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ALDI TEAMS UP WITH CHILDREN’S DIETITIAN TO HELP PARENTS FUEL GROWING TEENS ON A BUDGET

9 July, 2026

Parents’ weekly food shops rise by an average of £42 when their teenagers hit a growth spurt.

A poll of 1,000 parents and guardians with children aged 13-18 found 55 per cent have seen them go through a growth spurt in the past year, with 81 per cent of these saying their overall grocery bill has increased as a result.

In fact, more than a quarter (26 per cent) find themselves making at least two extra trips to the shops each week on top of their usual food run.

With more milk (45 per cent), eggs (39 per cent) and cheese (29 per cent) on their lists of essentials to help keep teen hunger at bay.

After school is peak snacking time, with 46 per cent reaching for extra food between 3pm and 6pm.

While nearly one in five (18 per cent) raid the fridge and cupboards again later in the evening.

Of all the parents polled, the research found the average teen gets through three boxes of cereal, six packets of crisps and six portions of fruit during a typical week.

Alongside regular meals, they’re also enjoying extra bread and toast (28 per cent), as well as protein-heavy foods like chicken, eggs and yoghurt (21 per cent).

With 29 per cent of parents claiming their teens can clear out snack cupboards in just three days.

But it’s not just snacks driving up costs, with dinner being the biggest drain on budget for nearly half (48 per cent) of families.

In fact, 28 per cent of teens ask for second helpings a few times a week.

Overall, 65 per cent of parents admit keeping their teens fed while managing food expenses is a challenge.

Julie Ashfield, chief commercial officer, for Aldi, which commissioned the research said: “Many parents will recognise that teenage years often bring a noticeable increase in appetite, meaning the weekly food shop can disappear much more quickly as growing teens fuel their busy days.

“From bigger portions at mealtimes to extra snacks throughout the day, it can be tricky to budget for growing appetites.

“Many parents are feeling the pressure as they try to keep household spending under control.”

The research also revealed 40 per cent of parents with teens who’ve gone through a growth spurt are seeking out more supermarket deals.

While over a third (34 per cent) are turning to supermarket own-brand products to ease the financial burden.

And nearly one in three (30 per cent) are also bulking out meals with filling, low-cost staples such as pasta, rice and potatoes.

However, the OnePoll research also found 19 per cent of all parents are unsure what nutrition their teens actually need during these periods of rapid growth.

Balancing treats with healthier options (35 per cent), ensuring enough fruit and veg (34 per cent), and choosing suitable snacks (28 per cent) are among their top concerns.

Feeding friends is adding further pressure too, with over half (52 per cent) of those hosting their child’s mates saying it pushes up food bills.

Julie Ashfield added: “Families are increasingly looking for simple, affordable ways to stay stocked up. But it’s also important that we’re providing the right nutrients for their needs.

“We’re committed to providing access to affordable, high-quality produce, helping parents support teens through these periods of rapid growth without breaking the bank”.

Aldi has also partnered with expert nutritionist Lucy Upton to launch the Growth Spurt Shop [LINK], a dedicated online resource for parents and guardians to understand how to better fuel their growing teens for less.

Lucy commented: “Between starting secondary school and turning 16, a teenager’s daily energy needs can rise by close to 40% for boys and 20-25% for girls – the impact of which is felt not just in cupboards but also at the till.

“Given that teenagers often eat more in the evenings, both at mealtimes and as additional snacks, my advice to parents would be twofold.

“At mealtimes, try boosting the nutrient density of meals you’re already making.

“For snacking, it’s easy for teens to reach for packaged options, so having some nutritious grab-and-go options they enjoy can help.”

Lucy’s top tips for parents and guardians fuelling teenage growth spurts:

1. Don’t be alarmed by the sharp rise in appetite. Avoid commenting on changing eating habits or appetite. Instead, focus on easy ways to support extra demand, like serving meals in the middle of the table so they can help themselves to seconds, or keeping extra bread or bagels for late-night snacks.

• Add to what they already accept. Teenagers may be reluctant to completely overhaul their diet during a growth spurt but small extras like peanut butter, olive oil, cheese or milk powder can boost calories, protein and calcium.

• Build a “self-serve” snack station.  To keep up with high energy demands, try batch-prepping balanced items such as overnight oats, energy balls, smoothies, pre-filled sandwiches, a throw-together trail mix (with nuts, popcorn, dried fruit, and chocolate chips), or chopped vegetables with hummus in the fridge.

• Growth needs more than energy.  Teens need more iron and calcium to meet demands for growth and development. Boost intake with easy options like baked beans on toast or jacket potatoes, a tin of tuna mixed into pasta, scrambled eggs, melted cheese on pasta, a milky drink before bed or a yoghurt drink on the go.

• Protein is important. Protein is key for growing muscles and bones and supports satiety (fullness) for hungry teenagers.  A large glass of milk, a pot of yoghurt, two eggs, half a tin of baked beans or a handful of peanuts or mixed nuts easily provides growing teens with what they need.

ENDS

*Research carried out by OnePoll on behalf of Aldi UK on a sample of 1,000 UK parents with children aged 13–18.