Your Slimming Essentials – The Weekly Pinch of Shopping 11.10.24
Hello, helloooo! It’s been all systems go at PON HQ lately, between revealing our brand-new book cover and our Flava It! sachets coming back into stock on Amazon. Still, we’ve not forgotten to find all-new goodies for your Weekly Pinch of Shopping!
We’ve got two weird yet wonderful products on this week’s list: a roast potato flavoured mayonnaise and dark chocolate covered spicy tortilla chips. We can’t wait to hear which one you’ll try first!
Plus, we know for a fact that you’ll be bursting to try the NEW Little Moons Cheesecakes. They come in a small selection of flavours so far and we can confirm – they’re just as delicious and light in calories as the mochi balls. Make some room in your freezer right now!
Did you see our COVER REVEAL for our upcoming cookbook, Pinch of Nom: All in One? We shared a sneaky snap with our email list and on our socials earlier this week, and we’re over the moon that you’re loving our new-look book!
We can’t wait for you to try the fuss-free recipes it’s jam-packed with. Every single dish can be cooked in one pan, pot or tray, giving you all the flavour with less washing-up.
Thank you so much if you’ve already pre-ordered – it means the world, and we simply couldn’t do any of this without you. You can pre-order your copy to arrive on November 21st here.
View this post on Instagram
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.
Want to make sure you never miss a Weekly Pinch of Shopping? You can sign up to receive the Weekly Pinch of Shopping in your inbox here, so you’ll always be the first to read the new articles.
**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!**
Chocomel Hot Chocolate – 173 calories per 250ml
Brr, there’s definitely a chill in the air! Keep Chocomel Hot Chocolate handy to warm you up in a hurry. Simply give the carton a good shake, pour and heat gently – stir on the hob until simmering, or pop it in the microwave for a minute or so.
A hug in a mug, this smooth blend of rich, chocolatey flavours is good for the soul!
It’s never too early to make a comforting cup of Christmas Hot Chocolate. Our recipe keeps things lighter than you’d expect without spoiling the festive fun, by combining cocoa powder together with warming spices, skimmed milk and sweetener.
Don’t forget to top it all off with a swirl of reduced-fat aerosol cream, fluffy mini marshmallows and a rainbow of sugar sprinkles.
Chocomel Hot Chocolate is available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £2.70 per carton (or £2.00 with a Nectar card).
ASDA Tasty Roast Potato Flavour Mayo – 40 calories per 15g serving
The season of turkey sandwiches isn’t too far away now! We can’t wait to try a squeeze of this ASDA Tasty Roast Potato Flavour Mayo on a butty stacked with Christmas leftovers. With hints of rosemary, garlic and onion swirled in, you get the flavours of your favourite trimmings (we’re thinking roast potatoes or stuffing) for a fraction of the calories.
Our Air Fryer Pesto Roast Potatoes give the classic side dish a zesty, pesto-coated makeover. We like them crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle; tossing them into our trusty air fryer always does the trick!
Right before serving, boost the flavours with an added drizzle of lemon juice and pesto. You can make this one in your oven too, if you’d prefer.
ASDA Tasty Roast Potato Flavour Mayo is available from ASDA, priced at £1.10.
Warburtons Protein Soft Pittas – 151 calories per pitta
These Warburtons Protein Soft Pittas aren’t just high in protein, they’re also high in gut-friendly fibre with a soft, satisfying texture. Enjoy them as they are, or toast them before filling for a warm, fluffy lunch with a crunch.
We’ve tried them with tuna, sweetcorn and mayo, but we’d love to know what you fill them with! Let us know by sharing your pics in our Facebook group – we’re always on the lookout for lunch inspo.
Next time, we’re thinking of borrowing the flavourful filling from our Chicken Curry Bakes. The sauce in our recipe is mild by default, but there’s nothing to stop you stirring in an extra hot chilli powder, if you’re feeling braver than that!
At just 155 calories each, these golden brown bundles are far better for you and your budget than bakery-bought versions.
Warburtons Protein Soft Pittas are available from Iceland, priced at £1.50 for a pack of 4.
Morrisons Slow Cooked Chicken in Creamy Mushroom Sauce – 205 calories per 1/2 pack
Aside from being nice and convenient, slow-cooking is delicious all year round because it always unlocks new levels of flavour. That’s how we knew this Morrisons Slow Cooked Chicken in Creamy Mushroom Sauce was going to be delicious!
Once it’s ready, scoop a serving over pasta, potatoes or your favourite roasted vegetables for a quick and easy, nutritious dinner.
If you prefer tomatoey flavours to cheesy ones, our Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore will be right up your street. Inspired by the classic Italian dish, we’ve packed in more than enough veggies to warm up the whole family on a wintery evening.
Morrisons Slow Cooked Chicken In Creamy Mushroom Sauce is available from Morrisons, priced at £5.00.
M&S Dark Chocolate Habanero Chilli Tortilla Chips – 134 calories per 25g serving
If you’ve never tried chilli paired with chocolate before, these M&S Dark Chocolate Habanero Chilli Tortilla Chips might sound strange. The truth is, the blend of savoury tortilla, silky dark chocolate and punchy chilli is too good to miss.
A party nibble with a difference, pour the whole bag into a bowl and let everyone tuck in! You just might want to lay out a spice warning nearby…
It’s no secret that we love having fun with tortilla chips! A versatile ingredient, we’ve packed them into wraps, laid them on top of oven-baked dishes and even enjoyed them in a soup.
If you’re looking for a more classic way to celebrate humble tortilla chips, our oh-so-cheesy Honey and Lime Pork Nachos are the showstopper to serve.
M&S Dark Chocolate Habanero Chilli Tortilla Chips are available from M&S and Ocado, priced at £2.50 for a 150g bag.
Deli Kitchen Protein Pancakes Banana – 288 calories per 2 pancakes
When you want pancakes in an instant, crack open a pack of Deli Kitchen Protein Pancakes. Part of a protein-loaded range that also includes wraps and flatbreads, we were drawn to satisfying our sweet tooth and gaining 16 grams of protein in one swoop.
Add a couple of pancakes to your plate with your favourite pancake toppings scattered over. Fat-free yoghurt, strawberries and honey gets our vote!
For an extra-special October morning treat, why not wash it all down with a Pumpkin Spiced Latte? You can make the pumpkin purée and keep it in the fridge, ready to whip up a frothy coffee at a moment’s notice throughout the week.
Deli Kitchen Protein Pancakes Banana are available from Tesco, priced at £2.30 for a pack of 4.
Schwartz x Pizza Express Tomato & Herb Pasta Bake Recipe Mix – 328 calories per 1/4 recipe (prepared)
Anything that makes dinner times simpler is a win in our book! Turn over this Schwartz x Pizza Express Tomato and Herb Pasta Bake Recipe Mix, and you’ll find a pasta recipe that’s easy to follow even if you’re tired after a long day’s work.
If you’re feeling really hungry, stir in some freshly-cooked, shredded chicken breast or chopped vegetable leftovers.
The herby, tomatoey flavours would also pair like a dream with a crispy side of Cheesy Garlic Bread. The full low-effort recipe is on our website, or you can turn to pages 232-233 of our first-ever cookbook.
You’ll know it’s ready when the cheese on top is bubbling and turning golden brown.
Schwartz x Pizza Express Tomato & Herb Pasta Bake Recipe Mix is available from Ocado, priced at £1.20 per sachet.
Thai Dragon Chilli and Sriracha Noodle Bowl – 360 calories per pot
While it’s always best to whip up a bowl of something delicious from scratch, there’s nothing wrong with tucking into a ready-made option from time to time. This vegan Thai Dragon Chilli and Sriracha Noodle Bowl is ready to twirl around your fork after just 2 minutes in the microwave.
The sesame seeds, vegetables and noodles are all tossed together in a chilli sauce with Sriracha, earning every mouthful a taste bud tingling 3-chilli spice rating.
Our Thai-Style Green Curry Soup packs a milder punch, and it’s really easy to rustle up at home. The creamy, coconutty broth is flavoured with hints of garlic and lemongrass, giving our rice noodles and succulent chicken breast pieces the perfect balance of Thai-inspired flavours.
We’d recommend having a wholemeal bread roll handy – you’ll want to mop up every last drop!
Thai Dragon Chilli and Sriracha Noodle Bowl is available from Tesco, priced at £2.20 per pot.
Baileys Irish Cream Cakes Choco Cake Bars – 171 calories per cake bar
If you can’t wait until Christmas to try the famously creamy liqueur, you’ll love these Baileys Irish Cream Cakes Choco Cake Bars. The Baileys cream is sandwiched between two layers of light cocoa-infused sponge, and wrapped in a thin coating of chocolate.
They’re scrumptious as they are, or even better after a brisk walk alongside a hot cup of tea.
The Baileys Chocolate Cheesecake Pots that you’ll find on pages 228-229 of our Quick and Easy cookbook are the definition of effortless luxury.
Inspired by a classic cheesecake, the boozy Baileys-swirled filling is soft, creamy and topped with an irresistible layer of crushed biscuits. They’re ready faster than you can say, ‘grab a spoon and tuck in!’.
Baileys Irish Cream Cakes Choco Cake Bars are available from Iceland, priced at £1.75 for a pack of 5.
Little Moons Cheesecakes Chocolate & Salted Caramel – 91 calories per mochi
If you hear that we screamed when we spotted Little Moons Cheesecakes for the first time, we’ll deny it…but we definitely did get excited! You won’t blame us when you find out they’re available in two decadent flavours (for now!): ‘Chocolate and Salted Caramel’ and ‘Strawberry and Mascarpone.’
At just 91 calories per cheesecake ball, there’s no doubt they’ll be popular. If you manage to find them at your local Waitrose, PLEASE let us know what you think!
In the meantime, you can always turn to pages 188-189 of our paperback cookbook Budget to get a homemade fix of sweet yet salty flavours. Our Malt Chocolate Ice Cream is only 235 calories per bowlful, with crushed Maltesers, crumbled biscuits and chocolate syrup stirred in.
Little Moons Cheesecakes Chocolate & Salted Caramel are Waitrose, priced at £3.00 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 extra-special Super 6 offering (where all of the items are specially priced at 69p!), along with some recipe ideas for you.
Chestnut Mushrooms – 17 calories per 100g
A staple of slimming-friendly cooking, mushrooms of any kind are ideal for adding extra goodness (and very few calories!) to just about any recipe.
Give them their time to shine with our Mushroom Carbonara recipe. The velvety homemade sauce tastes way more indulgent than it is.
Baby Potatoes – 75 calories per 100g
Baby potatoes hold their shape after cooking, giving them a delicious bite that makes fresh salads and side dishes more satisfying. Why not take some home to make up a portion of our Garlic and Parmesan Potatoes?
Tossed in an Italian-inspired blend of fresh garlic, Parmesan and herbs, these crispy, mouthwatering roasties never fail to impress.
Mango – 60 calories per 100g
We love it when mango is in the Super 6! Juicy, sweet and full of nutritious goodness, snacking on mango will help your body’s digestive system, and curb your sweet cravings in one go.
Why not try the exotic, fruity flavours in our Turkey and Mango Curry for your next fakeaway night?
Sugar Snap Peas – 34 calories per 100g
We love the versatility of sugar snap peas! It’s always a good idea to snack on them, chop them into salads, or throw a handful into a quick and easy stir-fry.
Toss them together with radishes, shredded carrots, seaweed and spring onions, and you’ve got the crunchy, vibrant salad behind our Honey Soy Salmon with Seaweed Salad recipe.
Chantenay Carrots – 35 calories per 100g
These little carrots taste just like the bigger version, but there’s no need to peel or trim them. The perfect size for snacking, they’re great for dunking and dipping, especially into hummus.
We love making Maple-Glazed Carrots for Christmas dinners and beyond! They soak up the flavours from the juicy cranberries and our sticky-sweet drizzle like a dream.
Mini Apples – 53 calories per 100g
With a mild sweet flavour and a crisp texture, mini apples make for an ideal, slimming-friendly grab-and-go snack. They’re not just good for apple bobbing at this time of year, they’re also great for whipping up sweet treats.
Our Apple Strudel recipe is delicious all-year-round, but we love it even more when it’s a bit nippy outside.
**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!**
Love our Weekly Pinch of Shopping articles? Remember to sign up to our newsletter to get first access to the next one.
And if you’re not already part of our Facebook Group then make sure you join as we love seeing all of the new products that you share – not to mention all of the amazing support and motivation!