Your Slimming Essentials – The Weekly Pinch of Shopping 16.02.24

Six of the products from the Weekly Pinch of Shopping in a rectangular grid format. The top row features aero Neapolitan ice cream melts, Iceland bacon rashers and ASDA's The Health Menu porridge. The bottom row features Birds Eye Hash Brown Fish Burgers, Loaded Bean Chilli and Cheese Flavour Veggie Puffs. There is a logo at the centre of the image with The Weekly Pinch of Shopping in bold letters.

It’s Friday and it’s time to run to the shops with our Weekly Pinch of Shopping list! As ever, we’ve found lots of tasty goodies you’ll want to take home and use for next week’s meal prep.

Fancy a fakeaway-night feast? The brand-new Birds Eye Crispy Hash Brown Fish Burgers caught our eye, and we just HAD to plate them up with a golden portion of chips. We’ve got two words for you: crunchy perfection!

You’ll also spot a couple of bits to brighten up your morning routine, including fruity, nutty muesli and a bag of protein-packed bagels.

Plus, if you’re looking for something sweet, the NEW Aero Melts are bubbling up a storm in Neapolitan Ice Cream flavour. You can enjoy 12 of them with a cuppa for 128 calories!

Pinch of Nom: Express is out NOW! Thank you SO MUCH for all the love you’ve been showing our brand-new book. It made our year to see how many of you tried and loved the recipes…and we never get bored, so keep those photos coming!

If you’ve made any of the new dishes, we’d love you to share photos with us in our Gallery, on our Facebook group or over on instagram @pinchofnom.  

You can order a copy here if you still need to grab one!

A banner image of Pinch of Nom's latest cookbook, Pinch of Nom: Express. The book is to the left with a large circular 'out now!' shout out. There are large bold letters to the right saying OUT NOW. The image is bordered with a red and white, race track inspired chequered flag pattern.

You can always 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.

Want to make sure you never miss a Weekly Pinch of Shopping? You can sign up to receive the Weekly Pinch of Shopping in your inbox here, so you’ll always be the first to read the new articles. 

**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!**

The Health Menu by ASDA Delicious Fruit & Nut Muesli – 173 calories per 45g serving

The Health Menu by ASDA Delicious Fruit & Nut Muesli, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calorie count printed above (173 calories per 45g serving).

The Health Menu by ASDA Delicious Fruit & Nut Muesli is pure wholesome breakfast-time fuel. Made with a scrummy combination of wholegrain oats, dried fruits (including apricots, dates and apples) and nuts, there’s no shortage of filling fibre and satisfying crunchiness.

Serve with dairy milk or swap for plant-based to keep it a totally vegan-friendly brekkie option.

Our heartwarming Apple Pie Porridge recipe gets its magic from a dreamy combination: sticky, honey-glazed apples and flaked almonds. While the golden wedges make for an eye-catching topping, we’ve also swirled grated apple into the porridge mixture with nutmeg, cinnamon and silky oat milk.

For even more flavourful topping ideas, take a scroll through our favourite healthy porridge toppings blog.

Pinch of Nom's Apple Pie Porridge served in three bowls on a yellow and white striped tabletop, with spoons waiting to dig in. Apple slices and flaked almonds are scattered on top.

The Health Menu by ASDA Delicious Fruit & Nut Muesli is available from Asda, priced at £2.50.

M&S High Protein Plain Bagels – 217 calories per bagel (15g protein)

M&S High Protein Plain Bagels, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calorie count printed above (217 calories per bagel - 15g protein).

You can’t beat starting the day with a toasted bagel! These M&S High Protein Plain Bagels are ideal if you’re looking to eat more protein, without having to make drastic changes to your meal plan. 

M&S’ Plain Eat Well Bagels have less than 10 grams of protein, while these pack in 15 grams (they’re also higher in vitamin D and fibre too).

Slice them in half for a higher protein version of our Egg-in-the-Hole Breakfast Bagel this weekend. Just bear in mind that you’ll need to adjust the calories too, if you’re keeping track!

You’ll find the full recipe for this one in our trusty Everyday Light cookbook, on pages 28-29. Keep your knife and fork handy – with that runny yolk centre, it’s too deliciously messy to eat with your hands!

Pinch of Nom's Egg-in-the-Hole Breakfast Bagel served in a bright orange skillet. The filling bacon, egg and salad filling is brimming from the bagel with a runny yolk spilling out from the top.

M&S High Protein Plain Bagels are available from M&S, priced at £2.50 for 4.

The Curators Cheese Flavour Veggie Puffs – 127 calories per 30g serving (10g protein)

The Curators Cheese Flavour Veggie Puffs, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calorie count printed above (127 calories per 30g serving - 10g protein).

Something a little bit different to curb your cravings next time you fancy a pack of crisps, these The Curators Cheese Flavour Veggie Puffs are a lighter, healthier option that’s still bold on flavour. 

Made with pea protein, these puffy plant-based bites are super cheesy and satisfying for 127 calories per serving (with 10 grams of protein to boot).

If you’re not a fan of cheese, pick up barbecue-flavoured veggie puffs from the same range.

We can’t talk about vegetarian-friendly goodies without mentioning our crispy-coated Air Fryer Veggie Dippers. Ready in half an hour with the magic of an air fryer at your fingertips, they’re only 177 calories per serving – homemade, spicy chipotle ketchup included!

Don’t have an air fryer yet? You can bake them to perfection with an oven too.

Pinch of Nom's Veggie Dippers are plated up on a blue and white gingham table with a side of spicy ketchup, ready for dipping.

The Curators Cheese Flavour Veggie Puffs are available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £2.60 per pack.

Iceland Sliced Bacon Rashers – 243 calories per 1/4 pack

Iceland Sliced Bacon Rashers, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calorie count printed above (243 calories per 1/4 pack).

We’re all about anything that saves time and effort, and these Iceland Sliced Bacon Rashers definitely cut down on cooking and chopping. Ready to add to your favourite dishes in a pinch, simply defrost them thoroughly, and sprinkle them into salads, pasta dishes, breakfasts and more. 

You could try swirling them into the egg mixture for our fluffy Breakfast Muffins. This reliable recipe is perfect to start the day with, or you can save a batch to snack on (hot or cold!) throughout the week.

A gorgeous way to use up leftovers, have some fun with the ingredients and add peppers, cheese, spring onion or broccoli – whatever you fancy!

Pinch of Nom's Breakfast Muffins are ready to eat in a 12-cup muffin tray. They're fluffed up and golden, and one has already been stolen and eaten.

Iceland Sliced Bacon Rashers are available from Iceland, priced at £4.00 per pack.

Sainsbury’s Coconut Laksa Soup, Limited Edition, Taste the Difference – 182 calories per 1/2 pack

Sainsbury's Coconut Laksa Soup, Limited Edition, Taste the Difference, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calorie count printed above (182 calories per 1/2 pack).

This Taste the Difference, Limited Edition Coconut Laksa Soup from Sainsbury’s is just about guaranteed to warm your soul. A hearty blend of veggies, rice noodles, garlic, fiery chilli and fragrant lemongrass, every spoonful is jam-packed with tantalising Thai flavours that’ll leave your taste buds wanting more.

Speaking of oh-so-creamy broths, our Thai-Style Green Curry Soup deserves a spot on your batch-cook rotation. With shredded chicken breast simmered in a warming combination of ingredients inspired by our love for Thai green curries, it’s the ultimate spicy comfort food.

We’ve ramped up the heat even further with a drizzle of sriracha sauce right before serving, but you can skip this for a milder serving.

A table is set with three bowls of Pinch of Nom's Thai-Style Green Curry Soup and some sliced limes. The green broth is packed full of chicken, noodles and vegetables, with sriracha sauce drizzled on top. Spoons are laid out nearby, ready to dig in.

Sainsbury’s Coconut Laksa Soup, Limited Edition, Taste the Difference is available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £3.00 per pack.

Tex Mex Feast Loaded Bean Chilli – 331 calories per 1/2 pack

Tex Mex Feast Loaded Bean Chilli, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calorie count printed above (331 calories per 1/2 pack).

Looking for a quick, convenient, meat-free dinner that doesn’t skimp on flavour? Tesco’s Tex Mex Feast Loaded Bean Chilli is just the ticket. Forget about mince! The filling here is made with smoky mixed beans and topped with crunchy tortilla chips, tangy Cheddar and gooey mozzarella cheeses.

There are already jalapeños scattered on top, but if you love their lip-smacking kick, we’d recommend adding some more!

Nothing says ‘Meat-free Monday’ quite like our Chilli Bean Pie. We’ve chopped up lots of veggies and beans and nestled them into an oven dish with a layer of crushed tortilla chips and cheesy mashed potatoes on top.

It’s bursting with so much chipotle-infused tastiness, even the fussiest eaters at the table won’t notice all the veg.

Pinch of Nom's Chilli Bean Pie is fresh from the oven in a large serving dish. A piece has been removed and dished onto a plate with a large spoon, leaving the vegetable-bean filling on show.

Tex Mex Feast Loaded Bean Chilli is available from Tesco, priced at £4.50.

Pro Mlk Chocolate Protein Shake – 188 calories per bottle

Pro Mlk Chocolate Protein Shake, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calorie count printed above (188 calories per bottle).

When you’ve got a craving for something sweet, it’s far better to reach for this Pro Mlk Chocolate Protein Shake than a full-fat hot chocolate or milkshake option. It’s high in the dreaded buzzword-of-the-minute (sorry, we’re gonna say it again…protein!) at 20 grams per bottle, and it’s also fat free.

Why not take it on the go for a filling treat you can sip on in-between meals?

All of us need a pick-me-up from time to time, and having a batch of Chocolate Swirls nearby never fails to make us feel better. A crispy, chocolatey nibble, you won’t believe you can make them with just TWO ingredients: ready-rolled light puff pastry and low-sugar syrup. 

Ready in just 15 minutes at only 82 calories per swirl, it’s well worth giving them a whirl!

A batch of Pinch of Nom's Chocolate Swirls are arranged on a bright pink tabletop spilling from a serving stand.

Pro Mlk Chocolate Protein Shake is available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £1.15 per bottle.

Birds Eye Crispy Hash Brown Fish Burgers – 213 calories per fish burger

Birds Eye Crispy Hash Brown Fish Burgers, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calorie count printed above (213 calories per fish burger).

We spotted ‘Hash Brown’ on the packaging for Birds Eye Crispy Hash Brown Fish Burgers, and it had us running over to the freezer for a closer look. Made with a thick, hash brown inspired coating, these chunky fish burgers are really easy to pop in the oven at a moment’s notice.

They’ll pair nicely with a side of steamed greens, or if you’re feeling really hungry, you can turn them into a fakeaway feast with a side of Homemade Oven Chips.

Thanks to our inventive Hash Brown Pizza recipe, we know just how surprisingly versatile hash browns can be. We’ve skipped floury dough for an oven-baked combination of shredded onions, cheese potatoes and egg.

It might sound strange but trust us, it really works (especially once all of your favourite pizza toppings are involved!).

Pinch of Nom's Hash Brown Pizza is plated up, ready-sliced with a hand reaching for a piece. Rocket leaves are sprinkled on top.

Birds Eye Crispy Hash Brown Fish Burgers are available from Iceland, priced at £3.00 for 2 burgers.

M&S Strawberry Kefir Frozen Yogurt – 186 calories per 1/2 pot

M&S Strawberry Kefir Frozen Yogurt, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calorie count printed above (186 calories per 1/2 pot).

Bursting with creamy, fruity sweetness, this M&S Strawberry Kefir Frozen Yogurt is great to scoop into a bowl with berries and granola. Good for you and your gut, kefir yoghurt has plenty of beneficial bacteria to aid digestion and give your immune system a boost.

This strawberry-flavoured pot is also delightfully low in calories and fat – that’s a win-win in our book!

You can have a go at making something similar at home by following our Strawberry Cheesecake Frozen Yoghurt recipe. It’s all topped off with an irresistible drizzle of tangy-sweet strawberry puree and crunchy crushed biscuits.

This berry-licious frozen dessert keeps nicely in the freezer for up to 3 months, so you’ll always have it on standby for a low-calorie sweet treat or pudding.

Pinch of Nom's Strawberry Cheesecake Frozen Yoghurt is served on a colourful striped tabletop in a blue and white serving dish. It's topped with strawberry puree and crushed biscuits. An ice cream scoop waits to the side to dig in.

M&S Strawberry Kefir Frozen Yogurt is available from M&S and Ocado, priced at £3.30 per tub.

Aero Melts Neapolitan Ice Cream – 128 calories per 12 pieces

Aero Melts Neapolitan Ice Cream, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calorie count printed above (128 calories per 12 pieces).

These Aero Melts Neapolitan Ice Cream won’t be for everyone, but we couldn’t resist giving them a try! A mixed bag made up of bubbly vanilla, strawberry and chocolate rounds, they melt on the tongue like a dream for 128 calories per serving (that’s 12 pieces!).

You’ll have to let us know what you think about them over in our Facebook group – bonus points if you share pictures too! Just make sure that you tag us so we don’t miss it.

This is your sign to turn to pages 154-155 of Budget and make Neapolitan Ice Pops. A great way to use up bananas that have seen better days, our recipe has all the colourful layers and flavours you’d expect, for only 84 calories a pop.

You’ll finish them off with a drizzle of melted chocolate and Oreo biscuit crumbs.

6 of Pinch of Nom's Neapolitan Ice Pops from the Budget cookbook are arranged on a wooden tabletop with a drizzle of melted chocolate and crushed biscuits on the top layer.

Aero Melts Neapolitan Ice Cream are available from Asda, priced at £1.50 for a sharing pack.

NEW Aldi Super 6 Fruit and Veg Selection

The fruit and veg selection from Aldi's Super 6, alongside their prices, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping.

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.

Swede – 38 calories per 100g

Swede from Aldi's Super 6 selection, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with calories above (38 calories per 100g).

As soon as we spot swede in the Super 6 deals, we get the urge to make our Vegetable Coconut Curry. The tender chunks pair so well with the flavours of coconut, chilli and lime! A surprisingly versatile root veg that’s yummy in soups and stews, it’s also great as a side dish mashed-up with carrots, or with potatoes for a comforting gratin. 

Two portions of Pinch of Nom's Vegetable Coconut Curry are served on a blue tabletop in a large white, striped bowl and on a pink plate. There's a fork to the side ready to dig in.

Red Seedless Grapes – 69 calories per 100g

Red Grapes from Aldi's Super 6 selection, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with calories above (69 calories per 100g).

Naturally sweet and far better for you than a grab-and-go snack bar, you can’t go wrong with a punnet of grapes in the fridge. Pop a handful into a tupperware container and take them with you to get you through the mid-afternoon lull!

This might sound strange, but grapes actually work really well in salads! Our Chicken Waldorf Salad uses the sweet freshness of sliced grapes and apples for a light, flavourful lunch.

Pinch of Nom's Chicken Waldorf Salad is plated up on a red and white gingham-patterned plate, with a forks waiting to the side ready to dig in.

Easy Peelers – 35 calories per 100g

Easy Peelers from Aldi's Super 6 selection, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with calories above (35 calories per 100g).

Full of vitamin C, there’s no denying that easy peelers make a great addition to any breakfast spread. Why not start your morning right with our fiery Tex Mex Toast, and then cool things down afterwards with a refreshing burst of juicy-sweet orange?

There’s already a hint of zingy citrus involved with this recipe, thanks to the squeeze of lime in our colourful homemade salsa.

A table is set with two plates of Tex Mex Toast. The toast is topped with smashed avocado, tomato and spring onion salsa, a dollop of fat-free Greek yoghurt and a poached egg. The egg has been cut into and yellow yolk is oozing onto the other toppings.

Limes – 30 calories per 100g

Limes from Aldi's Super 6 selection, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with calories above (30 calories per 100g).

You can always count on limes to give any dish you’re cooking a punchy boost. Perfect for elevating the flavours in all kinds of recipes, they’re especially delicious paired with chillies for fiery fakeaway dinners. Try a squeeze of lime juice over our Sticky Chilli Chicken with Noodles – you won’t regret it!

A table is set with two portions of Pinch of Nom's Sticky Chilli Chicken with Noodles on white plates, with a side plate of lemon wedges waiting to be squeezed over.

Baby corn – 26 calories per 100g

Babycorn from Aldi's Super 6 selection, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with calories above (26 calories per 100g).

A fresh, crunchy handful of baby corn always goes down a treat in fried rice dishes, stir-fries and curries. You can also dunk it into a tasty dip, or try it sliced into a fresh salad. We think it adds the perfect bite to our much-loved Diet Coke/Pepsi Max Chicken recipe. You’ll never get bored of the homemade, takeaway-inspired sweet and sour sauce!

Pinch of Nom's Diet Coke / Pepsi Max Chicken is served on a blue tabletop in a serving dish with chopsticks waiting to tuck in, and a fluffy side portion of basmati rice in a bamboo basket.

Mini Apples – 53 calories per 100g

Mini Apples from Aldi's Super 6 selection, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with calories above (53 calories per 100g).

Just as juicy as a full-sized version in a snack-sized bite, mini apples are great to pick up while they’re at a bargain price. Why not slice them up and bake them until golden in our Sausage Traybake recipe? Toss them together to bake with a medley of vegetables for 45 minutes in the oven…easy-peasy!

Pinch of Nom's Sausage Traybake is served fresh from the oven in a casserole dish, with a portion plated up to the side.

**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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