chop, thank you.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56Clearly!
0:32:56 > 0:32:57BOTH: Cheers.
0:33:01 > 0:33:07The swaps continue, as do Mandy's new uses for her beloved microwave.
0:33:07 > 0:33:11This time, it's healthier bacon butties for Harry and Poppy,
0:33:11 > 0:33:13cooked in just five minutes.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16Normally, when I buy bacon,, I go for the higher-end bacon.
0:33:16 > 0:33:21I don't think this is our usual bacon cos it's quite thin.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24But it does look and smells lovely.
0:33:24 > 0:33:25Mandy's right.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27We have swapped her usual bacon.
0:33:27 > 0:33:32It's a little thinner, but also has over a third less fat.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35Ta-da! Oh, It's crispy!
0:33:36 > 0:33:39That is a really cool way of doing it in the microwave.
0:33:39 > 0:33:43Microwaving bacon is quicker and healthier than frying.
0:33:43 > 0:33:45And, at 71p cheaper a pack,
0:33:45 > 0:33:49Mandy's looking at saving nearly 40 quid a year.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52To do that bacon without getting any frying pans out
0:33:52 > 0:33:54or any grill pans is amazing.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57It just took one plate. And it was so quick and easy.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00- What's the bacon like? - Really nice.- Is it?- Mm.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06In our supermarkets, bacon ranges massively in price.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08As a nation, we love our bacon.
0:34:08 > 0:34:12We get through 200,000 tonnes of the stuff every year.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16So, why is there such a difference, and is it worth paying more?
0:34:17 > 0:34:21Chris has come to a major pork manufacturer to find out.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26- Hello, Steve.- Hi, Chris. - Nice to meet you.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28Obviously, bacon is pork, but what makes it bacon?
0:34:28 > 0:34:32Bacon, in its basic form, is cured pork.
0:34:32 > 0:34:36So, we use a curing process on two specific cuts of meat.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38If we think of the pig itself, we remove the shoulder -
0:34:38 > 0:34:39the front legs, if you like -
0:34:39 > 0:34:43we remove the leg, we're left with that middle bit of the pig.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46We take the belly, the bottom half, and that comes streaky bacon,
0:34:46 > 0:34:50or we take over the top, and that becomes the back bacon.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55Curing is a way of preserving meat,
0:34:55 > 0:34:58essentially using salt to draw water out of it,
0:34:58 > 0:35:01making it hard for bacteria to grow and the meat to go off.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06Pork has to be cured to turn it into bacon.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09Most of the bacon sold is wet cured,
0:35:09 > 0:35:13also known as brine cured, where a solution of salt and nitrates -
0:35:13 > 0:35:15chemicals that help preserve the meat -
0:35:15 > 0:35:18is injected directly into the pork.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20How many needles are in there?
0:35:20 > 0:35:23There would be around 30-35 needles in there at the moment.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26- That must be a fair size, mustn't it?- They are quite long.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28I've got one just here.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30And there's a sequence of small holes right at the tip.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34The brine will come in through the top and then, under pressure,
0:35:34 > 0:35:37as that needle comes down to the centre, the brine is released,
0:35:37 > 0:35:39and literally pumped inside the muscles.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41So, you wouldn't fancy having
0:35:41 > 0:35:43your blood test taken with that, would you?
0:35:43 > 0:35:45- It would be a little painful, Chris! - CHRIS CHUCKLES
0:35:47 > 0:35:49So this is all about time.
0:35:49 > 0:35:50This is all about speed,
0:35:50 > 0:35:53efficiency and getting the lowest possible cost.
0:35:55 > 0:36:00This process means 40-80 tonnes of pork can be injected every day,
0:36:00 > 0:36:04making brine cured bacon the cheapest on the shelf.
0:36:04 > 0:36:06But if you want bacon that's been cured
0:36:06 > 0:36:11a little more traditionally, dry cured bacon could be for you.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14So the salt solution you're putting on there,
0:36:14 > 0:36:18is that the same as you would use in the brine curing?
0:36:18 > 0:36:20Yes, in a different quantity,
0:36:20 > 0:36:22but, in its nature, exactly the same.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24This time, instead of using water,
0:36:24 > 0:36:28what we're going to do is allow those salts and nitrates to
0:36:28 > 0:36:31naturally migrate through the meat over time.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33It's obviously more labour-intensive.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35The process takes a lot longer,
0:36:35 > 0:36:39so this is why dry cured bacon has a higher price point.
0:36:39 > 0:36:40Absolutely.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43The exact amount of solution to be used
0:36:43 > 0:36:45depends on the weight of the meat.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49And must cover the meat evenly. No pressure, Chris!
0:36:49 > 0:36:51Whoa!
0:36:51 > 0:36:53- And give it a real good rub. - Right, OK.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56What we do is get most of it into all the nooks and crannies
0:36:56 > 0:36:58right over the whole piece of meat.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01My co-presenter tries to get me to do this
0:37:01 > 0:37:03after a long shoot day, actually!
0:37:03 > 0:37:06Government guidelines advise you to eat
0:37:06 > 0:37:09no more than 70g of red and processed meat a day.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12That's the equivalent of three rashers of bacon.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15So, the Sunday morning bacon sarnie looks safe.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19With dry cured bacon costing on average, on average,
0:37:19 > 0:37:22nearly 40% more than wet or brine cured,
0:37:22 > 0:37:25Chris wants to compare the two in taste.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28- The brine cured, here, first of all. - Yeah.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30OK, yeah, good, meaty texture.
0:37:30 > 0:37:31I'm happy with that.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33But how does this compare to the hand-rubbed
0:37:33 > 0:37:37and more expensive dry cured bacon?
0:37:37 > 0:37:42Wow! That's a much meatier flavour. And texture, actually.
0:37:42 > 0:37:46Same ingredients, same cut of meat, that difference in process
0:37:46 > 0:37:49really starts to bring through an overall different experience.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52Yeah, I really like that.
0:37:53 > 0:37:57Chris clearly enjoyed the more expensive dry cured rasher,
0:37:57 > 0:37:59so, if something does tickle your taste buds,
0:37:59 > 0:38:02it can be worth paying a little bit more.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10Back in Chelmsford, whilst Mandy's enjoying being queen of the kitchen,
0:38:10 > 0:38:14Adie's been able to spend a little extra time in the gym.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19This week has been a real hard week for me at work.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22I'm not getting home some nights till well after dinner time.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25And I've got to come and run this place, too.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28So, Mandy this week, having taken on the kitchen duties,
0:38:28 > 0:38:32has really helped me out. Some of the stuff she's cooked this week
0:38:32 > 0:38:35has been awesome, real, good stuff, you know? And healthier stuff
0:38:35 > 0:38:38for the kids, too. Much, much better. Good stuff.
0:38:39 > 0:38:40Seems like the Thomases
0:38:40 > 0:38:44have turned a corner. Tonight, Mandy's tackling
0:38:44 > 0:38:45a family roast.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47Oh, that's a nice, big chicken.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49The family regularly buy a whole
0:38:49 > 0:38:53chicken but throw away any leftover meat.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55So they also buy fresh and frozen chicken breasts
0:38:55 > 0:38:59- for the week. - And put it in the oven.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02Done. As easy as that.
0:39:03 > 0:39:04If they just bought one
0:39:04 > 0:39:07chicken and used all the meat from it, they could
0:39:07 > 0:39:11save an impressive 416 a year.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14I'm pleased. I just hope the children enjoy it.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17When it comes to gravy, Mandy's a stickler for her pricey,
0:39:17 > 0:39:20premium brand. So will she like the one we've given her?
0:39:20 > 0:39:22It looks quite similar to the one I would buy.
0:39:22 > 0:39:26- It smells lovely. - It's not Mandy's
0:39:26 > 0:39:30usual gravy. But it is over a quid cheaper per pot.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34OK, right. Harry, does it look all right?
0:39:34 > 0:39:36Yes, looks nice. Thank you.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38This meal has cost just
0:39:38 > 0:39:42under £7 and could feed the entire family.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45Plus, Mandy has convinced Harry to stay in and eat it.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48- You would have that again, then? - Yes.
0:39:48 > 0:39:53- Really?- Yes, definitely. - I think this is as nice as Adie's.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56- As nice as Adie's? - Yeah.- Yay!
0:39:57 > 0:39:59Another success.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06Our new confident cook is making
0:40:06 > 0:40:08light work of the chicken that's left,
0:40:08 > 0:40:10using up every scrap of meat.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13Normally, if I had a chicken, I would never, ever pick the
0:40:13 > 0:40:16meat off because, I don't know, I've just never done it before.
0:40:16 > 0:40:20There's actually quite a lot of meat on it. It surprises me.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23With all that leftover chicken, Mandy has made a pasta
0:40:23 > 0:40:27lunch for under £1, plus Harry and Poppy have got
0:40:27 > 0:40:29chicken mayo wraps for school.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33Costing 27p a wrap, this is around a quarter of the price of
0:40:33 > 0:40:35their usual noodle snacks.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38- How is your wrap, is it nice? - It is all right.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41I usually just have pot noodle. It is better like this
0:40:41 > 0:40:43because I'm eating healthier.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46During the experiment, Harry and Poppy have been taking
0:40:46 > 0:40:48packed lunches to school, saving Mandy a
0:40:48 > 0:40:50fortune, as she hasn't had to pop to the shop
0:40:50 > 0:40:54for lunch items and snacks. But do the kids
0:40:54 > 0:40:57think their beloved branded crisps have been swapped?
0:40:57 > 0:40:59You can see they're not the same,
0:40:59 > 0:41:01but they taste all right.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04Yeah, they are supermarket own-brand ones and we halved their number.
0:41:04 > 0:41:10A saving of £9.02 a week. That's nearly £470 a year.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15Cutting down on crisps gives Mandy and
0:41:15 > 0:41:19Poppy a chance to make some snacks of their own.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21Right, we are going to make a dip, Poppy.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25Mandy cooks some frozen peas and lets them cool.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27Then throws them together with some
0:41:27 > 0:41:31chickpeas and a clove of garlic. A quick whiz
0:41:31 > 0:41:34with some olive oil and lemon juice, and the
0:41:34 > 0:41:37girls have made a green pea hummus.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41- I think it is nice.- And how easy was that to make?- Easy enough.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43That has definitely got to be better than
0:41:43 > 0:41:46- a packet of crisps after school. - Yeah.
0:41:46 > 0:41:50Costing £1.20 with the breadsticks, this
0:41:50 > 0:41:53cheap and healthy hummus certainly counts towards
0:41:53 > 0:41:54your five a day.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00But what exactly is your five a day?
0:42:00 > 0:42:03And how easy is it to get it?
0:42:03 > 0:42:06Gregg and Chris have come to discuss the importance
0:42:06 > 0:42:09of having your five a day with dietician Hala.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13What makes fruits and vegetables unique is
0:42:13 > 0:42:16they are absolutely maxed out in Vitamin C,
0:42:16 > 0:42:19Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, potassium.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22I mean, they're absolute powerhouses
0:42:22 > 0:42:24- for what we need.- What exactly is
0:42:24 > 0:42:28a portion of fruit and veg? Is an apple, a banana?
0:42:28 > 0:42:34One apple would denote a portion. Two satsumas, for example,
0:42:34 > 0:42:36as well, would also be a portion of fruit.
0:42:37 > 0:42:41We should eat 400 grams of fruit and veg a day.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45That's five 80-gram portions, or five handfuls.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50So, if one apple is part of my five a day,
0:42:50 > 0:42:52I can't just have five apples?
0:42:52 > 0:42:54- No.- They all do something different for us, don't they?
0:42:54 > 0:42:57Exactly right. Variety is really key,
0:42:57 > 0:42:59because we cannot get all the vitamins and
0:42:59 > 0:43:02minerals and fibre we need just from one fruit.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05Your five a day can be fresh, frozen,
0:43:05 > 0:43:08tinned or dried, but canned fruit must be in
0:43:08 > 0:43:11water or natural juice, not in sugary syrup.
0:43:11 > 0:43:13- What about if I cook them? - They do count.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16However, what we have to remember is, the more we
0:43:16 > 0:43:18do to fruit and vegetables, the more we
0:43:18 > 0:43:21- affect their nutritional value. - In some cases,
0:43:21 > 0:43:24cooking can unlock and release different
0:43:24 > 0:43:26- nutrients and minerals. - It can.
0:43:26 > 0:43:29For example, tomatoes. The nutritional value can
0:43:29 > 0:43:31actually increase through the cooking process.
0:43:31 > 0:43:33What about tomato puree?
0:43:33 > 0:43:36- Tomato puree absolutely does count. - No way!- It does because
0:43:36 > 0:43:38it is a concentrated form of tomato.
0:43:38 > 0:43:42However, ketchup, over there by Chris, doesn't count.
0:43:42 > 0:43:44This works because this is simply lots and lots
0:43:44 > 0:43:46- of tomatoes.- Yes. - Where ketchup probably
0:43:46 > 0:43:48- isn't lots of tomatoes. - No.
0:43:48 > 0:43:51- And this has got added sugar and salt.- Significant, yes.
0:43:51 > 0:43:55So one tablespoon of tomato puree is a portion because it has
0:43:55 > 0:43:59no added sugar or salt. So the carrot cake is out.
0:43:59 > 0:44:03And you can mix and match your portions.
0:44:03 > 0:44:06Olives are too salty to have 80 grams of, but
0:44:06 > 0:44:09combined with other veg, still count towards your
0:44:09 > 0:44:11daily 400-gram goal.
0:44:11 > 0:44:13Potatoes don't count?
0:44:13 > 0:44:15Potatoes don't count, they don't count.
0:44:15 > 0:44:18And that's because of the starch content.
0:44:18 > 0:44:19Which is a shame, cos you still get
0:44:19 > 0:44:22- goodness from them. - You absolutely do, and it is
0:44:22 > 0:44:25definitely a vegetable. However, sweet potatoes do count.
0:44:25 > 0:44:28Getting lots of fruit and veg into
0:44:28 > 0:44:30your day doesn't have to be boring.
0:44:30 > 0:44:33With so much variety, there's something for everyone.
0:44:34 > 0:44:36Take a cooked breakfast. You can walk out the
0:44:36 > 0:44:39- door with four of your five a day...- Go on, tell us.
0:44:39 > 0:44:41OK, baked beans, believe it or not, provided the
0:44:41 > 0:44:43sugar and salt content is not too high, they
0:44:43 > 0:44:45can be counted as one of your portions.
0:44:45 > 0:44:49Add some mushrooms in there, grilled tomatoes, glass
0:44:49 > 0:44:51of juice in there. You've got four before
0:44:51 > 0:44:54- you've even started. - Doesn't seem to matter
0:44:54 > 0:44:56how you get it, what's important is the variety.
0:44:56 > 0:44:58And that you get it.
0:44:58 > 0:45:01For more info and tips, go to...
0:45:06 > 0:45:09With crisps top of the Thomas kids' daily diet,
0:45:09 > 0:45:12Chris is determined to get them on track for their
0:45:12 > 0:45:15- five a day.- Lots of kids are reluctant to eat
0:45:15 > 0:45:17fruit and veg, and the Thomas gang are no
0:45:17 > 0:45:19exception. I've got a recipe up my sleeve
0:45:19 > 0:45:20that's going to hopefully encourage them
0:45:20 > 0:45:23to eat veg and engage them with a healthier diet.
0:45:24 > 0:45:28Hands washed, all present...attention!
0:45:28 > 0:45:30Right, you lot, we are going to talk about
0:45:30 > 0:45:33vegetables. Do you know what these are?
0:45:33 > 0:45:36- Cucumbers.- No, courgettes. Close.
0:45:36 > 0:45:39- Have you eaten courgette before? - No.
0:45:39 > 0:45:41- What about these? - ALL:- Peppers.
0:45:41 > 0:45:44Simple tricks, like
0:45:44 > 0:45:47smelling and holding vegetables, familiarises
0:45:47 > 0:45:51and encourages children to try them. And getting
0:45:51 > 0:45:55them involved in the preparation also helps.
0:45:55 > 0:45:57Bend your finger so you've got your knuckle against it.
0:45:57 > 0:46:01Perfect. That's it. Look at this,
0:46:01 > 0:46:03we've got a little veg workshop going, that's
0:46:03 > 0:46:06- great, isn't it? - Whilst everyone is busy
0:46:06 > 0:46:09chopping and peeling, Chris is tackling Harry
0:46:09 > 0:46:10about his eating habits.
0:46:10 > 0:46:12Were you surprised to
0:46:12 > 0:46:14hear that you were going out and having a fiver for
0:46:14 > 0:46:18- your dinner every day...? - Cost my mum a lot.
0:46:18 > 0:46:21Eating at home, four days a week, would save
0:46:21 > 0:46:23the family, over the course of a year,
0:46:23 > 0:46:25about £1,000. Because that's better, isn't it?
0:46:25 > 0:46:29- Yeah, definitely. - OK, let's crack on.
0:46:29 > 0:46:32Just mind the end of the skewer, it is quite sharp.
0:46:32 > 0:46:35Chris has brought some turkey with him and
0:46:35 > 0:46:37wants everyone to get kebabing.
0:46:37 > 0:46:40You can use any meat for kebabs and flavour with herbs and
0:46:40 > 0:46:43spices. But the important thing is to
0:46:43 > 0:46:45add as much veg as possible.
0:46:45 > 0:46:47Very good.
0:46:48 > 0:46:50Brilliant, guys, well done.
0:46:51 > 0:46:5430 minutes under the grill and the kebabs are ready.
0:46:54 > 0:46:57And looking tasty. But will the
0:46:57 > 0:46:59Thomas kids actually eat them?
0:46:59 > 0:47:02- The kids have made you a delicious dinner.- Wow.
0:47:02 > 0:47:05- Lovely. - Is that a first?
0:47:05 > 0:47:08- First in this house, yeah.- Is it? Did you enjoy making them?
0:47:08 > 0:47:11- CHILDREN:- Yes. - Two kebabs contain at
0:47:11 > 0:47:14least one five a day portion, and costing
0:47:14 > 0:47:17just over £1 a head, it's cheaper and healthier
0:47:17 > 0:47:19- than the kebab van. - I have had some good
0:47:19 > 0:47:21kebabs in my time, but that's just about the
0:47:21 > 0:47:24- best one I've ever had. - That's brilliant, isn't it?
0:47:24 > 0:47:25High praise indeed.
0:47:25 > 0:47:27It's nice to see them
0:47:27 > 0:47:29all actually sitting there and looking like
0:47:29 > 0:47:31- they are enjoying something. - I think it
0:47:31 > 0:47:34was nice we just cooked one meal.
0:47:34 > 0:47:38All of them enjoyed eating the kebabs, and eating vegetables.
0:47:38 > 0:47:40I think that's a huge success.
0:47:40 > 0:47:42Hopefully, this family are on the track to
0:47:42 > 0:47:44having a healthier diet.
0:47:46 > 0:47:51It's the last night of their swap week. Adie is still out of sight and
0:47:51 > 0:47:54Mandy's still making meals without her microwave.
0:47:54 > 0:47:57I've never cooked a batter, like a pancake
0:47:57 > 0:48:00or a Yorkshire pudding or anything. Because I
0:48:00 > 0:48:03go to the shop and I buy frozen ones.
0:48:03 > 0:48:06But this batter only costs 37p to make.
0:48:09 > 0:48:11We've swapped Mandy's
0:48:11 > 0:48:13usual sausages for these healthier ones, which are
0:48:13 > 0:48:16a whopping 82% less fat.
0:48:16 > 0:48:18- Oh!- And they offer a
0:48:18 > 0:48:20saving of over £100 a year.
0:48:20 > 0:48:22They smell lovely,
0:48:22 > 0:48:24and they look really meaty, but I'm still not
0:48:24 > 0:48:28sure if they are the ones that I normally buy.
0:48:29 > 0:48:31That is pretty impressive.
0:48:31 > 0:48:33My first go.
0:48:34 > 0:48:37After 40 minutes in the oven, Mandy's batter is baked.
0:48:40 > 0:48:44Now, who would ever buy a frozen Yorkshire pudding?
0:48:44 > 0:48:46When you can make that.
0:48:46 > 0:48:50That's just really rewarding. My sausage is sinking, though!
0:48:52 > 0:48:55But what will she think of the peas?
0:48:56 > 0:49:00That is definitely not my peas. 100%.
0:49:00 > 0:49:03Actually, I don't know.
0:49:03 > 0:49:06Well, they are another swap.
0:49:06 > 0:49:08This supermarket value bag of peas could save Mandy
0:49:08 > 0:49:11nearly 60 quid a year, plus there's
0:49:11 > 0:49:1525% more in each bag. Having swapped all of
0:49:15 > 0:49:17the ingredients, this whole meal has cost
0:49:17 > 0:49:21under a fiver and could easily feed six.
0:49:21 > 0:49:24Sausages are lovely, there's no fatty bits in
0:49:24 > 0:49:26there at all. I love them.
0:49:26 > 0:49:29- What does everybody think, then? - ALL:- Nice.
0:49:29 > 0:49:30Nice?
0:49:30 > 0:49:32Another thumbs up.
0:49:32 > 0:49:35Adie is now allowed in the kitchen but
0:49:35 > 0:49:38only for a well-earned beer.
0:49:38 > 0:49:40You know, once I open this, I will know.
0:49:40 > 0:49:42There will be no doubt
0:49:42 > 0:49:44in my mind whatsoever.
0:49:46 > 0:49:48Oh, that is, that's the good stuff.
0:49:48 > 0:49:51Positive it's the good stuff, Adie?
0:49:52 > 0:49:55That is definitely, definitely what I normally drink.
0:49:55 > 0:49:58- Definitely?- Definitely.
0:49:58 > 0:49:59You might want to
0:49:59 > 0:50:02reconsider that, Adie. We have swapped it,
0:50:02 > 0:50:05to a supermarket budget brand which could save a
0:50:05 > 0:50:08respectable £58 a year.
0:50:08 > 0:50:11- Good health.- And you.
0:50:13 > 0:50:16The Thomases have been tasting, testing and trying.
0:50:18 > 0:50:21This experiment has been, probably...
0:50:21 > 0:50:23This sounds really funny, but probably quite
0:50:23 > 0:50:28life-changing for me because I have learnt so, so much.
0:50:28 > 0:50:30It is really fun and really rewarding
0:50:30 > 0:50:32when you cook a meal from scratch,
0:50:32 > 0:50:34rather than just getting rubbish out of the freezer.
0:50:34 > 0:50:38Harry has got a part-time job after
0:50:38 > 0:50:41school and is eating in most evenings.
0:50:41 > 0:50:43I think it is really nice to sit down and eat with the
0:50:43 > 0:50:45family because we can all discuss our days.
0:50:45 > 0:50:49I sort of realise now how much that you have to
0:50:49 > 0:50:51work to earn your money and it's not that easy,
0:50:51 > 0:50:54Mum chucking me a fiver here and there.
0:50:54 > 0:50:57Having survived the swap week, the boys are back to see
0:50:57 > 0:51:00- how the family have got on. - This was quite an
0:51:00 > 0:51:04extreme change. We've got Mandy to cook, we've
0:51:04 > 0:51:06asked Adie to take a step back and support Mandy.
0:51:06 > 0:51:09We've asked Mandy to not be so reliant on
0:51:09 > 0:51:12what she calls her ping meals, her convenience
0:51:12 > 0:51:14foods, cooking from scratch and getting the
0:51:14 > 0:51:16whole family to eat the same meal.
0:51:16 > 0:51:19I will be amazed if those children no longer want a snack.
0:51:19 > 0:51:22I will be amazed if they're all sitting down
0:51:22 > 0:51:25- and eating the same dinner, happily.- Yeah.
0:51:25 > 0:51:28I'm intrigued to find out what's been swapped
0:51:28 > 0:51:30and what hasn't, because I'm adamant my beer was
0:51:30 > 0:51:33- the same.- I'm intrigued, and I think I've always
0:51:33 > 0:51:36said I like this and I like that, but when
0:51:36 > 0:51:38people actually strip labels off of food,
0:51:38 > 0:51:40I haven't got a clue.
0:51:40 > 0:51:41I said we'd save them 50 quid,
0:51:41 > 0:51:44you said more like 70 quid. Loser buys dinner, remember?
0:51:44 > 0:51:46I remember, yeah.
0:51:46 > 0:51:50So who will be buying dinner? Time to find out.
0:51:51 > 0:51:54How did you get on, firstly, cooking this week?
0:51:54 > 0:51:58I absolutely loved every minute of it. The children come in
0:51:58 > 0:52:00the kitchen with me, they had fun making the
0:52:00 > 0:52:02food and I think that made them eat it as well because
0:52:02 > 0:52:04we all sat down and ate together.
0:52:04 > 0:52:08So, Harry, eating out. He didn't really eat at home.
0:52:08 > 0:52:10Now he's home every mealtime. And I think
0:52:10 > 0:52:12because he's got a new job now, he knows how
0:52:12 > 0:52:15hard it is to earn money and he's kind of
0:52:15 > 0:52:17realised he can't keep asking me.
0:52:17 > 0:52:19- That's brilliant, isn't it? - Yeah.- How did the kids
0:52:19 > 0:52:22get on with, shall we say, reduced snacking?
0:52:22 > 0:52:25- They were fine. - They sort of sat and ate them
0:52:25 > 0:52:28and didn't make a big deal of it.
0:52:28 > 0:52:31How is that possible? You were going through ten grand's
0:52:31 > 0:52:33- worth of snacks a week. - I reckon there was about
0:52:33 > 0:52:37- 70 packets of crisps a week. - Did you top up?
0:52:37 > 0:52:40- Didn't top up once. - That is unbelievable.
0:52:42 > 0:52:45Gregg and Chris really needed to reunite this family,
0:52:45 > 0:52:48and so far, so good. But now it's down to
0:52:48 > 0:52:51business. What items will they choose to swap
0:52:51 > 0:52:54- or stick with? - How did you get on with the
0:52:54 > 0:52:56- pizzas we gave you? - They were really nice,
0:52:56 > 0:52:58- weren't they? - The kids loved them.- Yeah.
0:52:58 > 0:53:02- Oh!- Would you like to see how much you'd save on
0:53:02 > 0:53:05- these five pizzas alone? - Yeah.- Go on, then.
0:53:08 > 0:53:10- Blimey!- Just on them?
0:53:10 > 0:53:13£5.87? Wow.
0:53:13 > 0:53:18With an annual saving of £305 on Mandy's usual pizza
0:53:18 > 0:53:21choice, surely these are a definite swap.
0:53:21 > 0:53:24Would you have picked those up at the supermarket?
0:53:24 > 0:53:27- No, never.- We would have had an argument about that.
0:53:27 > 0:53:29Not any more, though, because we are sticking
0:53:29 > 0:53:31- to these ones from now on. - You will have to find
0:53:31 > 0:53:34- something else to row about now. - I know!
0:53:34 > 0:53:38- Now, what about those dreaded snacks? - The saving on
0:53:38 > 0:53:41this is £6.43 a week.
0:53:41 > 0:53:44- Wow.- That's over £300 a year.
0:53:44 > 0:53:47The snacks were reduced in number and in
0:53:47 > 0:53:50price, too. As old favourite brands were replaced by
0:53:50 > 0:53:52own brands and healthier alternatives.
0:53:54 > 0:53:56I'm not going back to 70 bags a week.
0:53:56 > 0:53:59In that one decision, you've got a healthier family.
0:53:59 > 0:54:02- Yes, I have. - And you are saving money.
0:54:02 > 0:54:05Now it is Adie's turn.
0:54:05 > 0:54:08- Beer, anyone? - Did you enjoy the beer we gave you?
0:54:08 > 0:54:11My beer, yeah!
0:54:11 > 0:54:13You would know if we changed your beer?
0:54:13 > 0:54:15- A million per cent. - Of course he would.
0:54:15 > 0:54:16He knows what he's talking about,
0:54:16 > 0:54:19this fella, he's been drinking that all week!
0:54:19 > 0:54:23- That is hilarious! I told you.- No way!
0:54:23 > 0:54:24There is a saving.
0:54:24 > 0:54:26- 64p for four cans.- Right.
0:54:26 > 0:54:28- Keeping it? - Definitely.- Really?
0:54:28 > 0:54:30- Yeah, defo. - He drank it, he liked it.- Wow.
0:54:30 > 0:54:33So your cola. How did you get on with that?
0:54:33 > 0:54:35The children didn't think it was our
0:54:35 > 0:54:38branded cola. They said it tasted a bit
0:54:38 > 0:54:41- like syrup and water. - So you wouldn't want to
0:54:41 > 0:54:44- keep the one we gave you. - No.
0:54:44 > 0:54:48- Oh, no! - The Thomases could save
0:54:48 > 0:54:51themselves nearly £150 a year buying own-brand
0:54:51 > 0:54:56diet cola, instead of their usual premium version.
0:54:56 > 0:54:58All them years I've been buying that.
0:54:58 > 0:55:00And then you take the label off and they don't like it.
0:55:00 > 0:55:02You made a toad-in-the-hole for the family.
0:55:02 > 0:55:05- So, it was a real success. - Look at that.
0:55:05 > 0:55:09- £12.21. - That's shocking.
0:55:09 > 0:55:11Producing one meal instead of five, like
0:55:11 > 0:55:14Mandy used to, gives them a staggering saving
0:55:14 > 0:55:18of £635 a year on one night's cooking a week.
0:55:19 > 0:55:22In fact, the couple chose to keep
0:55:22 > 0:55:2589% of the food items we gave them.
0:55:25 > 0:55:27Oh, my God!
0:55:27 > 0:55:30All helping towards their saving total.
0:55:30 > 0:55:33- Baked beans. - They were really thick and rich.
0:55:33 > 0:55:35Describes me and him to a T!
0:55:35 > 0:55:36THEY LAUGH
0:55:36 > 0:55:39But while some items haven't made the cut...
0:55:39 > 0:55:42- No, I wouldn't keep that. - I didn't like it.
0:55:42 > 0:55:46- He hated it.- ..they have made some savvy decisions, but
0:55:46 > 0:55:48just how much will Mandy and Adie have saved
0:55:48 > 0:55:52themselves for their first family holiday abroad?
0:55:52 > 0:55:54We have managed to save you
0:55:54 > 0:56:00a fairly respectable £85.70 a week.
0:56:00 > 0:56:03- That's massive amounts of money. - That is brilliant.
0:56:03 > 0:56:08That is £4,456 a year.
0:56:08 > 0:56:11My God, that is massive!
0:56:11 > 0:56:16If you continue to do this, in five months from now,
0:56:16 > 0:56:21you will have just over £1,700. You haven't had a
0:56:21 > 0:56:23family holiday before, have you?
0:56:23 > 0:56:27- We've got one to look forward to now.- I'm definitely going to
0:56:27 > 0:56:30- carry on doing this. - Seeing the transformation that
0:56:30 > 0:56:32the whole family has gone through is
0:56:32 > 0:56:35- genuinely lovely, isn't it? - And it genuinely is
0:56:35 > 0:56:36a massive transformation, it
0:56:36 > 0:56:39really has changed all of us.
0:56:39 > 0:56:42Really over the moon, I didn't ever think that would be possible,
0:56:42 > 0:56:45- to save 85...- 70.- 70.
0:56:45 > 0:56:48I've learnt loads. And it doesn't always
0:56:48 > 0:56:50pay to say yes to the people you love because
0:56:50 > 0:56:53I wasn't doing them any favours just saying yes, yes, yes.
0:56:53 > 0:56:55I was skint all the time and they
0:56:55 > 0:56:57were eating rubbish, so...yeah.
0:56:59 > 0:57:02- That was a rip-roaring success. - The transformation that
0:57:02 > 0:57:04that family has gone through is nothing short of remarkable.
0:57:04 > 0:57:08- How much did they save? - Over 80 quid a week.
0:57:08 > 0:57:09So I owe you dinner?
0:57:09 > 0:57:11- You owe me dinner, yes. - Actually, I know somewhere that is
0:57:11 > 0:57:14- doing a deal.- All right. - On week nights.
0:57:15 > 0:57:18Next time, a mum who can't stop baking.
0:57:18 > 0:57:21- Oh, blimey!- How many cakes is she making?- What?!
0:57:21 > 0:57:24Can Gregg and Chris help the family improve their
0:57:24 > 0:57:25diet and spend less cash?
0:57:25 > 0:57:28When you set a budget, is it a budget or a target?