Meal deal = main + snack/side + drink

The "main" has expanded to Huel, salads, wraps, sushi, even hot food

The "snack" can be more than crisps: small bags of fresh chicken, 2 boiled eggs, small sushi pack, gyozas etc

The "drink" includes quality smoothies, acceptable vending machine coffee etc

Meal deal value maximizing is the whole game lol. There are also lots of healthier options if you choose carefully

In certain Sainsbury's you can get hot food as the main such as a small green curry or chicken goujons, and wedges or hash browns as the side

But the price creeps up £0.50 practically yearly. I think it's £5.50 already in Sainsbury's

It's better to view it as a cheaper alternative to eating at a restaurant rather than somehow saving money compared to bringing in leftovers. People who think £5.50 a day for lunch is saving money versus cooking themselves are delusional