The Cost Of Growing Up As Parents In Scotland Spend More Per Week For Teenagers

As research reveals that parents' weekly food bills in Scotland rise by an average of £42 when their teenagers hit a growth spurt, Aldi has launched a dedicated Growth Spurt Shop to help parents fuel hungry teenagers without breaking the bank.

Britain’s biggest discounter has partnered with children's dietitian Lucy Upton to create the resource after the research found that 32% of parents in Scotland are unsure on what their growing teens really need nutritionally.

The poll of 1,000 parents with children aged 13–18 found 60% of those in Scotland say keeping their teens fed while managing food expenses is a challenge, with 30% making at least two extra trips to the shops each week.

To help parents in Scotland keep hungry teenagers fed without breaking the bank, Aldi’s Growth Spurt Shop offers a curated shopping basket of 10 essential items costing just £13.04.

The Growth Spurt Shop basket includes affordable staples chosen by Lucy for their nutritional value, including:

• British Medium Free Range Eggs 12 Pack – £2.49

• Creamy 100% Peanut Butter (340g) – £1.39

• Porridge Oats (1kg) – £0.85

• Wholewheat Pasta (500g) – £0.75

• Semi Skimmed Milk – £1.65

• Greek Yoghurt 10% Fat (500g) – £1.99

• Bananas (5 pack) – £0.78

• Frozen Summer Fruits (500g) – £1.99

• Baked Beans in a Rich Tomato Sauce (410g) – £0.40

• Wholemeal Sliced Loaf (800g) – £0.75

The research found after school is the peak snacking window for teens in Scotland, with 52% of teenagers reaching for extra food between 3pm and 6pm, and 54% of parents saying their teens can clear out snack cupboards in just three days.

Dinner is the biggest drain on budget for 43% of families, with 53% of teens regularly asking for second helpings.

To save money, 48% of parents in Scotland are seeking out supermarket deals, 22% are turning to own-brand products, and 22% are bulking out meals with low-cost staples like pasta, rice and potatoes.

Lucy Upton said:

"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."

Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, 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."

"As Britain’s biggest discounter, we're committed to making healthy, high-quality food affordable for everyone. As part of that, we're working towards having 85% of our sales come from healthier products by 2027. That means parents can feel confident they're filling growing appetites with nutritious food that offers great value – without breaking the bank."

The Growth Spurt Shop is now live and can be viewed here.