The Weekly Pinch of Shopping: The School Holidays Edition
School’s out for summer! And you know what that means, the kids are waking up and asking, “What’s for dinner?” before you’ve even plated breakfast up.
If you’re already running out of ideas, not to worry, this week’s shopping list is dedicated to nutritious ways for you and the kids to start the day, exciting lunches, healthy snacks to tide them over till dinnertime (also sorted), and even some fun baking ideas to keep them out from under your feet in-between!
And if the nest is empty or it’s always been just you, keep reading because there’s plenty to suit every household!
While you’re mourning your peace and quiet (just kidding!), it’s a fab time to think of other ways you can stay on top of meal planning. Our latest cookbook, Meal Prep is full of time-saving recipes and cooking hacks that take the stress out of cooking, and it’s currently 20% off in Waterstones. Even better, when you order now, you won’t be charged until it drops through your letterbox on the 24th September. Think of it as a present for future you!
Click here or the image below to grab a copy!
Let’s get shopping, shall we?!
Whaoo! Chocolate Filled Crepes 192g – 146 calories per crepe
Let’s start with the first meal of the day, shall we? These chocolate-filled crepes are both mess-free and stress-free — your little tikes can enjoy them straight from the packet or you can pop them in the microwave for a few minutes for even more gooey chocolatey goodness. Stick some fruit on the side for a balanced brekkie!
If you’ve got a spare 10 minutes, our Chocolate Pancakes are super simple to whip up , and they’re made with filling oats that’ll tide everyone over till lunchtime. Flip to pages 30-31 of Pinch of Nom: Comfort Food for the recipe.
Whaoo! Chocolate Filled Crepes are available from Tesco, priced at £1.95 per pack of 6.
Chocolate for breakfast? Yes please!
Quaker Mango & Passionfruit Protein Granola – 182 calories per 45g serving
Next up is this fruity mango and passionfruit granola from Quaker — another protein-packed option that’ll keep tummies full until lunchtime. Just add milk or yoghurt, or snack on a handful straight from the box!
For even more mangoey deliciousness, make your own Mango and Raspberry Ice Cream in just 10 minutes, and it’ll save you a fortune on the ice cream van!
Quaker Mango & Passionfruit Protein Granola is available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £3.75 per box — or just £2.50 with your Nectar Card.
Cones at the ready.
McVitie’s Hobnobs Oaty Flapjacks 131.8g – 127 calories per flapjack
These Hobnobs Oaty Flapjacks work as another easy breakfast option or something to reach for when it’s not quite lunchtime but you’re being hit with “I’m hungryyyy” again!
For an even more healthy, homemade version, our Slow Cooker Coconut and Cranberry Flapjacks are packed with pumpkin seeds, making them a fab source of fibre! You might think switching your slow cooker on in summer is nuts, but it’s actually a smart way of keeping your kitchen cool instead of sticking the oven on! It also means you can forget about your bakes for a couple of hours while you go about your day.
McVitie’s Hobnobs Oaty Flapjacks are available from Tesco, priced at £1.50 per packet — or just £1.25 with your Clubcard.
Slow cookers ARE for summer!
Rubicon Still Blends Orange, Mango & Coconut Juice Drink 1L – 35 calories per 200ml serving
If your kids like cans of Rubicon fizzy pop, then they’ll love this orange, mango and coconut juice, It’s a good way of introducing them to different fruity flavours while keeping things fun, and a fab source of vitamin C.
And if they try this and get a taste for mango, our Chicken and Mango Chutney Traybake can be prepped in just 15 minutes, then it’s over to your air fryer for all the hard work — another summer hack for keeping your kitchen cool! Find the recipe on pages 104-105 of Air Fryer Light & Easy.
Rubicon Still Blends Orange, Mango & Coconut Juice is available from Tesco, priced £2.25 per carton — or just £1.75 with your Clubcard.
Minimum effort, maximum deliciousness.
Mrs Crimbles Gluten Free Gloriously Gooey Strawberry Sponge Cakes 175g – 156 calories per cake
Not only are these deliciously spongy strawberry treats from Mrs Crimbles gluten-free, they also come individually wrapped, making them easy to pack up for picnics or lunches on the go.
Alternatively, if you’re short on ideas for keeping the little knees entertained, what about a baking afternoon? Our Mini Strawberry Sponges are an easy peasy recipe for beginners, and they take less than half an hour to make.
Mrs Crimbles Gluten Free Gloriously Gooey Strawberry Sponge Cakes are available from Tesco, priced at £2.95 per packet.
Berry tasty.
Heinz Curry Chickpeas Microwave Pouch – 238 calories per pouch
A microwaveable lunch that’s ready in a minute and a half?! If that hasn’t already got you racing to put these Heinz Curry Chickpeas in your basket, they’re also made from all-natural ingredients and they’re an amazing source of protein so they’ll actually fill everyone up.
And if you love these, then you’ll love our Coronation Chickpeas. Another protein-packed lunch (or even light dinner) dish, they’re a tasty vegetarian twist on classic coronation chicken.
Heinz Curry Chickpeas Microwave Pouch is available from Morrisons, and you can get one for just £2 when you order by 21/07/2026.
Swap meat for chickpeas.
Heinz Chilli Black Beans Microwave Pouch – 180 calories per pouch
Also from Heinz’s handy microwaveable pouch range, these Chilli Black Beans are another speedy way to spice up your mealtimes, and just one pouch packs nearly 10 grams of protein!
If your family’s a fan of this, our take on Chilli con Carne is well worth a try. We served it up with rice for the shoot, but you can inject some sunshine into the recipe by stuffing it wholemeal pittas with some salad.
Heinz Chilli Black Means Microwave Pouch is available from Morrisons, and you can get one for just £2 when you order by 21/07/2026.
This classic never gets old.
Mission Chargrilled Tortilla Wraps – 191 calories per wrap
Speaking of wraps, these super soft chargrilled tortillas from Mission are made using a real Mexican recipe, and they come six in a pack so you should have enough to feed everyone!
Along with the Chilli con Carne we mentioned above, our Lemonade Chicken Skewers also work beautifully in wrap form.
Mission Chargrilled Tortilla Wraps are available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £1.80 per packet.
When life gives you lemons…
Morrisons The Best Raspberry Lemonade Flavour Yogurt 150g – 200 calories per yoghurt
While the weather’s like this, the more refreshing the snack, the better! This raspberry lemonade-flavour yoghurt is definitely ticking more than a few boxes on our summer goodies list.
If you or the kids are after another citrus-infused treat, our Lemon and Blueberry Waffles work for breakfast, lunch, brunch, or whenever you fancy!
Morrisons The Best Raspberry Lemonade Flavour Yoghurt is available from Morrisons, priced at £0.85 per pot.
Get a load of this flavour combo.
Quorn Lemon & Pepper Schnitzels 220g – 228 calories per schnitzel
Whether you’re raising mini vegetarians or just feel like expanding your horizons, these Quorn Lemon & Pepper Schnitzels are not only high in protein, they’re also a strong source of fibre.
They’re also ready in your air fryer in no time at all!
Or if you want to have a bit more fun with lunch or dinner, our Hash Brown Pizza is a little bit different to your usual pizza, and the kids can get involved adding their own toppings!
Quorn Lemon & Pepper Schnitzels are available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £2.85 per packet — or just £2 with your Nectar Card.
Skip the traditional dough.
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.
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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…
Garlic
One-pan pasta recipe this way!
Mixed Peppers
Fancy a fakeaway?
Blueberries
Tart up your next dinner party!
Cherries
Here’s a meat-free meal for your repertoire.
British Baby Potatoes
It’s never too hot for roasties, especially when they’re this good.
British Mini Apples
Here’s a salad if you don’t fancy switching the oven on.
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.