Your Slimming Essentials – The Weekly Pinch of Shopping 13.01
Happy Friday! The Weekly Pinch of Shopping has arrived to brighten up the wet, windy weather with a brand-new selection of slimming-friendly goodies.
Aldi is on a roll at the moment, and we had to include its brand-new protein bars. At 223 calories each, they’re worth keeping handy while you’re on the go (especially with peanut butter flavour up for grabs!).
We know some of you are still focusing on smashing Veganuary goals, so we’ve added a few plant-based picks to the list – including a vegan-friendly ready meal from The Gym Kitchen.
Plus, it’d be rude not to have a couple of sweet treats on the list. You won’t be able to resist taking Galaxy’s new Chocolate Orange Digestives for a dunk in your cuppa…
Our Family Meal Planner has everything you need to smash your slimming goals throughout January. It’s our most family-friendly food planner yet – organise meals and jot down what you need to buy with our game-changing freezer tracker! You can order your copy here.
And don’t forget our NEW cookbook, Pinch of Nom: Enjoy, is out NOW! Enjoy is all about turning mealtimes into memories, and it’s brimming with 100 brand-new recipes that you’ll be excited to make, share and eat with family and friends, time and time again.
From fakeaway favourites to midweek wonders, every dish comes big on flavour without taking you off track. Put the food you love back on the menu by ordering your copy 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.
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!**
Picard Portionnable Tomato Sauce – 61 calories per 100ml
If it’s not convenient and delicious, we don’t want it – especially in January! When you’re hoping to rustle up a warming dish without a fuss, Picard’s freezer-friendly Portionnable Tomato Sauce is handy to have on standby.
Each bag comes filled with frozen tomatoey, basil-seasoned blocks that you can easily divvy out to accompany pasta, potatoes, meat or fish. It’s as easy as adding the blocks you’ll need to a pan and stirring, until you’re left with a rich, garlicky sauce. Bellissimo!
Did you know that our Cream of Tomato Soup and Croutons doubles up as a dreamy sauce for pasta dishes and pizza bases? If your portions are all destined for your soup flask, don’t forget to prepare the toasted croutons separately. Their moreish, garlicky crunch is best enjoyed fresh.
Picard Portionnable Tomato Sauce is available from Ocado, priced at £4.00.
The Juice Company Super Green Smoothie Mix – 51 calories per 80g serving (5 servings per bag)
Chopped and ready to go straight in your blender, this The Juice Company Super Green Smoothie Mix is a protein rich time-saver. You’ll find enough pea protein, kale, banana, mango and passionfruit in each bag for 5 servings. Why not mix and match to keep things fresh? There are a few different ready-chopped fruit and veg bags to choose from in the same range, including ‘immune boost’ and ‘vitamin boost’ options.
Just like Aldi’s budget-friendly smoothie mix, our Coconut Banana and Maple Porridge gets part of its goodness from everyone’s favourite yellow fruit. While we’ve sprinkled our bowl with banana slices, lightly-toasted desiccated coconut and a drizzle of maple syrup, there’s nothing to stop you experimenting with different healthy porridge toppings.
What a way to start the day!
The Juice Company Super Green Smoothie Mix is available from Aldi, priced at £1.69.
Morrisons Savers Mussels in a Tomato & Herb Sauce – 81 calories per 1/2 pack
We couldn’t walk past this bargain at Morrisons. A portion of mussels big enough to serve 2, for just £1.50! These Savers Mussels in a Tomato and Herb Sauce don’t scrimp on value for money or flavour, as they come ready-soaked in a blend of tomato passata, garlic, basil and smoked paprika. Enjoy them on their own or pair them with your favourite pasta variety for an easy, Italian-inspired dinner (we’d have to go for linguine!).
They’d also work really well as part of the filling for our Admiral’s Fish Pie. A hearty, potato-topped wonder, this indulgent dish and its fishy filling never fails to leave us satisfied. Fish pies aren’t typically slimming friendly, and yet our clever recipe swims in at 600 calories per serving.
Morrisons Savers Mussels in a Tomato & Herb Sauce are available from Morrisons, priced at £1.50 per pack.
Sainsbury’s Flourish Creamy Chicken & Greens – 301 calories per pack
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a ready meal from time to time, especially while it’s cold and dreary. Sainsbury’s Flourish range has plenty of all-new additions worth checking out, including this portion of Creamy Chicken and Greens. We’re talking marinated chicken pieces in a creamy, white wine and mushroom sauce, alongside a selection of leafy greens and long grain rice. Not a bad way to enjoy 2 of your 5-a-day!
When it comes to creamy chicken dishes, our Creamy Pesto Chicken is one of the best. Bathed in a luscious reduced-fat cream cheese sauce infused with pesto, we’ve also paired tender chicken breasts with crunchy green beans and sun-dried tomatoes.
A batch-cook wonder, you can give it a new lease of life each time it’s served with a new accompaniment. We tend to serve it with Creamy Mashed Potatoes, but you won’t regret trying it with chips or rice.
Sainsbury’s Flourish Creamy Chicken & Greens is available from Sainsbury’s priced at £3.50.
Sainsbury’s Plant Pioneers Bang Bang Cauliflower – 129 calories per 1/2 pack
If you’re looking to spice up meat-free Mondays, you’ll want to try Sainsbury’s Plant Pioneers Bang Bang Cauliflower. Each zingy, fried floret comes marinated in a blend of coriander, red chilli and lemongrass. You can rustle up this Veganuary treat in the oven, but we’d say popping them in the air fryer would be even better; especially if you’re in a hurry for a spicy bite!
Cauliflower is far more versatile and useful than you might think. You’d barely recognise it in our Cauli Mac ‘n’ Cheese, as we’ve blended it to make our oh-so-silky cheese sauce.
It’s an epic, cheesy feast all on its own, but you can always ramp up the indulgence with a crispy slice of Cheesy Garlic Bread on the side.
Sainsbury’s Plant Pioneers Bang Bang Cauliflower is available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £1.50 per pack.
Harvest Morn Peanut Butter High Protein Bar – 223 calories per bar
Aldi is certainly keeping us on our toes lately with all its new protein-based products! It’s hard to say no to anything peanut butter flavoured, so we had to pick up this Harvest Morn Peanut Butter High Protein Bar. A protein-packed sweet treat that’ll give you a boost in a flash, it’s lower in sugars, without compromising on peanut butter deliciousness.
There are plenty of other flavours to choose from in the same range, including mint, Jaffa and cookie dough. That’s good news for your snack drawer!
Thanks to the magic of low-calorie peanut butter powder, you can make our Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars as light as 130 calories per square. An ideal accompaniment to your mid-afternoon brew, they’ll keep like a dream in an airtight container for around a week (in the fridge!).
Harvest Morn Peanut Butter High Protein Bar is available from Aldi, priced at £1.49.
The Gym Kitchen Plant Based Spaghetti Bolognese – 301 calories per pack
If you’re missing your favourite meat-based dishes while you’re sticking to Veganuary, The Gym Kitchen has got your back. This plant-based Spaghetti Bolognese is just the ticket if you’re feeling too rushed off your feet to cook, and it’s available right now at Asda.
Low in fat while high in fibre and protein, each microwave-heated portion should leave you feeling fuller for longer. There’s so much to love about Spaghetti Bolognese and Lasagne that it can be tough to choose between the two – with our Spaghetti Bolognese Lasagne, you don’t have to!
Forget about ready-made, shop-bought sauces; our hearty dish brings the flavour with a nutritious combination of chopped veggies, herbs and spices.
The Gym Kitchen Plant Based Spaghetti Bolognese is available from Asda, priced at £3.75.
Morrisons Sweet Potato Fritters – 250 calories per 1/2 pack
A delightfully crisp, savoury bite, these Sweet Potato Fritters from Morrisons have arrived just in time to curb your snacky cravings in Veganuary. Simply pop them in the oven (or your air fryer!) and wait until they’re baked to perfection. They come ready-coated in a mildly-spiced batter, so all you have to worry about is what to serve them with!
For an additional 13 calories, take your fritters’ flavours to the next level by dipping them in our homemade Sweet Chilli Sauce. Ready in under 10 minutes with a short list of simple staple ingredients, you’ll never catch us without a jar on standby; it’s our go-to dip when we get a snack-time hankering!
Morrisons Sweet Potato Fritters are available from Morrisons, priced at £2.40 per pack.
McVitie’s BN Mini Rolls Raspberry Flavour – 100 calories per mini roll
In true BN style, these all-new BN Mini Rolls from McVitie’s put a smile on our face. Available in both chocolate and raspberry, we’ve gone for the fruity filling to add a burst of berry sweetness to our day. At 100 calories per roll, these milk chocolate coated delights work perfectly as an indulgent sweet snack or supper-time treat.
If you’ll take any opportunity to work raspberry flavours into your day, you need to try our Pink Raspberry Custard. A trip down memory lane, we’ve included the school-inspired pudding on pages 264-265 of our latest cookbook, Pinch of Nom: Enjoy.
For an extra-special treat (and the full nostalgic experience!) we’d recommend serving a warm glug over a square of Coconut and Jam Sponge from Pinch of Nom: Comfort Food.
McVitie’s BN 5 Mini Rolls Raspberry Flavour are available from Asda, priced at £1.10 for a pack of 5 mini rolls.
Galaxy Orange Chocolate Digestives – 83 calories per biscuit
We’ve got four words for you: Galaxy Orange Chocolate Digestives. Pairing digestive biscuits with a coating of its signature milk chocolate, Galaxy has taken things to the next level with zesty, orange flavouring. While you’ll want to pop the kettle on and make your own mind up, we’re confident this match made in heaven will become a regular in the family biscuit tin.
Homemade chocolate orange bakes don’t come much simpler than our Chocolate Orange Baked Oats. Good enough to eat for breakfast, supper or dessert, you can work this cake-like bowl of porridge into your routine no matter what time of day your sweet cravings tend to creep in.
Before you tuck in with your spoon, don’t forget to add a drizzle of chocolate orange flavoured syrup…
Galaxy Orange Chocolate Digestives are exclusively available from Asda, priced at £1.90.
NEW 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 the rundown of this week’s Super 6 offering, along with some recipe ideas for you.
Braeburn Apples – 51 calories per 100g
Crunchy and sweet, Braeburn apples are perfect for snacking during the day. Halfway between green and red, these apples are known for being juicy and refreshing, with a delicious bite to them.
After you’ve rustled up a batch of our Apple Pie Cookies, they’ll stay gorgeously sweet in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You’ll know they’re cooked when they’re golden brown with a delightful crunch.
Baby Potatoes – 75 calories per 100g
Harvested before they reach full size, you can use these adorable little potatoes for everything from light salads to the Sunday roast. Boil them, bake them or load them up with flavour like we’ve done in this Chipotle Hasselback Potatoes recipe.
The key is not to cut the potatoes all the way through – you want them to hold their shape as they roast in the oven.
Closed Cup Mushrooms – 17 calories per 100g
Getting plenty of nutrition isn’t tricky with mushrooms on the menu. Filled with vitamins and easy to cook, they’re a versatile veggie you can always count on. From risottos to pasta dishes to stews, they’ll add a deeper, satisfying flavour to so many dishes.
With mushrooms in the mix, our Mushroom Carbonara doesn’t leave you missing bacon or ham at all. You can easily serve it to give your Veganuary meal plan a boost, with a couple of simple swaps.
Oranges – 47 calories per 100g
High in fibre and immune-boosting vitamin C, oranges are sure to leave you feeling full while curbing your sweet cravings with a burst of juicy citrus.
Why brighten up dull January lunchtimes with our colourful Carrot, Orange and Thyme Soup? Brimming with warming zinginess, it’s ideal to rustle up for lunch with a crusty wholemeal bread roll on the side.
Cherries – 50 calories per 100g
Sweet, juicy cherries aren’t just great to look at, they’re also delicious to eat! Keep them in the fridge as a quick grab-and-go snack or enjoy them as part of a scrumptious slimming-friendly dessert. They’re nice and budget-friendly while they’re in the Super 6 – thanks a bunch, Aldi!
Dinner party season might be over, but that doesn’t mean saying goodbye to decadent desserts. Even though they’re easy to make, our Black Forest Desserts never fail to look impressive. Especially with a bright red cherry on top!
Lychees – 81 calories per 100g
It’s not too often that you see lychees in the Super 6, so you’ll want to get yourself to Aldi if you’re a fan (they’re 89p per bag!). With delicate, floral flavours, they’re perfect for light dessert-time treats like sorbets and ice creams, or for freshening up cold beverages.
There’s nothing like a homemade, oven-baked crumble to warm you up from the inside. We’ve used fresh, juicy mango and baked pineapple to fill our crunchy-topped Tropical Crumble, but there’s nothing to stop you adding sliced lychee to enhance the tropical flavours.
**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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