American in the UK buys meal deal for first time but Brits spot glaring 'error'

If you're in a rush for lunch, there's nothing better than grabbing a meal deal from your local supermarket. First made famous by Tesco, meal deals are now available in most supermarkets and small food shops, and typically allow you to pick out a main, snack, and drink for around £4.

The beauty of the humble meal deal is the level of customisation. Your main course can be a sandwich, wrap, pasta, salad, or sushi. Your snack can be anything from crisps to chocolate to fruit, and your drink choice can include options like water, an energy drink, or a smoothie.

With so many possible combinations, entire online forums have been established for people to rate each other's meal deal selections, as some swear that certain things should never be paired together. And for one American man on Reddit who picked up his first-ever meal deal this week, he learned about one big "mistake" he made.

• 'I cooked perfect steak for my wife but 1 rude comment made me instantly regret it'
• 'I moved from US to UK and six words and phrases baffled me'

The man posted a picture on the Meal Deal Rates forum of the haul he'd picked up from Sainsbury's, including a Christmas Cracker Club sandwich, a Mars Duo, and a Mars milkshake to drink.

He said he felt it was a "steal" that he got a full meal for just £3.95, but asked: "American in UK, did I do it right?"

Commenters on the post pointed out what they believed to be a big mistake with the man's choice, though, as they weren't fond of the "double Mars" decision.

One person said: "The Mars double up is a bit sickly, in my opinion, especially if you're having them together."

Another added: "That's a meal deal that people would judge you for." A third quipped: "Needs more Mars."

It seemed most people in the comments had an issue with the Mars milkshake, as many deemed the choice "subpar". While some said milkshakes in general were not the best meal deal choice, others claimed it was the specific one he chose that made him "lose points".

Someone explained: "I love milkshake in meal deals, I used to get a Frijj all the time. It loses points for being a s**t milkshake and having both a liquid and a solid variant of the same product."

Another argued: "No. You would have milk mouth, [you] always [need] a thin watery drink unless you have chewing gum or water already with you. Mars is good, but needs to be washed down."

Not everyone was against the man's choices, however, as many praised him for being "mad" enough to go heavy on the Mars products. Others said they didn't see a problem with his selection and gave him solid 9/10 and even 10/10 ratings.

Everyone's meal deal tastes are different, and no matter what combination you get, if you share it on the internet, you'll always find people who think you've made the "wrong" choice. Just go with your gut and eat what you want to eat!