Your Slimming Essentials – The Weekly Pinch of Shopping 08.03.24
We’ve got that FRIDAY feeling, which can mean only one thing…a brand-new Weekly Pinch of Shopping is here!
Before we dive into all the new bits and bobs we’ve found, did you spot our big news? We made a HUGE announcement last week…PINCH OF NOM: AIR FRYER is on the way!! It’s probably our most requested book ever, and we’ve honestly been blown away by the response so far. We’re over the moon that you’re as excited about it as we are – we just wish June 20th would hurry up so you can start trying the 75 scrummy recipes we’ve stuffed inside the pages!
You can preorder Air Fryer right now, or find out more about the book on our website here.
On the shopping list this week, you’ll find a selection of slimming-friendly snacks for all occasions, along with a couple of quick and easy lunch ideas.
We’re excited to try Bisto’s new gravy granules that have been specially developed for sausages! That sounds like the perfect excuse to rustle up bangers and mash for tea tonight…
Plus, new flavours of hot cross buns are popping up all over the place this year, but it’s Aldi’s Village Bakery Nutoka Hot Cross Buns that have really caught our eye. Each hazelnut flavoured, fluffy bun is spotted with chocolate chips that’ll get all melty when it’s toasted. How dreamy does that sound?!
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. This week we’ve given you a reminder of the current selection, so hurry down to Aldi to pick up some bargains before a fresh selection goes on offer next week!
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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!**
Sainsbury’s Tomato & Basil Pesto Soup – 67 calories per 1/2 can
If you’re anything like us, just the thought of pesto is enough to set your mouth watering! The herby, garlicky paste instantly ramps up the flavour of any recipe it’s added to, which is why we’ve added this Sainsbury’s Tomato and Basil Pesto Soup to our shopping list this week.
A bowl of comforting, warm soup is a firm favourite for a midweek lunch, especially when it’s as light as 67 calories per serving. Pop it in the microwave for a few minutes, or heat in a pan on the hob, then serve with a bread roll on the side to help fill you up.
For a dinnertime spin on these flavours, our Creamy Pesto Chicken is just the thing. Ready in only 45 minutes, the juicy chicken, green beans and sundried tomatoes complement the vibrant, fresh taste of green pesto perfectly.
Sainsbury’s Tomato & Basil Pesto Soup is available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £1.60 per can.
Bisto For Sausages Gravy Granules – 21 calories per 50ml serving
The nation’s favourite gravy brand has added a new tub of granules to the supermarket shelves this week! These Bisto For Sausages Gravy Granules make a richer, thicker gravy with a slightly sweeter, yet savoury flavour that’s been made specifically to complement sausage recipes.
Ready in an instant, you’ll want to pour it all over bangers and mash, or our slimming-friendly Toad in the Hole.
The kind of dinner that brings us joy no matter the weather, it’s tasty, affordable and beautifully simple to make. We like to make ours with low-fat sausages to keep the calories down, but it’ll work with any of your favourite bangers!
Bisto For Sausages Gravy Granules are available from Asda, priced at £2.00.
Coca Cola Zero Sugar Lemon – 1 calorie per 100ml
Who remembers lemon Coca Cola? It was discontinued back in 2006, but now it’s back on the shelves at Waitrose, along with this Coca Cola Zero Sugar Lemon. Bursting with citrusy freshness, it’s ideal for sipping in the spring sunshine!
Available in cans, as well as a 2 litre bottle, pop it in the fridge as soon as you get home from the food shop, and chill until it’s icy cold and refreshing.
If it’s something lovely and lemony you’re after, you need to give our Homemade Lemonade recipe a go. Tangy, sweet and far less sugary than shop-bought versions, each zesty glassful works out at just 35 calories.
Coca Cola Zero Sugar Lemon is available from Waitrose, priced at £3.75 for a pack of 8 x 330ml cans (but hurry – the price will rise to £4.95 after the introductory offer ends!).
Jacob’s Mini Cheddars Cheddar & Roasted Tomato Flavour Baked Snacks – 122 calories per pack
We can’t say no to a cheesy baked snack, so it’s no surprise we’ve added these Jacob’s Mini Cheddars Cheddar and Roasted Tomato Flavour Baked Snacks to the shopping list this week.
Bringing a fresh flavour boost to the classic crunchy crackers, the new special flavour comes with the tang of roasted tomatoes, all for just 122 calories per pack. If you’re eagle-eyed, you might spot the other new flavour on the shelves too – Smoked Cheddar Mini Cheddars are also available.
Made with flaky puff pastry, our Pizza Swirls are a double whammy of cheesy goodness, thanks to the combination of reduced-fat Cheddar and Parmesan cheese. They’re delicious as a light bite, or served with a salad for lunch!
Jacob’s Mini Cheddars Cheddar & Roasted Tomato Flavour Baked Snacks are available from Tesco, priced at £1.75 for a pack of 6.
Quorn Vegetarian BBQ Chicken – 105 calories per 1/4 pack
Next time you need a veggie-friendly sandwich filling or jacket potato topping in a flash, you’ll be happy to find a tub of this Quorn Vegetarian BBQ Chicken in your fridge. The chunks of meat-free chicken are mixed with mayonnaise, mild cheddar cheese and BBQ seasonings, to add instant flavour to your lunch.
At just 105 calories per serving, you can easily spoon it straight into wraps, pittas or sandwich thins for a slimming-friendly lunch with bags of flavour.
Forget about nipping to the bakery for your favourite veggie bake on your lunch break – these Marmite Mushroom Bakes are a game changer. You only need a handful of simple ingredients and 25 minutes to rustle them up, and they’re just 147 calories each.
Quorn Vegetarian BBQ Chicken is available from Morrisons, priced at £1.85.
Morrisons Mini Churros Bites – 46 calories per mini bite
Golden, crunchy and coated in cinnamon sugar, these Morrisons Mini Churros Bites would be a welcome sight on any buffet table. Filled with melted hazelnut chocolate, they’re a decadent bite-size treat to keep your sweet tooth happy!
They can go straight from the freezer, into the oven, and they’ll crisp up in less than 15 minutes. At 46 calories per bite, you could always plate up a couple with a scoop of ice cream (or some low-calorie aerosol cream) for a quick, easy, slimming-friendly dessert.
Did you know our homemade Churros work out at just 23 calories each? They can take a little bit of practice to get them just right…but they’ll taste delicious even if you don’t get them perfect first time round!
Morrisons Mini Churros Bites are available from Morrisons, priced at £2.49.
Morrisons Sour Cream & Onion Sachet Chips – 148 calories per 90g serving
Switch things up for your next fakeaway night with these Morrisons Sour Cream and Onion Sachet Chips. Instead of a side of plain potatoes, these frozen oven chips come with a sachet of seasoning that’s added after they’ve been baked or air-fried.
The tang of sour cream and onion should work well with lots of different fast food-style dishes, especially burgers. How about pairing them with one of our most popular fakeaway recipes?
This KFC Zinger Burger really does taste just as good as the real thing! Instead of a secret blend of herbs and spices, all you need is a bag of Chilli Heatwave Doritos to make the crunchy coating for the chicken.
Morrisons Sour Cream & Onion Sachet Chips are available from Morrisons, priced at £2.50 for a 750g bag.
Surreal High Protein Low Sugar Cocoa Cereal – 154 calories per 35g serving
When it comes to healthy breakfast options, lots of cereals can be sugary and high in calories. This new offering from Surreal promises it’s got the lot: plenty of fibre and protein, whilst being low in carbs, with zero sugar.
You’ll spot a few flavours on the shelves at Sainsbury’s, but this Surreal High Protein Low Sugar Cocoa Cereal will take you back to your childhood. It’s a bit on the pricey side, but if you like to start your day with a crunchy bowl of cocoa hoops, it’s just 154 calories per serving (and you’ll get 13g of protein).
You don’t need a special occasion to enjoy chocolate for breakfast, especially when our Chocolate Waffles are just 318 calories per portion. Crispy on the outside and soft in the middle, they’re even better topped with a spoonful of creamy Greek yoghurt and a handful of fresh berries.
Surreal High Protein Low Sugar Cocoa Cereal is available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £4.95.
Fruit Shoots Mini’s Apple & Blackcurrant Lolly – 22 calories per lolly
Whether you like a little sweet treat after dinner, or while you’re watching the telly, these Fruit Shoots Mini’s Apple & Blackcurrant Lollies will help you curb your cravings for just 22 calories.
Just like the drinks, they’re made with real fruit, for a refreshing burst of juicy sweetness. The whole family will be fighting over the last one!
Blended kiwi fruit goes into our eye-catching Strawberry and Kiwi Ice Lollies, so they’re fresher and fruitier tasting than most shop-bought frozen treats. You only need to add some strawberry squash and sweetener, and a little bit of xanthan gum to give your homemade lollies a lovely syrupy texture.
Fruit Shoots Mini’s Apple & Blackcurrant Lolly is available from Morrisons, priced at £2.50 for a pack of 6.
Village Bakery Nutoka Hot Cross Buns – 202 calories per hot cross bun
If hot cross buns aren’t already delicious enough, Aldi is taking things up a notch with these Village Bakery Nutoka Hot Cross Buns. For anyone that isn’t familiar, Nutoka is Aldi’s own version of Nutella – an irresistible chocolate hazelnut spread.
These soft, fluffy buns have a nutty flavour, and they’re dotted with chocolate chips that get all melty when you heat them up. Despite all that, they’re only 202 calories each. Imagine toasting them and adding a scrape of Nutoka spread (a 15g serving would add 83 calories).
We’ve made a little bit of Nutella go a long way with our Nutella Mousse recipe. Combined with reduced-fat cream alternative and fat-free Greek-style yoghurt, every velvety mouthful is nutty and decadent.
You’ll need to turn to page 258 of Pinch of Nom: Enjoy to try this recipe! You can grab a copy here, if you don’t already have one.
Village Bakery Nutoka Hot Cross Buns are available from Aldi, priced at £1.25 for a pack of 4.
REMINDER 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 our reminder of this week’s Super 6 selection:
- Spring onions – 32 calories per 100g
- Mangetout – 33 calories per 100g
- Romaine lettuce – 17 calories per 100g
- Kiwis – 61 calories per 100g
- Royal Gala Apples – 52 calories per 100g
- Oranges – 47 calories per 100g
**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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