'Proper' brands v Supermarket versions

The cheaper brands of paracetamol can be harder to swallow - the tablets are chalky and catch at the back of the throat. I find the caplets (not capsules) are smoother and the shape makes them easier to swallow.

Unless they turn sideways on the way down. swallowing a log in

I haven't complained to Asda about online shop items, Riverwalk.

I shall have to give it a try, and see if they are as accommodating as Ocado.

I depends how my eyes are, and how greedy I'm feeling whether I do an online shop.

I am due to do one, I'm sure, and a kindly gransnetter gave me a kindle thing, so it is bigger and altogether better for online stuff.

MissAdventure

Unless they turn sideways on the way down. --swallowing a log in--

Like my horse pills cod liver oil capsules - they are huge and always turn sideways!

I take zapain, and they are like trying to swallow a small sofa.

I saw a short video, wish I could remember where, on swallowing tablets. The guy demonstrated that normally when we take tablets we toss our heads backwards to swallow. He said by tipping our heads forward to swallow the opening is bigger and the airway is closed and that would help with those choking episodes when it "goes down the wrong way" My blood pressure pills are tiny so I never have trouble with them, but will try it next time I'm swallowing a large round or preferably "log shaped" cure.

MissAdventure I hadn't really noticed that to be honest as I have only a known allergy to penicillin. I've googled excipients to see what they say and it looks like a minefield!
I'm not at all experienced in this area but I am an avid packet-reader and googler of any meds I'm taking. I know I'm OK with the wood-pulp cellulose that my paracetamols use for bulking for example but if anyone is interested here's a fascinating (and digestible) paper:

www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/pharmaceutical-excipients-where-do-we-begin

MissAdventure

Unless they turn sideways on the way down. --swallowing a log in--

Looking around here I realise that practically everything is own brand, with the exception of coffee and dairy free spread and one or two other things. Aldi washing powder is great.

They say the proof of the pudding is in the eating - I’m not so sure about that! I realised this morning that I am currently eating branded Weetabix for breakfast. I would not have noticed that it was the genuine article without this thread to prompt me to look. I think I got it cheap in B&M but it’s no better or worse than any other make.

A tip for tablet-taking - take a good swallow of water immediately before the tablet, then quickly pop it in and wash down with more water. The initial gulp kind of primes your swallow reflex. It’s also a good way to help children get tablets down.

I use Aldi dish washer tablets instead of finish

Asda baked beans are exactly the same as Branston baked beans. Yummy

Zoejory

Marks and Spencer's Baked Beans are cheaper than Heinz and they are just divine.

I much prefer them to any other brand

Waitrose Essentials pasta is very good. I do buy Italian brands, like Barilla, De Cecco etc when on offer, but more often Waitrose dried pasta. My son loves their fusilli.

Co-Op Earl Grey is the best of supermarket Earl Greys.

Asda’s Extra-Special 3 fruit marmalade is our favourite now.

Surely big brands are those that pay for advertising. I am not going to buy something just because someone on the TV gets paid to say it’s the best. With the way prices are going I am sticking to the basics and cooking from scratch

For 'good stuff' JS Taste the Difference - Tuna, tea bags etc. Often do buy JS basic (tinned spuds), Napolina tinned toms better than JS. Bought a JS version of Jif the other day as couldn't find Bar Keepers Friend - awful, scratches surfaces and doesn't remove stains! - Then found BKF in Savers for amazing price.

I find it depends on which shop's own brands we are talking about, and which products.

I imagine the same applies in all countries, so it doesn't matter that I don't live in the UK.

Due to allergies, I only use one brand of washing powder and body shampoo, and don't experiment with others. I have, though, managed to find a "own brand" shampoo I can use.

Foodstuffs are usually substantially cheaper if you buy the supermarket's own brand, and but for a very few products the difference in taste or in quality is so little that it hasn't prevented us buying whatever it was again.

I always buy supermarket own brands. Many are made in same factories as the more expensive ones and often the same. One that really surprised me was Aldi Alcafe gold instant coffee. It is as good as the more expensive brands and half the price. I find most own brands as good as the expensive ones. I buy Tesco and Sainsbury's own brands. Have done for years. My favourite pizza is an Aldi one as are their red onion vegan sausages.

Aldi chocolate is far better than Cadburys. Similar to Lindt, possibly made by them?

I find a lot of own brands are just as good/better than brands. The only thing I cannot find a decent substitute for is Kelloggs corn flakes. Mind you I no longer buy them as finding small size packs in the supermarkets is impossible.

The same goes for shampoos and conditioners etc, everything is family sized and when you live alone with very little storage space it makes evething more inconvenient.

Why would you not buy Aldi washing powder? I use their liquid and it's brilliant

Love this thread..

My aunt went round a leading cereal factory and commented on the different supermarket boxes being filled as well as the main brand.
A few years back I know, but it stands to reason that I doubt each supermarket has its own cereal factory!