The Weekly Pinch of Shopping: The Heatwave Edition
It’s looking like we’re in for another scorcher this weekend! This week’s shopping list is here to take the “What’s on the menu?!” stress out of the heat wave, with some easy al fresco dining ideas and a few frozen treats to cool you down.
There’s tasty dips; crunchy, colourful slaw; picky bits; and plenty of PON recipes to keep you cool while still eating well and making the most of those double-digit temps. Whether you’re firing up the barbecue, throwing together a fun picnic, or just trying to avoid turning the oven on, we’ve got you covered!
If standing over a hot hob isn’t your idea of fun, why not give future you a helping hand? Our upcoming Meal Prep cookbook is currently 20% off at Waterstones. And because it’s a pre-order, if you secure your copy today, you won’t be charged until publication day on 24th September! That’s one more thing future you can thank present you for!
Meal Prep is packed with clever ways to plan ahead, fill your fridge and freezer with delicious slimming-friendly meals, and make busy evenings easier. Think batch-cooking, grab-and-go lunches, freezer-friendly dinners and recipes that are ready whenever you are.
Click here or the image below to grab a copy!
Let’s beat the heat, shall we?!
ASDA Stonebaked Chicken Gyros Pizza 355g – 373 calories per 1/2 pizza
Can’t decide between Italian or Greek? With this pizza from ASDA, you don’t have to! We love the sound of these light, fresh toppings for sunny evenings.
And if you just can’t get enough of those delicious Mediterranean flavours, our Chicken Gyros Kebabs are perfect for your next BBQ!
ASDA Stonebaked Chicken Gyros Pizza is available from ASDA, priced at £2 per pizza.
Fire up the grill.
Ramona’s Jalapeño Heavenly Houmous – 262 calories per 100g
We love a flavourful twist on a classic dip, and this jalapeño houmous is no exception! Now all you need to do is choose your weapon… cucumber or carrot baton? Pitta strip? Tortilla chip?
If you’re anything like us, and once you start dipping, you can’t stop… add our slimming-friendly Spinach and Pesto Dip to your rotation!
Ramona’s Jalapeño Heavenly Houmous is available from ASDA, priced at £3.54 per tub.
Simple but impressive.
Twister Mini Pineapple Ice Cream Lollies 6 x 50ml – 43 calories per serving
We spied these Twister Mini Pineapple Ice Cream Lollies in the freezer aisle and thought they looked like a fab way to cool down when temps skyrocket this weekend!
For even more cooling fruity goodness, our Frozen Pineapple Whip takes just 10 minutes to make and it’s only 61 calories per scoop!
Twister Mini Pineapple Ice Cream Lollies are available from ASDA, priced at £2.74 per box — and you can get any 2 for £4.
ASDA The Deli Honey & Balsamic Chorizo 150g – 171 calories per 1/3 pack
While picnic season’s still in full swing, it’s worth stocking up on your picky bits. These sweet chorizo snacks are coated in a lovely balsamic glaze, and you can enjoy them hot or cold. What’s not to love!
Our Mozzarella-Topped Chicken with Balsamic Cherry Tomatoes is another refreshing balsamic-flavoured plate that’s perfect for warm weather.
ASDA The Deli Honey & Balsamic Chorizo is available from ASDA, priced at £2.98 per packet — and you can get any 3 for £7.
A perfect summer plate.
Nando’s Creamy Peri-Peri Sauce 125g – 75 calories per serving
Craving a Nando’s? Bring their trademark peri-peri deliciousness to you with this creamy peri-peri sauce.
We’ve even got your dipping options covered! We think the creamy, herby notes of the Nando’s sauce will offset our Spicy Chicken Nuggets nicely, and we’ve also included our own slimming-friendly feta dip alongside the recipe!
Nandos’s Creamy Peri-Peri Sauce is available from Tesco, priced at £2.30 per bottle.
Spice up your next mealtime.
Tesco Finest Halloumi & Hot Honey Filo Batons 126g – 104 calories per baton
The halloumi and hot honey craze continues with these Halloumi & Hot Honey Batons from the Tesco Finest range! We don’t know about you, but we’ll certainly be giving them a try.
For another salty-sweet way to enjoy your halloumi, this salad is a tasty mix of salty, breadcrumb coated Cypriot cheese served on a bed of juicy fruit and crunchy veggies.
Tesco Finest Halloumi & Hot Honey Filo Batons are available from Tesco, priced at £3.75 per packet — or you can get any 3 for £8 or any 5 for £12 with your Clubcard.
This gives salad a good name.
Higgidy Shakshuka Inspired Red Pepper & Greek Feta Brunch Quiche 400g – 230 calories per 1/4 quiche
Quiche is always great in the sunshine because you can serve it chilled or at room temp, so it’s great for all kinds of al fresco dining, whether you’re BBQ-ing or picnicking. This shakshuka-inspired version from Higgidy is made with Belazu rose harissa and free range eggs… talk about quality ingredients.
We’ve got our very own Breakfast Quiche, only it’s inspired by the good old English fry-up. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it!
Higgidy Shakshuka Inspired Red Pepper & Greek Feta Brunch Quiche is available from Tesco, priced at £4.60 per quiche — or just £3.50 with your Clubcard.
Start your day the right way.
Tesco Spicy Meat and Cheese Selection 120g – 40 calories per 2 slices
This Tesco Spicy Meat and Cheese Selection wouldn’t go amiss in your picnic spread either!
Or if you prefer your meat and cheese wrapped in golden flaky pastry, these are perfect for a light lunch.
Tesco Spicy Meat and Cheese Selection is available online from Tesco, priced at £3 per packet — and you can get any 2 for £5 with your Clubcard.
Skip the bakery queue.
R Whites Premium Lemonade Ice Lollies – 60 calories per lolly
R White’s refreshing lemonade is now available as an ice lolly, and we’re struggling to think of a better way to cool off.
Our Pimms Ice Lolly is another summer favourite that’s perfect for sunny afternoons! Which one are you reaching for first?
R Whites Premium Lemonade Ice Lollies are available Online at Ocado — and you can get them for just £2 when you order by 14/07/2026.
When life gives you Pimms…
M&S Pickled Pink Slaw – 62 calories per serving
No summer BBQ is complete without a big helping of coleslaw! It’s cool, crunchy and the perfect fresh side to go with all your barbecue favourites. This funky pickled pink combo from Ocado is going straight in our basket.
You could stick it in a bowl as a side on its own, or use it as a shortcut for our Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Turkey with Zesty Slaw. Just remember to account for any calorie differences if you’re counting!
M&S Pickled Pink Slaw is available online at Ocado, priced at £2.80 per packet — and you can get any 3 for £8 when you order by 15/08/2026.
Will you serve yours in a roll, wrap, or pitta?
Don’t forget – we love seeing what you’re picking up in your weekly shop! Tag us or post in our Facebook group if you spot anything slimming-friendly and tasty that deserves a shoutout.
And if you’re not already signed up, you can get the Weekly Pinch of Shopping straight to your inbox by signing up to our website.
REMINDER Aldi Super 6 Fruit and Veg Selection
Tasty meals don’t have to cost a fortune! And Aldi is once again proving it with their affordable Super 6 selection. Scroll down to see the latest offers and how you can make the most of them…
Watermelon
Make this summer salad even juicier.
Pink Lady Apples
Not your usual burger.
Red Bell Pepper
This dish tastes even better the next day.
Celery
This underrated vegetable adds a delicious crunch to our Meatball Marinara.
Little Gem Lettuce
Lettuce introduce you to our BLT Pasta Salad.
Spring Onions
Make it a fakeaway Friday.
Remember: We don’t accept payment or gifts to include any of the products above — we just love them, and we hope you will too.