Your Slimming Essentials – The Weekly Pinch of Shopping 08.04
We’re back to kickstart your Friday with a brand new Weekly Pinch of Shopping! Who’s ready for a roundup of all the best new bits and bobs that we’ve spotted on the supermarket shelves this week?
We’re talking slimming-friendly snacks and some handy freezer foods for busy days – you can’t go wrong with the new veggie-packed frozen side dish from Birds Eye we’ve found!
We’ve even peeped a refreshing, light tipple for anyone who fancies something fruity and fizzy; and it’s just 95 calories per can!
Don’t forget to let us know if you’ve tried any of the recipes from Pinch of Nom Comfort Food! We’d LOVE to know which dishes are your favourites! If you haven’t picked up a copy yet, you can order yours right here.
You can share your recipes and photos by posting over in our Facebook group, where you’ll also find our members having a good old chat about lots of these shopping items too. You can join the group by clicking here. 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!
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.
Speaking of doing your weekly shopping, did you know we’ve got a brand new food planner coming soon? The Pinch of Nom Family Meal Planner is our most family-friendly food planner yet – it’s ideal for planning your meals and organising what you need to buy (plus there are 26 exclusive new recipes inside!). You can pre-order a copy here.
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.
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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!**
Morrisons Lighter Bites Japanese Chicken Curry – 347 calories per pack
When you’re pushed for time and trying to stay on track, it can be tricky to find a quick meal that’s slimming friendly AND big on flavour. This Morrisons Lighter Bites Japanese Chicken Curry ticks both boxes – it’s 347 calories of deliciously tangy, spicy, aromatic flavours.
You’ll find it in the freezer section, so it’s ideal if you’re looking for handy, quick meals to stock up on. You get tender chicken pieces, crunchy veggies and fluffy rice, layered up with a mild, creamy Katsu curry sauce. Best of all, it cooks from frozen in as little as 6 minutes!
If you’ve got a little more time on your hands, you could always have a go at making your own curry from scratch. This Katsu Chicken Curry recipe is a firm favourite of ours – it’s full of veggie goodness and the flavour is so satisfying.
Morrisons Lighter Bites Japanese Chicken Curry is available from Morrisons, priced at £1.35.
Birds Eye Veggie Power Hearty Broccoli & Buckwheat – 179 calories per 1/2 pack
Fancy filling your freezer with even more healthy options? You can’t go wrong with adding in a pack of this Birds Eye Veggie Power Hearty Broccoli and Buckwheat. It’s a vitamin-packed combo of broccoli, buckwheat, spinach, black beans, red pepper and black rice that you can pan fry from frozen in minutes.
This speedy side dish is so versatile, and it helps you on your way to your 5-a-day too! Pair it with lean protein such as chicken or fish to create a lovely, balanced meal that’ll leave you feeling full and ready to take on the rest of your day.
Our Tomato and Basil Chicken is perfect for serving alongside this Broccoli and Buckwheat. It’s beautifully simple and on the table in under half an hour – just what you want for a tasty midweek meal.
Birds Eye Veggie Power Hearty Broccoli & Buckwheat is available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £2.30.
Penn State Roasted Chilli Sharing Pretzels – 127 calories per serving
Who likes the sound of wholesome crispy wheat and potato pretzel knots? If you’re looking to spice up your snacking, these Penn State Roasted Chilli Sharing Pretzels are just the ticket!
You might have tried these crispy baked treats in their original sea salt or sour cream version, but we’re super excited about this fiery new flavour! Crunchy and seriously savoury, you can enjoy a 30g serving for just 127 calories – no need to reach for a packet of crisps!
If you can’t resist crunchy treats, turn your favourite snack into a meal by serving up these Cheeseburger Nachos this weekend. Topped with all the best bits of a burger (and plenty of cheese!) they’re sure to be a hit with the whole family.
Penn State Roasted Chilli Sharing Pretzels are available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £1.25.
Rootles White Chocolate Crispy Beetroot Biscuits – 121 calories per serving
They might sound a bit unusual, but these biscuits are made with 35% root vegetables! Rootles White Chocolate Crispy Beetroot Biscuits are crunchy bites, covered in silky white chocolate. A healthier choice to enjoy with your cuppa, these have the perfect crunch and just the right amount of sweetness to keep your cravings at bay. Pop one in your bag for on-the-go snacking, or stock the cupboard at home for your mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
Prefer a biscuit with a fruity twist? We like to make sure we’ve got a batch of these Apple Pie Cookies on hand for when we fancy something sweet. They’ll keep well in an airtight container for around 4 days – if you can resist them that long!
Rootles White Chocolate Crispy Beetroot Biscuits are available from Asda, priced at £1.20.
Tangy Jerk Style Pork Loin Steaks – 173 calories per steak
It might not be barbecue weather just yet, but these Tangy Jerk Style Pork Loin Steaks are just as tasty when they’re sizzled under the grill. They’re more slimming friendly than you might expect, coming in at only 173 calories per steak.
The tender meat is marinated in a spicy rub inspired by jerk flavours. It’s on the spicier side, so these are perfect if you like your meals a little bit fiery! Serve with a cooling side dish such as a crisp, fresh salad or a crunchy homemade coleslaw.
Traditional coleslaws can be made with lots of mayonnaise, which really ramps up the calorie count. Our Buffalo Coleslaw is a refreshing change, made with tangy blue cheese, fat free Greek yoghurt and a splash of hot sauce to bring all the flavours together!
Tangy Jerk Style Pork Loin Steaks are available from Asda, priced at £4.25 for a pack of 6.
Tango Sub-Zero Tang Cherry Flavoured Iced Lollies – 56 calories per lolly
Ice lollies just got Tangoed! This frozen version of the fruity fizzy drink is our new favourite way to indulge our sweet tooth. We spotted these Tango Sub-Zero Tang Cherry Flavoured Iced Lollies in Iceland this week, and they come in an orange flavour too.
Pop some in your freezer for sunnier days, or for anytime you fancy something sweet and refreshing. At 56 calories per lolly, they’re far more slimming friendly than reaching for chocolate, biscuits or cake.
If you’ve got a soft spot for cherry flavours, you might want to give these Bakewell Baked Oats a try for breakfast this week. With a dollop of syrupy cherry jam in the middle, they’re deliciously comforting and the perfect start to your morning.
Tango Sub-Zero Tang Cherry Flavoured Iced Lollies are available from Iceland, priced at £2.00 for a pack of 4.
YO! Popcorn Cauliflower – 213 calories per serving
Bring the restaurant experience into your own kitchen with this YO! Popcorn Cauliflower that we found in Iceland this week. A yummy snack or side dish, these are crispy bites of cauli in a seriously spicy, Korean style sticky sauce.
So easy to put together, the cauliflower cooks from frozen in around 20 minutes. While it’s roasting, the sachet of sauce can be heated in some hot water. Coat the crispy cauliflower and get stuck in!
For an even lighter snack, our Air Fryer Cauliflower Hot Wings deliver the same crunchy texture with a moreish chilli kick. This recipe is super easy to make vegan-friendly; simply switch out the honey for some maple syrup.
YO! Popcorn Cauliflower is available from Iceland, priced at £2.50.
Source of the Earth Coconut Curry Flavour Lentil Crisps – 96 calories
If you’re looking for a snack that’s good for you and good for the planet, look no further! These Source of the Earth Coconut Curry Flavour Lentil Crisps are light and crunchy, and they come in a plastic-free, compostable packet.
The delicately spiced, aromatic curry flavour is a welcome change to traditional crisp flavours, but if it’s not your bag, these come in a smoked paprika and chilli version too. For just 96 calories, they’ll add some crunch into your lunchtime!
If the thought of coconut curry has set your taste buds tingling, we’ve got you covered. Our Vegetable Coconut Curry tastes so indulgent, but there’s just 121 calories in each serving. Mild and fragrant, this one is such a crowd-pleaser. Just add some fluffy boiled rice on the side for a delicious, low-calorie Fakeaway night.
Source of the Earth Coconut Curry Flavour Lentil Crisps are available from Asda, priced at 95p per bag.
Strongbow Ultra Dark Fruit Cider – 95 calories per cider
With 30% fewer calories than the original version, this Strongbow Ultra Dark Fruit Cider is a slimming-friendly must-have if you like a fizzy tipple! Promising all the same flavour, these slimline cans are just 95 calories each.
Pairing natural berry flavours with sparkling apple cider, this is a light beverage that’s perfect for spring. Crack open a can and make yourself something tasty for dinner. Burger night anyone?
If cider isn’t your tipple of choice, how about an Elderflower Gin Fizz? It ticks all the boxes; light, sparkly, slightly fruity – and it’s just 84 calories. Winner! Best of all, you can make it in a big pitcher and share it around.
Strongbow Ultra Dark Fruit Cider is available from Morrisons, priced at £4.50 for a pack of 4.
Cheesy Chicken Fries – 273 calories per 100g
We’ve got 3 words for you; Cheesy Chicken Fries. Yes, you read that right! These tender slivers of chicken are coated in cheesy breadcrumbs that get oh-so-crispy in the oven (or air fryer).
Perfect for parties or buffets, they’re made for dipping and dunking in your favourite sauces! We reckon you could even serve these up instead of chicken nuggets, alongside some Sweet Potato Fries and beans.
If you’re not sure about the cheesy coating, why not keep it classic and make your own Chicken Goujons? They’re a more grown-up version of nuggets that the whole family will love.
Cheesy Chicken Fries are available from Iceland, priced at £2.00 for a 360g bag.
NEW Aldi Super 6 Fruit and Veg Selection
We love Aldi’s Super 6 selection of fresh fruit and veggies! Each fortnight they choose six different items for a special offer where you can pick them up for much less than the normal price.
Here’s our rundown of this week’s NEW Super 6 selection:
Royal Gala Apples – 52 calories per 100g
An apple a day helps you on your way to your 5-a-day! Crunchy and sweet, biting into a crisp apple can stop you rooting around in the snack cupboard in the middle of the day.
Munch on one as part of your lunch, or slice an apple and serve it with your breakfast. Such a versatile fruit, you can cook it into desserts or even use it in your dinner recipes.
Try this Chicken Waldorf Salad for a lovely light meal this week. With apples and grapes mixed into the veggies, you get a perfect balance of sweet and savoury.
Red Potatoes – 71 calories per 100g
Less starchy and a bit sweeter than white potatoes, red potatoes are a great source of antioxidants, vitamin C and potassium. They hold their shape well and you don’t need to worry about peeling them.
Perfect for boiling, roasting or frying, it’s well worth picking up a bag of these useful little spuds.
Get your oven nice and hot and try using them to make these Roasted Potatoes with Smoked Bacon. They’ll be perfect on your Sunday roast!
Tenderstem Broccoli – 40 calories per 100g
With a more delicate flavour than regular broccoli, it’s easy to see why tenderstem broccoli is so popular and so versatile. It’s got a lovely, slightly nutty taste and a perfect crunch.
You can cook and eat the whole stalk, meaning far less food waste. From stir-fries to roast dinners, almost any meal can be made a bit greener with a serving of this yummy veggie on the side.
We think it pairs perfectly with salmon, so we’ll be adding a few stems onto the side of this Chilli and Lime Baked Salmon this week!
Leeks – 61 calories per 100g
We love the subtle flavour of leeks. Similar to, but more delicate than onions, they work perfectly as a base flavour in soups, stews and casseroles.
Good for your digestion and full of healthy nutrients, adding more leeks into your diet is a great way to boost flavour and get more goodness into your food.
Dish up something lovely and comforting for dinner tonight – this Homity pie brings together simple, cheap ingredients (including leeks!) and turns them into a hearty meal.
Closed Cup Mushrooms – 22 calories per 100g
In season all year round, mushrooms are a budget-friendly way to bulk out your meals while keeping dishes super slimming friendly.
Closed cup mushrooms are a bigger version of baby button white mushrooms, with the same texture and mild taste.
Why not chop up a handful and throw them into this Ham and Mushroom Pizza Calzone? It’s the kind of dish that makes you look forward to lunchtime!
Brown Onions – 40 calories per 100g
Every good recipe starts with chopping up an onion or two. They might make you cry, but it’s worth every tear for the flavour they add into your food.
The oniony taste doesn’t have to be overwhelming though, and brown onions tend to be milder than the white versions.
Chop them into sauces or let them be the star of the show – we love them in this cheap and cheerful Bacon, Onion and Potato Bake. There’s nothing easier and more delicious for a midweek meal.
**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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