Your Slimming Essentials – The Weekly Pinch of Shopping 12.07.24
Welcome to your brand-new Weekly Pinch of Shopping article! This Friday’s edition is chock-full of goodies you won’t want to miss.
Obsessed with GOLD BARS? McVitie’s brand-new Gold Digestives are heaven in a biscuit for only 80 calories each. We’ve never been so excited to put the kettle on…
Plus, we’ve not forgotten about keeping you fed for the Euros! Our list has plenty for you to snack on while you’re cheering at the telly, from oh-so-crispy Birds Eye Chips to fruity-sweet Raspberry Yoghurt Lollies and crunchy Lemon Meringue Clusters.
Don’t forget you can always let us know if you spot a delicious treat at the shops that you think we should feature here! Just make sure you tag us (@pinchofnom) – that way, we’re guaranteed to see it!
We STILL can’t believe that our most-requested cookbook ever, PINCH OF NOM: AIR FRYER, is finally out there in the world! We’ve already seen so many of you posting recipes from the book in our Facebook group…and yet it still all feels like a dream.
If you don’t have your own copy yet, or you can’t decide what to make first, go to our blog to see what everyone else has been making!
You can join the air-frying fun by picking up a copy just here.
Make sure to let us know if you spot any yummy-looking, slimming-friendly new products on the supermarket shelves – we might just feature them in our next article! The members in our incredible Facebook group are always happy to have a good old chat about lots of these shopping items. You can join the group by clicking here.
Our Weekly Pinch of Shopping list aims to show you slimming-friendly products that you can find online or in one of your local supermarkets. We try to make it as easy as possible for you to pick up these items as part of your usual weekly shop, and we’ll always include the calorie information and the RRP for you.
Please remember that, although all prices are correct at the time of writing, supermarkets can change their prices often, so this should be used as a guide only.
Along with our favourite new finds from the supermarket shelves, each week we include details of the Aldi Super 6. Every fortnight Aldi discounts a selection of 6 fruits and veggies that you can pick up for a fraction of the price. There’s a fresh selection this week, so scroll down to find out what’s included, along with some ideas on how to make the most of the ingredients.
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**A note on our shopping list: we do not take payment, promotion or gifts for including any of the items mentioned in these articles. We bring them to you because we love them and hope you will too!**
Specially Selected Indian Style Salad Bowl – 152 calories per pack
Running low on lunchtime inspiration? Aldi’s got you covered with seasonal buys, including this Specially Selected Indian Style Salad Bowl. The aromatic combination of shredded veggies comes washed and ready to eat with a sachet of mild, ready-to-drizzle dressing.
Toss in your choice of protein (we’d go for chicken chunks or tofu) and you’ve got a lovely lunch that’s ready in a flash!
It’d definitely go down well next to our Indian-Spiced Lamb Kebabs. We’ve loaded up skewers with chunks of marinated lamb and veggies, ready to be bundled into a low-calorie tortilla wrap or pitta – with a dollop of fat-free yoghurt, of course!
Remember, if you’re using wooden skewers, soak them for 20 minutes before cooking to prevent them from burning in the oven.
Specially Selected Indian Style Salad Bowl is available from Aldi, priced at £1.39 per pack.
The Gym Kitchen Salted Caramel Yoghurt – 140 calories per pot
You might be familiar with seeing The Gym Kitchen on our shopping list! Its newest products tend to catch our eye, and this The Gym Kitchen Salted Caramel Yoghurt is no exception.
While you can also grab ‘banoffee pie’ or ‘cherry bakewell’ flavoured pots, we fancied going for the sweetest of the lot!
The good news is, no matter which one you choose, you’re taking home 20 grams of protein to help fuel busy mornings or a mid-afternoon slump.
You could even try it with pieces of fresh fruit, if you’ve got some lying about without a purpose. Our Syrupy Cinnamon Figs with Greek Yoghurt is a prime example of the magic that can happen when you pair low-fat Greek yoghurt with maple syrup and juicy-sweet figs. It’s simple, but so delicious!
The Gym Kitchen Salted Caramel Yoghurt is available from Morrisons, priced at £1.25 per pot.
ASDA Marinated Pickle Pot – 25 calories per 1/4 pack
Something a little bit different to snack on, these ASDA Marinated Pickle Pots are low in calories and pack a punch. The medley of cornichons, cocktail onions and pink onions are covered in a lip-smacking vinaigrette that’ll be right up your street if you can’t get enough of pickled flavours.
Be warned: guindilla chillies are stirred into the mix too, to give everything a spicy kick!
If you love pickles on a sarnie as much as we do, you need to try these Chicken and Pickled Veg Baguettes. Inspired by a Vietnamese Banh Mi, each crusty baguette is brimming with tender chicken and a pickled combination of carrots, cucumbers and radishes. That means sweet, sour and salty yumminess in every bite!
Once you’ve discovered how easy it is to make your own pickled veg, it’s tough to stop. You’ll be spooning it onto burgers, salads, sandwiches and, well, everything else!
ASDA Marinated Pickle Pots are available from Asda, priced at £3.00 per pot.
Sainsbury’s Summer Lemon Meringue Clusters – 54 calories per cluster
Once a tub of Sainsbury’s Summer Lemon Meringue Clusters is open, they don’t tend to last very long! A moreish, summertime treat, each cluster of biscuits, crisped rice and meringue is covered in a tantalising coating of lemony yoghurt.
Tuck into them all on their own, or pair them with ice cream or yoghurt for an effortless zingy yet crunchy dessert!
If citrusy puddings are your go-to, turn to page 176 of Pinch of Nom: Budget and whip up a batch of our Lemon Meringue Pots. We’ve topped a reduced-fat digestive biscuit base with a lemon meringue pie inspired centre.
They’re packed with so much bold flavour, you’ll never miss the pastry! The most surprising part is that they’re only 268 calories per ramekin.
Sainsbury’s Summer Lemon Meringue Clusters are available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £3.00 per tub.
Boursin Garlic and Herbs Cream Cheese Minis – 40 calories per 10g
It’s no secret that we love cream cheese at Pinch of Nom. These Boursin Garlic and Herbs Cream Cheese Minis take picnics to the next level, by adding crumbly, cheesy goodness to salads, sandwiches or pasta dishes in a pinch.
You could even use them to top a homemade pizza, or stuff them into one of our reduced-fat puff pastry swirl creations.
A sprinkling of garlicky cream cheese chunks would make an indulgent-tasting pasta dish like our Creamy Tagliatelle with Roasted Vegetables feel even fancier. You’ll roast your Mediterranean-inspired veggies in the oven first, to get them nice and juicy before they’re stirred in.
Since the oven’s already on, why not bake some Cheesy Garlic Bread too? There’s no better way to wipe the bowl clean…
Boursin Garlic and Herbs Cream Cheese Minis are available from Morrisons, priced at £3.00 per tub.
Birds Eye Crispy Straight Cut Chips – 192 calories per portion (ovenbaked)
Within seconds of noticing Birds Eye’s Crispy Straight Cut Chips, they went in our shopping trolley. If the fluffy crispiness of Birds Eye waffles is anything to go by, we know these won’t disappoint!
They air-fry really nicely from frozen in just 10-12 minutes, and they’re a little more affordable than other brands in the same freezer section.
Eating chips from time to time doesn’t have to mean going off track, especially if you’re making your own. Forget about mashed potatoes or pastry, our Curry and Chips Pie uses chips as a clever, crispy pie topper instead.
By making our sauce at home and using easy, affordable ingredients, this dish has all the satisfaction of an indulgent takeaway order, for 361 calories per portion.
You can scroll through even more chip-based recipes on our blog just here.
Birds Eye Crispy Straight Cut Chips are available from Iceland, priced at £2.00 per bag.
Sainsbury’s Salt and Pepper Chicken Burgers – 126 calories per burger
If you need something to chomp on while you’re watching the Euros final on Sunday, a burger night is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. These Sainsbury’s Salt and Pepper Chicken Burgers bring the flavours without a fuss, lightly seasoned with a good measure of salt and pepper.
Stack them onto a wholemeal bun with veggies and your choice of sauce. A spoonful of chilli jam or our homemade Sweet Chilli Sauce takes every mouthful to the next level.
Fill that space on your plate with a colourful handful of crispy Sweet Potato Fries. Nice and simple, you only need three ingredients to rustle them up – and one of those is low-calorie cooking spray!
Serve them as they are with a pinch of salt, or add a melty topping of grated reduced-fat Cheddar cheese for a ‘dirty’ fries inspired portion.
Sainsbury’s Salt and Pepper Chicken Burgers are available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £2.25 for a pack of 2 (or £2.00 with a Nectar card).
Nescafe Aero Peppermint Mocha Sachets – 78 calories per mug (1 sachet + 200ml water)
It might seem weird to have hot drinks on the shopping list in July, but that’s British weather for you! These Nescafe Aero Peppermint Mocha Sachets are perfect for a sweet, warming mug of comfort.
Far better for you and your budget than a cafe-bought mocha, simply stir the instant coffee together with water. You’ll be left with a cup that’s smooth to sip, and bubbling with the signature peppermint flavours you’d find in Aero chocolate.
We love making slimming-friendly versions of higher-calorie drinks! This Biscoff Cookie Milkshake recipe came about when we needed a lighter alternative for a fakeaway night spread.
It’s all topped off with a swirl of low-fat aerosol cream, crushed Biscoff biscuits and low-sugar caramel syrup, at just 225 calories per glass.
Nescafe Aero Peppermint Mocha Sachets are available from Morrisons, priced at £1.75 for a pack with 7 sachets.
Sainsbury’s Raspberry and Yoghurt Ice Lollies – 83 calories per lolly
If the sun does start to shine while the football’s on, these Sainsbury’s Raspberry and Yoghurt Ice Lollies are nice and refreshing to snack on. A blend of silky yoghurt ‘ice cream’ and tart raspberry fruit ice, we can promise that every lick is slimming friendly.
While you’re making room for shop-bought lollies, why not save some space for a homemade batch too?
Our Strawberry and Kiwi Ice Lollies are as light as it gets, at 37 calories per oh-so-fruity stick. While they look as bright and colourful as watermelon, the flavours here are actually made with strawberry squash and fresh kiwis.
You’ll use a surprise ingredient to turn cordial into a thick and sticky syrup: xanthan gum!
Sainsbury’s Raspberry & Yoghurt Ice Lollies are available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £2.50 for a pack of 4.
McVitie’s Gold Digestives – 80 calories per biscuit
We’ve always loved a McVitie’s Gold Bar, so we were over the moon to spot these brand-new McVitie’s Gold Digestives! We’re talking about a sweet yet salty digestive biscuit base, topped with a luxurious layer of bright golden, caramel-flavoured chocolate.
It goes without saying that if you spot a pack, you need to take them home to dunk in a cuppa immediately. We can imagine these flying off the shelves, so make sure you get a wriggle on!
To satisfy biscuit cravings while you’re keeping track of calories, you can always prepare a homemade option like our Air Fryer Freezer Cookies.
This one’s not just a recipe, it’s a life hack! Slice as many cookies as you want from a roll of frozen dough, and then air-fry to your liking. The longer you bake, the crispier they’ll be!
Flick to pages 188-189 in our latest cookbook, Pinch of Nom: Air Fryer, to give it a whirl.
McVitie’s Gold Digestives are available from Waitrose, priced at £1.90 per pack.
NEW Aldi Super 6 Fruit and Veg Selection
We love Aldi’s fortnightly selection of fresh fruit and veggies! They choose different items for a special offer where you can pick them up for much less than the normal price.
Here’s the rundown of this week’s Super 6 offering, along with some recipe ideas for you.
Red Grapefruit – 42 calories per 100g
Grapefruit doesn’t appear on the Super 6 very often, and so we love to snap it up while stocks last! Add one or two to your basket and you’ll be left with a fresh, juicy ingredient you can chop into fruit salads, use as a porridge topper or bake into tarts.
Chunks of grapefruit work really well in our Halloumi Fries Salad. We’ve tossed together pomegranate seeds with zingy orange segments and sweet chilli sauce, so there’s no shortage of exotic flavours here.
Spring Onions – 32 calories per 100g
If we tried to list all the dishes you can throw spring onions into, we’d be here all day. From salads and fishcakes to risottos and stir-fries, they’re great for boosting savoury flavours without a fuss.
It’s tough to improve upon classic Roast Potatoes, and yet we think our Stilton Roast Potatoes recipe comes close. The sharp, nutty flavour of the cheese is more than a match for the freshness of the crunchy spring onions we’ve stirred in.
Radishes – 16 calories per 100g
Thanks to Aldi’s Super 6 offer, you can pick up a bag of radishes for just 39p – not bad at all! Mild and peppery in flavour, it’s really easy to make the most of the whole lot, by mixing them into salads or stir-fries.
Combine them with sugar snap peas, shredded carrots, seaweed and spring onions, and you’ve got the crunchy, vibrant salad behind our Honey Soy Salmon with Seaweed Salad recipe. It’s ideal for a midweek dinner at just 364 calories per serving.
Cherry Tomatoes – 18 calories per 100g
Whether it’s snack time or dinnertime, you’ll never regret buying a pack of eye-catching cherry tomatoes. Often used for salads, they’re also utterly delicious when they’re oven-baked until soft, and then added to pasta dishes.
You can also chop them finely to make our moreish Salsa Salad. This summery side dish brings oodles of Mexican-inspired flavour to your menu, just don’t forget the low-calorie tortilla chips to help you scoop up every last bit!
Easy Peelers – 35 calories per 100g
You can’t go wrong with a few mini easy peelers in your fruit bowl. Far better for your sweet tooth than cake or chocolate, one or two will keep the cravings at bay for a fraction of the calories.
Full of vitamin C, they also make a great addition to your breakfast spread, no matter how you like your eggs! If fiery’s the way, try our lip-smacking Harissa Eggs recipe.
Cherries – 50 calories per 100g
Budget-friendly and bursting with sweet, tangy goodness, it’s always worth bringing a punnet of cherries home. Nibble on them as they are, or bake them into slimming-friendly sweet treats like cupcakes, muffins or pies.
We’ve sprinkled them into the leafy salad beneath our Hasselback Butternut Squash recipe. Their sweetness complements the balsamic dressing, tangy feta and nutty pecans really well!
**Remember: we do not take payment, promotion or gift for any of the items mentioned in these articles. We bring them to you because we love them and hope you will too!**
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