Your Slimming Essentials – The Weekly Pinch of Shopping 17.12

Whether you’ve already started your Christmas food shop, or you’re just beginning to think about what to put on the table during the festive period, we’ve got some ideas for what you should put on your shopping list this week! That’s right…it’s Friday and we’re here with a Christmas edition of The Weekly Pinch of Shopping. 

Along with bits for your buffet tables, this week we’ve found everything you need to have yourself a merry little Christmas. 

If you haven’t picked up your turkey crown yet, we’ve got you covered with a butter-basted turkey breast joint that’ll turn out succulent and delicious. 

Anyone else LOVE Christmas pudding? What if we told you we’d found some crumbly soft baked cookies with Christmas pudding centres? You’ll want to pop them in your basket immediately!

Pssst…did you know that our NEW cookbook Pinch of Nom Comfort Food is out NOW! If you haven’t got your hands on a copy yet, it’s FULL of hearty, wholesome, home cooked dishes including Sweet Potato Chilli, Stuffed Pasta Bolognese and Millionaire’s Shortbread. Do we need to say any more?! Get your copy here or pick one up in your nearest supermarket. 

We’ve also dropped in the details of the brand new Super 6. Every fortnight Aldi discounts a selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, so we’re giving you the rundown of this week’s selection. 

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.

Make sure that you make a note of your favourite products so that you can pick them up with your weekly shopping. Our new Quick & Easy food planner is perfect for this as it will really help you to plan out your meals and keep track of exactly what you’re eating or need to buy.

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. 

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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!**

Let’s Party Yakitori Chicken Skewers – 22 calories per skewer

Whether you’re planning picky bits for Christmas Eve or an impressive Boxing Day buffet, a well-stocked freezer is your best friend over the festive period. 

These Let’s Party Yakitori Chicken Skewers are exactly the kind of frozen snack to stock up on. You’ll love how easy and fuss-free they are, and your guests will love the Asian inspired flavours. 

The little chicken skewers cook from frozen in just 15 minutes. You get 12 in a pack, and at 22 calories each, they’re super slimming friendly – ideal if you’re saving space for something sweet! 

If you prefer nutty flavours, why not add these Chicken Satay Skewers to the buffet table? The satay dipping sauce is made from powdered peanut butter to cut down on calories (but it’s so rich and delicious, you’d never know)!

Let’s Party Yakitori Chicken Skewers are available from Aldi, priced at £1.79 for a pack of 12. 

Plant Pioneers No Turkey Crown with Sage & Onion Stuffing – 169 calories per serving

If you’re looking for a veggie alternative for Christmas dinner, look no further! This Plant Pioneers No Turkey Crown with Sage & Onion Stuffing looks the part and tastes great too! 

Made from mushroom and pea protein, the meat-free turkey crown even has sage and onion stuffing running through the centre for added flavour. 

Easy to slice and share, it cooks in the oven in less than an hour and serves four people. Served with all the (veggie) trimmings, this is a delicious alternative for all the vegetarians around the table on Christmas day. 

Don’t forget to make some Christmas Bread Sauce to serve on the side! The creamy texture and subtle flavour always makes your roast dinner feel that little bit more magical. 

Looking for more vegetarian Christmas recipes? We have a whole article full of inspiration right here. 

Plant Pioneers No Turkey Crown with Sage & Onion Stuffing is available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £5.50. 

Morrisons Mulled Wine Mix – 27 calories per portion

We’re well into December now, so we’ll be cracking out the mulled wine at every opportunity! If you like to make your own, this Morrisons Mulled Wine Mix will come in handy. 

The mixture of apples, cranberries, oranges and spices can be found in the freezer section of the supermarket. This means it stays fresh for whenever that craving for a drink of hot, fruity, subtly spiced wine kicks in. 

All you need to do is add a portion into a pan of red wine or apple cider to infuse the alcohol with the perfectly blended flavours. 

If you’d prefer to try a lighter version of Mulled Wine, our recipe replaces some of the wine with ginger ale. This adds extra warmth and a fiery undertone while cutting out some of the calories. Does that mean we can have another glass?! 

Morrisons Mulled Wine Mix is available from the frozen section at Morrisons, priced at £1.50 for a 350g bag. 

ASDA Bruce The Brussels Sprout Ice Cream Lollies – 59 calories per lolly

We’ve found a guaranteed way to make sure the kids eat their sprouts! These ASDA Bruce The Brussels Sprout Ice Cream Lollies are the ultimate fun festive treat.

Before you start to worry, they’re not actually flavoured with Brussels sprouts! Instead, these cute little sprouts on a stick are made from delicious vanilla ice cream. 

At just 59 calories per lolly, these are too good to be saved for the kids though – grown ups will love them too! Now you can eat your sprouts and be sure that you’re on Santa’s nice list this year. 

Why not have a go at making your own cute Christmas sweet treats? The whole family can get involved with making these Rice Krispie Christmas Puds. They’re perfect for snacking on in front of your fave festive film. 

ASDA Bruce The Brussels Sprout Ice Cream Lollies are available from Asda, priced at £1.00 for a pack of 4. 

Sainsbury’s Bucks Fizz Scottish Smoked Salmon – 95 calories per 1/2 pack

We love to have some smoked salmon in the fridge over the Christmas period. It’s delicious served at a buffet or party, but we also love a fancy festive breakfast of smoked salmon and eggs on Christmas morning.

This Sainsbury’s Bucks Fizz Scottish Smoked Salmon is definitely ready for a celebration! It’s finished with a prosecco and orange glaze, with a gold sparkle for that added bit of magic. Ready to serve, it’s a tasty, festive, Christmas essential! 

Why not try serving these Dill Cream Cheese and Smoked Salmon Bagels before everyone starts tearing into all the gifts waiting under the tree? You can find the full recipe in our Quick & Easy cookbook. 

Sainsbury’s Bucks Fizz Scottish Smoked Salmon is available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £4.45 for 100g. 

Waitrose Christmas Honey & Thyme Carrots – 94 calories per 1/4 pack

For Christmas dinner, even your veg deserves a festive makeover. There are all kinds of glazes, sauces and herbs you can add to give your greens a little Christmas spirit, or your root vegetables a festive flavour infusion.

These Christmas Honey & Thyme Carrots from Waitrose take all the faff out of the preparation. They’re already glazed with sweet honey and aromatic thyme, and come with pats of honey-infused butter to add incredible flavour and richness as they roast. 

For a fruitier twist on this festive side dish, why not give our Maple Glazed Carrots a try? They’re finished with a drizzle of maple syrup, plump cranberries and zingy lemon zest – and they’re just 58 calories per serving.

Waitrose Christmas Honey & Thyme Carrots are available from Waitrose, priced at £3.50. 

Canderel Bake Caster Sugar Alternative – 26 calories per 100g

If you’re planning on doing some slimming friendly Christmas baking, you might want to pick up a bag of this Canderel Bake Caster Sugar Alternative. It has the same weight and sweetness as normal caster sugar, but 94% less calories! 

This means you can use it like for like, swapping it out wherever a recipe calls for caster sugar. From Yule logs to Christmas cake, this is an easy way to cut out some of the calories without feeling like you’re missing out. 

Why not try it out in these Black Forest Desserts? Rich with cherries and dark chocolate, they’re a tasty alternative to Christmas puddings. 

You can find out more about which type of sweetener to use in your baking in our handy article here.

Canderel Bake Caster Sugar Alternative is available from Tesco, priced at £4.00 for a £370g bag. 

Sainsbury’s Christmas Prosecco Rosé – 86 calories per 125ml

If you like to have a glass of fizz with your Christmas dinner, we’ve found a bottle of pink bubbles that’s perfect for toasting to a very merry Christmas! 

Sainsbury’s Christmas Prosecco Rosé is an extra dry prosecco that’s perfect for enjoying with your food. Like all prosecco, it’s much more slimming friendly than other alcoholic beverages, at just 86 calories per glass. You can find out more about the calories in alcohol on the NHS website or in The Pinch of Nom Guide to Calories in Alcohol. 

This means that cocktails based on prosecco also tend to be on the lighter side – which is great news if you’re planning a festive soiree! This Elderflower Gin Fizz mixes two of the most slimming friendly alcohols (gin and prosecco) to create a fruity, fizzy drink that’s perfect for saying cheers on New Year’s Eve. 

Sainsbury’s Christmas Prosecco Rosé is available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £10.00.

ASDA Plant Based Meat Free Mini Eggs – 35 calories per egg

Whether you’re vegan or not, these Plant Based Meat Free Mini Eggs from Asda are sure to sneak their way onto your plate. Similar to a Scotch egg, they’re coated in golden breadcrumbs and can be served hot or cold. 

Inside is a vegan-friendly mixture of wheat protein, onion, couscous, bulgur wheat and vegan mayonnaise. Perfect for snacking, they’re an essential buy for anyone hosting any meat-free Christmas festivities. 

If you need even more vegan inspiration, don’t miss our Vegan Nuggets recipe. It’s packed full of veggie goodness and creates crispy, golden nuggets that are so tasty, you’d never miss the meat. 

ASDA Plant Based Meat Free Mini Eggs are available from Asda, priced at £2.00 for a pack of 16. 

Tesco Butter Basted Turkey Breast Joint – 194 calories per 1/4 pack

If there are only a few meat-eaters around the table on Christmas Day, you probably won’t be needing a whole turkey this year. To avoid eating leftovers for days on end, why not try this Butter Basted Turkey Breast Joint from Tesco? 

Unlike a turkey crown, there’s no bones to remove, which makes for much easier carving. Basted with butter and topped with cracked black pepper, this joint will turn out succulent and flavourful too. It cooks in an hour and 15 minutes, so you’ve got time to get all your trimmings sorted before it’s ready. 

Don’t forget to make some stuffing balls! This Chestnut Stuffing is full of festive flavour from cranberries, smoky bacon and herby sage. Delicious!

Tesco Butter Basted Turkey Breast Joint is available from Tesco, priced at £5.00. 

Morrisons Christmas Pudding Cookies – 106 calories per cookie

Someone put the kettle on – we’ve found your new favourite festive sweet treat! Imagine all the fruity flavours of a Christmas pudding, wrapped up inside a soft baked chocolate cookie. 

That’s exactly what you get from these Morrisons Christmas Pudding Cookies. At just 106 calories per cookie, they’re lighter than you might expect, and such a delicious treat to enjoy as a snack or even as a dessert. 

You can eat them cold or pop one in the microwave for 10 seconds – trust us, these taste incredible when you serve them warm! Why not add a swirl of reduced fat aerosol cream for added indulgence?

If you love to bake your own cookies at Christmas, you’ll love these Spiced Christmas Biscuits. They’re so simple, fun to decorate and even more fun to eat! 

Morrisons Christmas Pudding Cookies are available from Morrisons, priced at £2.00 for a pack of 8. 

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 fortnight’s selection, plus a little inspiration for how you could use each ingredient:

Carrots  – 41 calories per 100g

Whether you steam them, boil them or roast them, you’ll be wanting a few carrots on the side of your Christmas dinner! 

Why not pick up a bag of carrots while they’re in Aldi’s Super 6 and transform them into a budget friendly starter for your Christmas meal? This Carrot, Orange and Thyme Soup is packed with festive flavour, and light enough to enjoy before the main event. 

Brussels Sprouts – 43 calories per 100g

Even if you don’t love them, it’s not Christmas unless there’s a bowl of sprouts on the table! These days there are so many recipes around that can help you add LOADS of flavour to your sprouts – no more boring Brussels! 

This year we’ll be spooning this Cheesy Sprout Bake onto our plates. Combined with leeks, juicy cranberries and (you guessed it) plenty of cheese, this dish is tasty enough to change the minds of any sprout dodgers!

Swede – 38 calories per 100g

We think swede is such an underrated veg! It’s so versatile, and great for everything from soups and stews to mash. You’ve probably tried it mashed up with carrots, but if you fancy trying something a bit different on your Christmas dinner, how about this Layered Potato and Swede Gratin?

It’s got everything – creamy layers of mashed potatoes, onions and swede, and a crunchy, herby breadcrumb topping. It’s so good it’ll be a new Christmas favourite!

Parsnips – 75 calories per 100g

How do you feel about parsnips on your Christmas dinner? They might not be a vegetable that you buy often, although they make a great addition to your Sunday roast, or chopped up into a wintery stew. 

We’re obsessed with these Honey Glazed Roast Parsnips. The sweet glaze gets all crispy and caramelised in the oven, bringing out the best of those honeyed flavours. Why not boil your parsnips on Christmas Eve, to save yourself a little extra time on the big day?

Red/White Cabbage – 30 calories per 100g

There’s something so festive about red cabbage! Maybe it’s the splash of colour it adds to the plate, but we always have it on our Christmas dinner. If you prefer the flavour of white cabbage, the good news is that both varieties are in the Super 6 this week!

Red cabbage is FULL of vitamins and antioxidants, meaning it adds a boost of goodness to your Christmas spread. Try cooking it with the perfect subtle spices to make this aromatic Braised Red Cabbage – it’s one of our most popular veg dishes! 

White Potatoes – 75 calories per 100g

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the perfect roasties or a scoop of creamy mash on your plate. These white potatoes from Aldi will work for whatever recipe you fancy trying, and you can save a few pennies at the same time. 

We think these ones would be especially good for mashing, so we’d use them to make a big bowl of our Creamy Mashed Potatoes. Trust us, you don’t need any butter or cream to get them smooth and indulgent tasting!

**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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