Your Slimming Essentials – The Weekly Pinch Of Shopping 08.01
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Our Weekly Pinch of Shopping list aims to show you slimming friendly products that are available in a wide range of stores so that you can pick them up during your weekly shop. To make things even more convenient, we’ve also listed any relevant nutritional info and the RRP.
This week we’re bringing you some delicious vegan and vegetarian options that you can enjoy whether you’re attempting Veganuary or just looking to reduce your meat consumption!
We’ve got freezer staples in the form of Linda McCartney’s Vegan & Vegetarian Red Onion & Rosemary Sausages and a handy microwaveable pouch of Morrisons Shredded Jackfruit in Sweet & Smoky BBQ Sauce.
We’re showcasing some convenient slimming essentials like Morrisons Chopped Casserole Vegetables and Baxters Favourites Cock-a-Leekie Soup for those days where you just don’t have the time or motivation to start from scratch.
We’ve got your sweet tooth covered with Tesco Chocolate Orange Rice Cakes and Alpro Passionate Mango Swirl Ice Cream for pud too.
Please remember that all prices are correct at the time of us writing this article and so they should be used as a guide only.
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**A note on our shopping list: 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!**
Morrisons Casserole Vegetables – 75 calories per ¼ pack
Sometimes, at the end of a busy day, the last thing you want to do is spend ages chopping up loads of veg for dinner.
This pack of Morrisons Casserole Vegetables is ideal if you’re low on time or having a really busy week.
A mix of onion, carrot, leek, swede and potato, a ¼ pack serving counts as one of your 5 a day and is ready to cook straight from the bag.
Suitable for vegetarians, these Morrisons Casserole Vegetables are perfect for a really wide range of recipes.
We love using these veggies in our Campfire Stew or our Lamb Scouse to help make them even more filling and boost the amount of veg we’re eating!
You can find this pack of Morrisons Casserole Vegetables in Morrisons for £1.60 a bag.
Linda McCartney’s 6 Vegan & Vegetarian Red Onion & Rosemary Sausages – 103 calories per 2 sausages
Although these Linda McCartney’s 6 Vegan & Vegetarian Red Onion & Rosemary Sausages aren’t a new product, they’re so tasty they deserve a spot on our list of slimming essentials this week!
Packed full of herby flavour, these vegan sausages have a surprisingly “meaty” texture, making them great for Toad in the Hole or Sausage Rolls. They’re indulgent while still being low in saturated fat and high in protein, proving you don’t need the pork for a banging banger!
As an added bonus, you keep these sausages in the freezer so you can have a box or two ready to pop in the oven for a quick and simple dinner that everyone can enjoy. Psst… try reshaping them before cooking for a cheat’s version of classic stuffing!
Pick up a box of these Linda McCartney’s 6 Vegan & Vegetarian Red Onion & Rosemary Sausages from most supermarkets for around £2.20 (on offer at Asda for £1.25!).
Tesco Chocolate Orange Rice Cakes – 97 calories per rice cake
Just because Christmas is done and dusted for another year doesn’t mean we’re ready to give up the flavour of chocolate orange! These Tesco Chocolate Orange Rice Cakes give you a burst of fresh orange and chocolate flavour but at only 97 calories each!
These rice cakes have a satisfying crunch and a decent amount of chocolate coating and tangy orange sprinkles, and can be enjoyed on their own alongside a cuppa. You could try them crushed and sprinkled over a pot of low fat natural yoghurt for a mid-morning pick-me-up instead of reaching for higher calorie snacks.
If you’re a fan of chocolate orange flavours, make sure you try our Chocolate Orange Baked Oats for a sweet, spongy and indulgent breakfast to start the day on the right track!
A pack of 6 Tesco Chocolate Orange Rice Cakes is priced at £1.25.
Covent Garden Carrot and Coriander Soup – 123 calories per ½ pack
We love a steaming bowl of soup to warm us up at lunchtime and this Covent Garden Carrot and Coriander Soup is packed full of delicious flavour.
Each ½ pack portion counts as one of your 5 a day and it’s not only low in fat, but a source of fibre too.
Suitable for vegetarians, it only takes 5 minutes to heat up which means it’s the perfect quick lunch or comforting dinner.
Serve with a chunk of our freshly baked Fougasse Bread, or why not try it alongside our Caramelised Onion Cheese Toasties for a tasty twist?
You can pick up this Covent Garden Carrot and Coriander Soup in most supermarkets for around £2.
Nairn’s Coconut & Chia Oat Biscuits – 45 calories per biscuit
At just 45 calories per biscuit, Nairn’s Coconut & Chia oat biscuits are the perfect little treat, full of coconutty goodness. Packed in handy pouch packs, they are easy to pop in your bag or leave in the car for a quick snack on the go.
Made with wholesome ingredients, these oat biscuits are vegan, wheat free and contain 55% less sugar than the average sweet biscuit. With this one simple swap, you can save nearly 40 calories per biscuit compared to a typical digestive biscuit!
They’re also free from artificial colours and flavourings and high in fibre to keep you feeling fuller for longer. If you’re feeling inspired to use oats in your baking, try our Apple Pie Cookies!
You can pick up a box of Nairn’s Coconut & Chia Oat Biscuits from Sainsbury’s and Waitrose for £1.40
Shloer Apple Juice with White Grape Drink – 26 calories per 100ml
Taking part in Dry January? This Shloer Apple Juice with White Grape Drink is the perfect option for when you fancy a glass of fizz, but not the alcohol.
Non-alcoholic, made with real fruit juice and gluten free, it’s also suitable for vegetarians and vegans and is free from artificial colours and preservatives too.
Super fresh and zingy, we love enjoying a glass of this Shloer Apple Juice with White Grape Drink with lunch, or in front of a good movie in the evening.
It’s also a really good option to help the kids feel all grown up when you’re enjoying an alcoholic drink too!
If you’re looking for something with a bit more of an alcoholic kick, then our Elderflower Gin Fizz is a really light, delicious cocktail.
You can find this Shloer Apple Juice with White Grape Drink in Tesco or Ocado for £2.20 a bottle.
Alpro Passionate Mango Swirl Ice Cream – 360 calories per tub
Ice cream has to be one of our absolute favourite desserts, but as it’s often full of calories it’s not exactly an option on a slimming friendly diet.
This Alpro Passionate Mango Swirl Ice Cream, however, has just 360 calories per tub – yes, that’s 360 calories for the entire tub! If you don’t fancy eating the whole tub in one go, each serving is 153 calories.
Suitable for vegans, this 100% plant-based soya ice cream is swirled with mango and passion fruit sauce and is free from sweeteners, dairy and gluten too.
It’s the perfect slimming friendly option for when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want all of the extra calories.
We love a scoop served alongside one of our Apple Strudels or even with a couple of our Double Choc Chip Cookies.
This Alpro Passionate Mango Swirl Ice Cream is available in Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Ocado for £5 per tub.
Baxters Favourites Cock-A-Leekie Soup – 37 calories per serving
A classic Scottish favourite, this Baxters Favourites Cock-A-Leekie Soup is a super convenient lunch that’s full of fresh veggies and savoury herbs.
This tasty soup is packed with leeks, carrots and tender pieces of chicken for a taste of Scotland in a can!
Gluten free and low in fat, you can heat in the microwave or on the hob in a matter of minutes for a speedy lunch when you don’t have time to simmer your own homemade Minestrone Soup.
Baxters Favourites Cock-A-Leekie Soup is available at most supermarkets for £1.20 a tin.
Morrisons Shredded Jackfruit in Sweet & Smoky BBQ Sauce – 142 cals per pouch
Don’t worry if your first thoughts are: “what is jackfruit and why is fruit in a BBQ sauce?!”. Jackfruit has been growing rapidly in popularity over recent years, and it’s easy to see why. This Morrisons Shredded Jackfruit in Sweet & Smoky BBQ Sauce showcases the best features of this fancy fruit and makes it even easier to enjoy.
With a distinct texture, jackfruit is often used in place of pulled meat like pork, and makes a delicious alternative if you’re looking to cut down on your meat consumption.
This ready to eat pouch contains only 142 calories and is ready in only – wait for it – one and a half minutes! Yes, it’s that fast! Serve over a simple jacket potato for a speedy lunch, or liven up a Halloumi Cous Cous Burger with a dollop on top.
This Morrisons Shredded Jackfruit in Sweet & Smoky BBQ Sauce is available for £1.75 for a 150g pouch.
Old El Paso 8 Tortilla Pockets Wraps – 94 calories each
We can’t be the only ones that have stuffed a wrap or enchilada, only to find that it’s really messy to eat and the filling falls out of the bottom. These Old El Paso 8 Tortilla Pockets Wraps solve that problem!
With the same melt-in-the-mouth fluffy wrap texture but sealed at one end, these make messy mealtimes a thing of the past. Stuff with Chicken Fajitas or Chicken Shawarma or mix it up and add scrambled egg and lean bacon and veggies for a breakfast on the go without the faff of folding.
Suitable for vegans and free from preservatives, we think these tortilla pockets are an ingenious idea and ideal for any meal of the day!
You can find these Old El Paso 8 Tortilla Pockets Wraps at Sainsbury’s and Morrisons for £2.50 per pack of 8.
REMINDER Aldi Super 6 Fruit and Veg Selection
We love Aldi’s selection of fresh fruit and veggies, and each fortnight they choose six of them for a special offer where you can pick them up for much less than the normal price.
Here’s our roundup of this week’s selection, alongside some meal inspiration to give you some ideas on how to make the most of the Super 6!
Celery – 16 calories per 100g
Celery is a great base to so many dishes as it adds a real depth of flavour. Even if you don’t like celery stalks on their own, chances are you’ll enjoy it cooked as the flavour is less intense! Try chopped up small in a Spaghetti Bolognese.
Spring Onions – 32 calories per 100g
Perfect as a garnish for dishes from scrambled eggs to Chicken Chow Mein, spring onions are so handy to keep in the fridge. Add to tuna with low fat mayo and serve on jacket potatoes for an extra burst of flavour for lunch!
Mini Apples – 52 calories per 100g
These mini apples are the ideal size for small hands, and can be popped in lunchboxes or in the fruit bowl for easy snacking. For an interesting use of apple that isn’t a dessert, try our Spiralized Apple and Beetroot Salad!
Grapefruit 43 – calories per 100g
Full of nutrients and vitamins, it’s hard to beat a slice of fresh, juicy grapefruit! Even though the festive season is a distant memory, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy a bright Festive Fruit Salad for any occasion!
Baby Potatoes 75 – calories per 100g
Simply boiled until soft or roasted with low calorie cooking spray and herbs, baby roast potatoes are a great side dish alongside meat, fish or veggie mains. Try alongside Chilli and Lime Baked Salad and Garlic Green Beans for a slimming friendly dinner.
Loose Red Pepper 31 – calories per 100g
For a quick and easy way of adding a touch of sweetness and extra goodness, you can add a loose red pepper to so many dishes. Red pepper works well finely sliced in Salt and Pepper Chicken Nuggets, or added to a Campfire Stew!
**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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