Eat Well for Less? S02E04 - The Parsons Family

Gregg and Chris are with the Parsons family in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, with a unique challenge. Mum Clare and dad Richard both juggle work with looking after two young kids, six-year-old Aston and four-year-old Ava, so they have found themselves in a rather unusual rut. In an effort to save time, the family have devised a weekly meal plan that has hardly changed in seven years.

Gregg and Chris pry into Richard's weekly shop with the kids and discover that, not only do they have a set routine, but they are stocking up with big brands and premium supermarket ranges, leading to a sky-high bill at the checkout.

Back at the Parsons house, Gregg and Chris discover the true extent of the family's mealtime schedule. Monday's pizza, Wednesday's spaghetti bolognese and every Saturday is fajita night, so it's not surprising that they're becoming bored of their diet. However, Clare admits that she is bland in her tastes and doesn't feel that there is enough time in the evenings to cook proper meals from scratch.

Gregg and Chris swap the family's food to introduce new dishes and to steer them away from the pricey brands. But, as a family who have eaten the same foods for years, will they be able to spot the difference?

Gregg visits Clare to show her that it's possible to cook healthy, tasty meals in under 25 minutes, while Chris gets messy in the kitchen with Richard, Aston and Ava, encouraging the kids to try new foods.

The great British public are put to the test as they sample a range of ice creams, and Chris discovers the difference between fresh and dried pasta. Meanwhile, Gregg investigates how water gets from rivers to our taps and how safe it is to drink, to try to help the Parsons save money by stopping them splashing the cash on bottled water.