These ersatile and affordable Aldi products are great if you want to lower your ultraprocessed food intake on a budget.
Like many others, I began this year with a goal – to start eating better, and hopefully feel better in myself. My diet previously wasn’t poor, by any means, but it could have benefited from a bit of improvement.
There’s so much information across the internet right now about what you should and shouldn’t be consuming. But it typically comes down to this – eating whole foods, minimally processed, is probably best for your mind and body.
I started making a deliberate effort to include more of these in my diet in 2026, and I’m pleased to say it’s actually been quite straightforward.
Dedicating a bit of time planning out meals at the start of the week has worked wonders for staying on track. While my goal is to include less ultra-processed food in my diet, I do get bored easily, so my meals and snacks need to be interesting.
There’s no true definition of ultra-processed food, but generally, it means food that has been modified with additives and other ingredients that you probably wouldn’t have in the kitchen. Not all UPFs are bad for us – such as wholegrain breakfast cereals, types of hummus and seeded bread – but having a quick scan of the label and picking things with the fewest or healthiest-sounding ingredients possible is always a good idea, and I think it’s made a real difference to how I feel, reports the Express.
Fortunately, this needn’t break the bank either. I do the majority of my grocery shopping at Aldi, and there are five items I consistently purchase most weeks.
While they may not all be entirely unprocessed, they’re adaptable and tasty, so here’s what I often select from the aisles.
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Sourdough
Beginning with an excellent sourdough loaf. I’m fond of a Jason’s loaf, but 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 taste which I love. Towards the end of last year, Aldi launched their own alternative, and I believe I’ve purchased it every week since.
You can’t tell the difference between the two, and with the Aldi one costing £1.59, it’s truly 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 loves a sweet treat, but if you’re keen to maintain your health goals, 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 ideal for portion control. Dark chocolate contains high levels of polyphenols, according to Healthline, which help the body in combating stress and preventing illnesses.
I enjoy having this during the evening with a cup of tea, or using it for healthy sweet baking. At £2.49, it’s excellent value for genuinely quality chocolate.
Peanut butter
Nut butters, whilst calorie-dense, provide an excellent source of healthy fats. Peanut butter typically is my preference, though some varieties are considerably healthier than others.
Numerous jars available in supermarkets contain excessive sugar and unnecessary additives. I aim to buy peanut butter containing solely peanuts and nothing else, and Aldi offers an excellent option.
It’s available in both smooth and crunchy versions, catering to all preferences. I enjoy this as a snack with apple slices, adding it into stir-fry sauces with soy and garlic, or spooning it to my overnight oats in the morning.
They’re also £1.59 each, which is a substantial saving compared to alternative brands such as Whole Earth.
Chia seeds
Following on the list are chia seeds, which contain exceptionally high fibre content, supporting digestion whilst delivering a nutritious source of omega-3 fatty acids as well.
As previously mentioned, I become tired of consuming identical meals repeatedly, so I need variety. I’ve discovered chia pudding makes an excellent choice – for the base, you simply need Greek yoghurt, a spoonful of chia seeds and some milk, then combine and allow it to set in the refrigerator overnight.
Then come morning, you can garnish with whatever takes your fancy. I alternate between toppings such as raspberry ripple, mango, peanut butter, cinnamon apples, blueberry cheesecake – the seeds are an excellent ingredient to stock, and they’re incredibly filling too, all for £1.69.
Tofu
The last item that always ends up in my trolley every week is tofu. This soft protein derived from soya beans is considered minimally processed, but there are still numerous significant health advantages that shouldn’t be ignored.
It’s an excellent source of protein, especially if you 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 may think that tofu is bland, but when prepared properly with enough seasoning, it’s delicious. I love coating small chunks in cornflour and sesame oil, air frying for 15 minutes, and then adding into rice and noodle dishes.
It’s equally delicious in curries, stews and tacos – there are genuinely limitless methods to prepare it, and at Aldi, it’s just 95p for a block, which is remarkable value.
