These Aldi staples help keep ultra-processed foods out of my weekly shop whilst staying on budget.
Like so many others, I began this year with one goal – to improve my eating habits and, hopefully, enhance my overall wellbeing too. My previous diet wasn’t terrible by any stretch, but there was certainly room for improvement.
The internet is full of information about dietary dos and don’ts right now. But it typically boils down to this – consuming whole foods with minimal processing is likely best for both mental and physical health.
I’ve been making a deliberate effort to add more of these into my meals in 2026, and I’m pleased to report it’s been surprisingly easy.
Dedicating some time to meal planning at the start of each week has been vital for maintaining consistency. While my aim is to reduce ultra-processed foods in my diet, I become bored quite easily, so my meals and snacks must be interesting.
There’s no precise definition of ultra-processed food, but broadly speaking, it refers to food altered with additives and other components you’d be unlikely to find in your kitchen cupboards. Not all UPFs are detrimental to our health – such as wholegrain breakfast cereals, certain types of hummus and seeded bread – but quickly checking the label and selecting items with the fewest or most wholesome-sounding ingredients is sensible, and I believe it’s genuinely improved how I feel, reports the Express.
Luckily, eating well doesn’t have to break the bank. I do the majority of my food shopping at Aldi, and there are five items I consistently add to my basket most weeks.
While they may not all be entirely unprocessed, they’re adaptable and tasty, so here’s what I regularly grab from the aisles.
Ensure our latest lifestyle and travel headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings
Sourdough
Beginning with a quality sourdough loaf. While I’m fond of Jason’s bread, Aldi has significantly improved their sourdough range lately and one of the recent additions might be my new favourite.
The Jason’s ciabattin loaf is typically my first choice, as it’s smaller than a standard sourdough and has a sharper flavour which I adore. Towards the end of last year, Aldi launched their own alternative, and I thin kI’ve purchased it every week since.
You genuinely can’t tell the difference between the two, and with the Aldi one costing £1.59, it’s really a no-brainer. The ingredients are minimal, it freezes great, and it makes the perfect slice of toast – what’s not to love?
Dark chocolate
Everyone likes a sweet treat, but if you’re keen to stick to your health objectives, dark chocolate is an excellent choice. The higher the cocoa percentage, the better – and Aldi stocks an 85% variety which I purchase without fail every single week.
Each piece is individually wrapped, which is great for portion control. Dark chocolate contains high levels of polyphenols, according to Healthline, which assist the body in combating stress and preventing illness.
I enjoy this in the evenings alongside a cup of tea, or adding it into healthier homemade desserts. At £2.49, it is excellent value for genuinely quality chocolate.
Peanut butter
While nut butters are calorie-dense, they provide an excellent source of healthy fats. Peanut butter tends to be my favourite, though some varieties are considerably healthier than others.
Numerous jars available in supermarkets contain added sugar and other unnecessary ingredients. I opt for peanut butter containing solely peanuts and nothing else, and Aldi offers an excellent option.
Available in both smooth and crunchy variants, it caters to all preferences. I love this as a snack paired with apple slices, adding it into stir-fry sauces alongside soy and garlic, or adding it to my overnight oats in the morning.
At just £1.59 each, it’s remarkably good value compared to alternative brands such as Whole Earth.
Chia seeds
Following that are chia seeds, which boast exceptionally high fibre content, supporting digestion whilst delivering a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids as well.
As previously mentioned, I find eating identical meals very tedious, so variety is essential for me. Chia pudding has proven to be an excellent choice – the base requires only Greek yogurt, a spoonful of chia seeds and some milk, then simply combine and refrigerate overnight to set.
Then in the morning, you can add whatever toppings you fancy. I alternate between options like raspberry ripple, mango, peanut butter, cinnamon apples, blueberry cheesecake – the seeds make an excellent ingredient and are incredibly satisfying too, all for just £1.69.
Tofu
The last item that consistently makes it into my weekly shop is tofu. This soft protein derived from soya beans is classified as minimally processed, but still offers numerous significant health benefits that deserve recognition.
It serves as an excellent protein source, particularly for those who avoid animal products but still want to support muscle recovery. It also provides all of the essential amino acids your body requires, according to Healthline.
You might assume that tofu lacks flavour, but when prepared properly with enough seasoning, it’s absolutely delicious. I enjoy coating small chunks in cornflour and sesame oil, air frying for 15 minutes, then adding into rice and noodle dishes.
It’s equally tasty in curries, stews and tacos – there are genuinely endless preparation methods, and at Aldi, it costs only 95p per block, which s remarkable value.
