Little Explorers is here - what should we cook up next?

[LibbyMumsnet]

Last month we launched our Little Explorers ready meals with Iceland - and they’ve already been a big hit with families looking for quick, healthy and good value options their kids will actually eat. From Mac and Cheese to Chicken Tikka & Rice, the range has been flying off the shelves.

Now we want to hear from you:

If Mumsnet and Iceland were to create more family friendly nutritious products together, what would you love to see next? We’re committed to keeping them free of UPFs and packed with good stuff. Think lunchbox staples, frozen snacks, store cupboard saviours… are there products your kids love but you’d be happier if there were healthier or cheaper options?

📊 Vote in the poll - then tell us more in the thread below!

Thank you, the problem with low sugar options and levels is that manufacturers simply add in artificial sweetners, this has consequences in terms of training palate but also the brain/body functioning and essentially teaching your body to crave sugar.

Manufacturers need to know to remove the excess sugar but dont replace it with anything.

Thanks for this. Snacks are definitely on our radar—as well as frozen puds. The key for us is keeping them free from nasties and low in sugar without compromising on taste. Not the easiest brief when it comes to snacks, but we're on the case!

100% agree

Thanks we'll certainly look into it.

Noted thanks

Thanks for all the ideas - will certainly put them to Iceland. On the potato shapes we've looked at these - it's hard to do these without UPFs, the ones on the market now tend to be full of them, but we've definitely set Iceland the challenge and will see what they can come up with.

Thanks for the suggestions!

That's a good point - cottage pie and mac n cheese don't scream mid summer - something to look at for next year maybe. Thanks

Yes me too - definitely something to explore with Iceland. Thank you.

Hi Icexream,
The range has been created with health as the top priority—I completely share your concerns about highly processed ready meals. That’s why every product in the Little Explorers range is free from artificial preservatives, emulsifiers, and added sugars. Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are strictly off-limits. No compromises.

I was a bit snippy with my beige-fest comment. I do apologise!
I still have a soft spot for Iceland after they took a stance against GM foods all those years ago. It's good that they have that spirit with their UPF-free ready meals and that they are listening to feedback ('scuse pun!)

They were the first to remove palm oil from their products as well and also they are dementia aware. I like Iceland personally.

Thanks, I’ve tried a couple of the meals with my 4 year old and they went down really well actually. Very impressive! Looking forward to seeing more :)

Hi there – just wanted to come back to you on this, as I was pretty sure our range had a higher veg content than most of the competition.

I’ve gone through the actual numbers comparing our Little Explorers range with the equivalent meals from Little Dish, and here’s how it stacks up:

Fish Pie
Little Explorers – 22% Little Dish – 20% veg:

Chicken Tikka
Little Explorers – 22.7% veg
Little Dish – 18% veg

Cottage Pie:
Little Explorers – 38% veg
Little Dish – 31.5% veg

The only outlier is the Spaghetti Bolognese, where Little Explorers has 20.5% veg vs Little Dish’s 28.5%. However, our version contains 19% beef, compared to just 5% beef and 5% pork in the Little Dish meal—so I’d argue ours is the more balanced, protein-rich option.

It’s also worth noting the pricing difference:
All our meals retail at £2, whereas Little Dish meals carry a RRP of £2.85.

Overall, I think the data backs up our position of being the most healthy supermarket range on the market and at the best value. Thanks

That’s great to hear! Thanks for the feedback

Thank you for such a detailed reply @JustineMumsnet! That's really eye-opening. We have an Iceland near us so will definitely give them a try.

Hi can you advise if the range has been discontinued as my local Iceland has stopped doing them and my little one loved them

Iceland have swapped them out of some stores in the run up to Christmas but you can buy them online here 😀

Thanks , my MIL had been ordering them online for her house but they never came last week either (think her stuff comes from the same store I was at). I will go to a food warehouse n pick some up they should probably have them in there

How to cook Little Explorers Mac and cheese. Instructions are covered with an unremovable sticker!.