Your Slimming Essentials – The Weekly Pinch Of Shopping 15.01
This week’s list of slimming essentials includes some more fantastic products for anyone taking part in Veganuary or Dry January, including alcohol free gin that tastes just like the real thing.
If you’re craving a satay curry from your local takeaway but can’t justify the extra calories, then we’ve found a peanut butter powder that is easily one of our favourite products.
We use it in loads of our website recipes, as well as in all of our books including our brand new cookbook, Pinch of Nom: Quick and Easy.
We’ve also found some cookie dough ice cream bites that are low in calories but full of flavour, as well as a range of other sweet treats that you can enjoy without guilt on your slimming journey.
If you’re looking for a really easy way to keep yourself on track and plan your meals then make sure you grab our second food planner. It’s the easiest way to meal plan and keep track of exactly what you’re eating.
We’ve also got the latest roundup of the Aldi Super 6, including tropical lychees, sweet peppers and salad potatoes as well as some classic fruits to stock up on.
Lots of these products have been talked about over on our Facebook Group, so if you’re not a member then make sure that you click here to join now so that you don’t miss out (and don’t forget to share any delicious new products that you come across).
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, and to make things really convenient we’ve also listed any relevant nutritional info and the RRP.
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!**
Little Moons Cookie Dough Ice Cream Bites – 95 calories per ball
We’ve all been there, trying to portion out a bowl of cookie dough ice cream and accidentally adding an extra scoop or two! The good news is these Little Moons Cookie Dough Ice Cream Bites are already portioned out into delicious bite-sized balls!
These little balls of deliciousness claim to have ‘cookie dough in every bite’ while each ball comes in at only 95 calories, which sounds good to us!
Ideal for a dessert after dinner or for a mid-afternoon treat, these rich, indulgent ice cream bits will satisfy your sweet craving and still fit within your slimming plan.
Suitable for vegetarians and free from artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, we think these are a great alternative to some of the higher sugar ice creams found in the freezer aisle.
We think a scoop would go perfectly with our Chocolate Cake with Salted Caramel Cream.
Little Moons Cookie Dough Ice Cream Bites are available from Ocado and Tesco for around £4.50 for a box of 6.
Shore Sweet Sriracha Seaweed Chips – 119 calories per serving
If you’re looking for a lower calorie alternative to crisps then these Shore Sweet Sriracha Seaweed Chips are just the thing.
100% plant based and made from 20g of fresh seaweed, these chips are high in fibre and iodine and free from GMO and trans fats.
Seaweed chips might sound a bit odd, but we promise that they’re delicious and they don’t have a strong taste of seaweed at all!
Each 25g serving has 119 calories so they’re perfect for a mid-morning snack or enjoying as part of your lunch.
We think they work really well when served alongside our Low Carb Chicken and Ham Wraps, or even with our Spinach and Pesto Hummus.
We love spicy food, but if sriracha isn’t your thing then these Shore Seaweed Chips are also available in slightly salted.
You can grab these Shore Sweet Sriracha Seaweed Chips from Sainsbury’s for £2 per bag.
Like Meat Pea Based Smoked Sausage – 218 calories per 100g
Whether you’re following a vegan diet or you’re just looking to cut down on the amount of meat you’re eating, this Like Meat Pea Based Smoked Sausages is packed full of flavour and a delicious alternative to meat.
Made from pea protein and with a tasty, smoked flavour, these sausages are suitable for vegans and they’re also free from gluten.
They won’t take ages to cook either as they can be cooked on a grill or in a pan in around 6 minutes which means that they’re perfect for enjoying as part of a vegan barbecue.
They’re super versatile and can also be enjoyed as a substitute in pretty much any sausage dish including our Spicy Sausage Pasta or our Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole – if you’re cooking for vegan diets, make sure to double check the other ingredients these dishes need as well!
These Like Meat Pea Based Smoked Sausages are available in Tesco and Sainsbury’s at around £3.30.
Müller Light Salted Caramel Skyr – 90 calories per pot
A sweet, salted caramel pudding that clocks in at only 90 calories per pot? This Müller Light Salted Caramel Skyr ticks all the boxes!
Thick, creamy and indulgent, a little of this Icelandic style yoghurt goes a long way. It’s packed with protein so keeps you fuller for longer, while also being fat free.
It’s suitable for vegetarians, so makes a great choice for breakfast if you’re following a meat-free diet or are trying to reduce your meat consumption.
Try spooned over a pile of fresh fruit, or a dollop on top of a stack of Banana and Chocolate Pancakes.
Pick up a 150g pot of Müller Light Salted Caramel Skyr at most supermarkets for around £1.25.
Bisto Microwave Ready Gravy Pots – 34 calories per pot
We’re big fans of products that make life a little easier and these Bisto Microwave Ready Gravy Pots are perfect after a busy day.
Suitable for vegetarians and low in sugar and fat, simply pop them into the microwave for a minute and then drizzle over your favourite dish.
We think that they work especially well when poured over our Toad In The Hole or served alongside our Yorkshire Pudding Wrap for dipping.
Each pot has just 34 calories which means that these Bisto Microwave Ready Gravy Pots are not only super convenient, but a slimming essential too.
If you have a bit more time on your hands, then why not check out our Gravy recipe? It’s totally delicious and the perfect accompaniment to your Sunday roast.
You can find these Bisto Microwave Ready Gravy Pots in most supermarkets for around £1.60.
Bells & Whistles Berry & Cashew Cake Slices – 94 calories a slice
For a deliciously soft, melt-in-the-mouth cake slice, these Bells & Whistles Berry & Cashew Cake Slices are just the ticket!
Free from gluten, wheat and dairy, these cake slices are suitable for people following a variety of diets that fancy a fuss-free sweet treat in a pinch.
With a sprinkling of sweet cranberries, a coconut almond base and a rich chocolate ganache, this one covers all of your favourite flavours in one go!
Ideal for popping in the car or in a packed lunch, these cake slices not only look great but taste really indulgent while coming in at under 100 calories a slice.
Try serving gently warmed with a dollop of fresh Custard or Greek yoghurt for a simple pud that everyone can enjoy.
Sainsbury’s and Asda sell these Bells & Whistles Berry & Cashew Cake Slices for £2.30 per pack of 4.
ASDA Free From Soft Cheese Alternative – 84 calories per 30g
You might think that following a vegan diet means that ‘creamy’ dishes are completely out of the question, but Asda’s Free From Soft Cheese Alternative is a really easy way to make your favourite meal vegan friendly.
It’s not just great for vegans, however, as this ASDA Free From Soft Cheese Alternative is also dairy free and means that you can still get that creamy texture without the milk.
That means that some of our favourite dishes like our Creamy Tomato Pasta, Creamed Cabbage and Leeks and Marmite Mushrooms on Toast can all be made vegan friendly with just a couple of swaps!
Each 30g serving of this ASDA Free From Soft Cheese Alternative has 84 calories and it’s also free from gluten and is a source of calcium.
You can find this ASDA Free From Soft Cheese Alternative in Asda for 93p per tub.
ASDA Farm Stores Sweet Potatoes – 98 calories per 100g
The humble sweet potato is a slimming essential in our house, and these ASDA Farm Stores Sweet Potatoes are a bargain choice.
Sweet potatoes naturally contain plenty of fibre, meaning they’re great for your digestive system and will keep you fuller for longer. They make a tasty, sweet alternative to white potatoes, and you can use them in the same way.
Try a jacket sweet potato with your favourite fillings. We think they work particularly well with leftover Chilli Conand a sprinkling of cheese, or as a side to your fakeaway curry with our Sweet Potato Pakoras.
A 500g bag of ASDA Farm Stores Sweet Potatoes is available for 60p.
Gordon’s 0.0 Alcohol Free – 12 calories per 100ml
Attempting Dry January this year? We have just the thing for you! Gordon’s 0.0 Alcohol Free is the perfect slimming essential for you this week.
With the same unrecognisable flavour and juniper notes as the standard gin, but with zero alcohol! You can still use it in delicious cocktails like an Elderflower Gin Fizz, or over a calorie free sparkling water or lemonade.
With 100ml containing only 12 calories, it’s a significant saving on the usual 263 calories from alcoholic gin. We’ll ‘cheers’ to that!
Whether it’s for a slimming friendly tipple on a Friday night or adding to desserts and bakes for a little extra kick, this is a go-to choice when you want the full-bodied flavour without the calories.
Tesco and Waitrose sell Gordon’s 0.0 Alcohol Free for £12 per 750cl bottle.
PB Fit Original Peanut Butter Powder – 53 calories per serving
We love the flavour of peanut butter, but as it’s fairly high in calories it’s not exactly compatible with a slimming friendly diet.
Peanut Butter powder means that you can still enjoy the flavours of peanut butter without all of the extra calories, and this PB Fit Original Peanut Butter Powder is an absolute slimming essential.
Simply add some water and mix to create a low calorie, super tasty alternative to peanut butter that’s perfect for spreading on toast or adding to smoothies – it’s gluten free and suitable for vegans too!
PB Fit Original Peanut Butter Powder is also fantastic for cooking with. Instead of adding 32 grams of peanut butter to your dish, mix 12 grams of the powder with 20ml of water to create a paste and save over 130 calories and 14 grams of fat – how good is that?!
Peanut Butter powder is definitely one of our favourite slimming hacks and we use it in loads of different recipes. Try it in our Banana and Peanut Muffins, Chicken Satay Curry, or our Snickers Mini Rolls.
You can grab this PB Fit Original Peanut Butter Powder from Asda, Sainsbury’s or Ocado for around £4.99 a tub.
Aldi Super 6
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.
This time, it’s full of Christmas staples so you can have your side dishes sorted without spending a fortune!
Oranges – 47 calories per 100g
You can’t beat a sweet, tangy orange to brighten up a dull day!
We love having a fully stocked fruit bowl that’s full of different colours, textures and flavours for an inviting snack at any time of day, especially because oranges are full of Vitamin C! It really helps at those times it’s tough to decide between unhealthy snacks and a piece of fruit.
Serve alongside Chocolate Orange Baked Oats for a fruit packed breakfast.
Conference Pears – 64 calories per fruit
A plump, juicy pear is one of our favourite fruits, so we love to see them at a bargain price at Aldi! To make the most of your pears, make sure you bring them to room temperature before eating!
Keep some in the fruit bowl for easy snacking, or bake into a Pear and Almond Sponge!
Salad Potatoes – 87 calories per 100g
A simple classic, boil or roast these salad potatoes for an easy side dish that you can adapt to your own taste in minutes!
Try Roasted Potatoes with Smoked Bacon as a side for your Sunday roast, or serve cold tossed in a creamy dressing with our Potato Salad!
Sweet Pointed Peppers – 44 calories per 100g
Don’t let the sweet name put you off, these peppers add an amazing depth of flavour to so many dishes!
They are a slightly sweeter version of a red bell pepper, and work incredibly well in dips. Try slow roasting them and blending in Hummus and serve with veggie crudites.
Radish – 16 calories per 100g
With a similar taste to a spring onion and a satisfying crunch, radishes are the perfect addition to a fresh salad! Try thinly sliced and mixed into a Salmon Tabbouleh Salad!
Lychees – 81 calories per 100g
Lychees may look unusual, but there’s nothing unusual about the sweet, tropical flavour!
Bring a little sunshine to your fruit bowl, or add to a warming bowl of Tropical Rice Pudding for a change to your usual choice of fruit.
**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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