Your Slimming Essentials – The Weekly Pinch of Shopping 19.01.24

A portrait header image featuring six of the products from the Weekly Pinch of Shopping. The top row features breaded sweet chilli chicken, barbecue high protein rice cakes and white chocolate covered cookies and cream biscuits. The bottom row features Birds Eye seasoned potato bites, Morrisons filled gnocchi and Aldi's dessert menu protein pancakes. There is a logo at the centre of the image with The Weekly Pinch of Shopping in bold letters.

Brrr! It’s been a cold one, so we’re warming things up with a brand-new Weekly Pinch of Shopping. Nothing puts us in a good mood quite like good food, and we’re beating the January blues with sweet and savoury comfort bites.

You’ll spot that we’ve included some indulgent white chocolate-covered cookies and cream biscuits on this week’s list. They’re begging to be dunked in a cuppa for 104 calories each!

For anyone in need of a fakeaway Friday, we’ve found the perfect thing…Sweet Chilli Chicken Breast Fillets. Coated in breadcrumbs, with plenty of sweet chilli sauce, they’re banging served with a takeaway-style portion of rice or chips.

Plus, there’s no escaping the word ‘protein’ at the moment. Keep scrolling to try Aldi’s ready-to-flip stack of fluffy pancake fuel with 20 grams of protein.

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. This week we’ve given you a reminder of the current selection, so hurry down to Aldi to pick up some bargains before a fresh selection goes on offer next week! 

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!**

ASDA Squeezy Squash Apple and Blackcurrant Flavour – 1 calorie per 100ml (diluted)

A bottle of ASDA apple and blackcurrant squeezy squash, featured in the Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calories listed above it (1 calorie per 100ml - diluted).

Following a New Year’s Resolution to drink more water? Asda’s Squeezy Squash Apple and Blackcurrant Flavour will help you keep things fresh with an instant boost of fruity flavours.

The unique squeezy bottle design cuts down on large plastic bottles, and makes it far more convenient to enjoy a sweet, low-calorie sip on the go (you’ll want around 250ml of water for every 3.3ml of squash).

If you love berries and apples, the filling in our Vegan Blackberry and Apple Crumble is warm, juicy and beautiful.

We’ve kept the calories lower than you’d expect for a crumble by using dairy-free alternatives, and swirled together porridge oats with cinnamon for the crisp golden topping.

An oven dish filled with Pinch of Nom's low-calorie freshly baked Vegan Blackberry and Apple Crumble. It is a golden crumble topping with a juicy red fruit filling. Two servings have been spooned onto scalloped pink plates, one of them with a spoon ready to dig in.

ASDA Squeezy Squash Apple and Blackcurrant Flavour is available from Asda, priced at £1.29.

Morrisons Peach Slices In Light Syrup – 70 calories per 1/2 can (drained)

A can of Morrisons' light tinned peach slices, featured in the Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calories listed above it (70 calories per 1/2 can - drained).

With Morrisons’ Peach Slices in Light Syrup in the store cupboard, you’re already part of the way towards a juicy-sweet snack or dessert. Coated in a lighter, sweetened syrup, you can tuck into half a can for around 70 calories.

They’ll curb your sweet cravings on their own, or take them from a light bite to a fully-fledged pudding with a glug of low-fat cream, or a side scoop of homemade ice cream.

Ready-sliced with the stones removed, tinned peaches can be handy for topping our Peach and Blueberry Tart when you can’t get hold of fresh. A bakery-inspired sweet treat, we’ve brought the calories down with a number of nifty swaps, including light puff pastry sheets, extra light cream cheese and reduced-sugar jam.

An oven tray filled with Pinch of Nom's low-calorie Peach and Blueberry Tart. Rows of golden, oven-baked peaches and blueberries rest on top of a puff pastry base, with a slice being removed by a spatula. A portion is plated up on a white plate with a dollop of cream on top.

Morrisons Peach Slices In Light Syrup is available from Morrisons, priced at £1.10 per tin.

M&S Barbecue High Protein Rice Cakes – 43 calories per rice cake

A bright orange packet of M&S barbecue high protein rice cakes, featured in the Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calories listed above it (43 calories per rice cake).

When you’re feeling peckish, you won’t regret having M&S Barbecue High Protein Rice Cakes within reach. A scrummy grab-and-go savoury snack you can tuck into your bag, cupboard or office desk drawer, enjoy the lip-smacking BBQ flavouring for only 43 calories per rice cake.

Part of M&S’ Eat Well range, they’re also higher in protein than average rice cakes to keep you fueled for longer.

As far as light, BBQ-style bites go, you can’t beat these crispy-coated Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Nuggets. Ready in 15 minutes with a short list of simple ingredients, we’ve sealed the smokiness in by marinating our chicken pieces before they’re covered in golden crumbs.

If you don’t have an air fryer, bake them to crispy perfection in the oven instead.

A yellow table is set with a blue serving plate full of Pinch of Nom's BBQ Chicken Nuggets, with a yellow fork waiting to dig in. There's also a smaller white speckled plate serving a portion of chips with a squeeze of ketchup.

M&S Barbecue High Protein Rice Cakes are available from M&S and Ocado, priced at £2.00 for a pack of 14 rice cakes.

Morrisons Tomato and Mozzarella Filled Gnocchi – 351 calories per 1/2 pack

A green and red packet of Morrisons' filled tomato and mozzarella gnocchi, featured in the Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calories listed above it (351 calories per 1/2 pack).

Great for a speedy midweek lunch or dinner, Morrisons’ Tomato & Mozzarella Filled Gnocchi goes from pan to plate in just 5 minutes. Each fluffy little potato dumpling comes ready-filled with a classic Italian-style combination of tomato, ricotta and melty mozzarella.

Keep an eye on your gnocchi as it bubbles away – you’ll know it’s ready when it floats to the top of the water, then it’s ready to be served with a sprinkling of fresh basil. 

Squishy and bursting with garlicky goodness, our Tear and Share Cheesy Garlic Dough Balls are so much fun as part of any Italian-inspired spread. While the filling might not look or taste slimming friendly, we’ve made our garlic ‘butter’ with reduced-fat spread.

Add a drizzle on top of this pull-apart, cheese-filled side and you can’t taste the difference!

A red serving board sits on a blue tiled background with Pinch of Nom's Tear and Share Cheesy Garlic Dough Balls on top. One of the dough balls has been torn and served on a separate light blue plate, and melty cheese is spilling out.

Morrisons Tomato and Mozzarella Filled Gnocchi is available from Morrisons, priced at £1.85 per pack.

Fridge Raiders Poppers Cheese Nacho – 99 calories per pack

A packet of Fridge Raiders Poppers, featured in the Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calories listed above it (99 calories per pack).

These Fridge Raiders Poppers in Cheese Nacho flavour offer something a little bit different from the usual Fridge Raiders range. Still an ultra convenient, grab-and-go savoury snack, this edition swaps out chunkier chicken bites for crispy, high in protein, cheesy-coated chicken poppers.

Can’t get enough of cheesy flavours? Add our Cheese and Pickle Twists to your tupperware rotation. This batch-friendly bite is so simple to make, it’s impossible to get your ingredients in a ‘twist’.

To save on time and calories, we’ve used ready-to-roll light puff pastry sheets. It’s always a good idea to pop your strips in the fridge before you cut; it’ll make them so much easier to twirl into shape!

A bright yellow serving plate topped with lots of Pinch of Nom's Cheese and Pickle Twists. Some of the twists are spilling out onto the grey tabletop.

Fridge Raiders Poppers Cheese Nacho are available from Tesco, priced at £1.30 per pack.

Morrisons Steam and Serve Golden Vegetable Rice – 181 calories per pouch

A bright yellow packet of Morrisons' Steam and Serve Golden Vegetable rice, featured in the Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calories listed above it (181 calories per pouch).

Anything that makes life easier is a win in our book, so we couldn’t leave Morrisons’ Steam and Serve Golden Vegetable Rice on the shelf. A brightly-coloured medley of basmati rice with sweetcorn, peas, onions and red peppers, each pouch is ready to serve after just 3 minutes in the microwave.

You could always spoon a serving onto a plate of Tandoori Salmon with Mango Salsa. This vibrant spicy fish dish adds so much nourishing, curry-inspired flavour to your midweek menu, and it’s nice and light at only 355 calories per serving.

A throwback that never gets old, turn to pages 110-111 of our second cookbook, Pinch of Nom: Everyday Light for the full recipe.

A spoon is drizzling salsa on top of Pinch of Nom's Tandoori Salmon with Mango Salsa. The salmon is plated up with tenderstem broccoli on a yellow tabletop.

Morrisons Steam and Serve Golden Vegetable Rice is available from Morrisons, priced at £2.25 for 4 individual servings.

Belmont White Chocolate Covered Cookies and Cream Biscuits – 104 calories per biscuit

A blue box of Aldi's cookies and cream white chocolate covered biscuits, featured in the Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calories listed above it (104 calories per biscuit).

A cup of tea with a biscuit is an instant mood boost, and we just knew these Belmont White Chocolate Covered Cookies and Cream Biscuits would bring us oodles of joy. Coated in a layer of smooth, indulgent white chocolate, these chocolatey biccies have an Oreo-inspired creamy centre.

If white chocolate is a bit rich for you, don’t worry! Aldi has a milk chocolate covered version you can pick up instead (at 105 calories per biscuit).

We’re such big fans of cookies and cream as a flavour combo, our scrumptious Cookies and Cream Cheesecake is the perfect tribute.

Just like all of the recipes in the ‘Quick Prep’ chapter of Express, it’s super quick to put together (luscious crushed chocolate biscuit base included!). Turn to pages 212-213 to give it a go!

Pinch of Noms's Cookies and Cream Cheesecake on an ornate blue and white plate.

Belmont White Chocolate Covered Cookies and Cream Biscuits are available from Aldi, priced at £1.65 for a pack of 12 (split into 6 packs of 2).

Birds Eye Seasoned Potato Bites – 222 calories per 12 potato bites

A bag of Birds Eye Seasoned Potatoes from Iceland, featured in the Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calories listed above it (222 calories per 12 potato bites).

Level up your freezer with Birds Eye Seasoned Potato Bites, courtesy of Iceland. They’ll go from frozen to golden in less than 15 or less than 25 minutes, depending on whether you pop them in the oven or air fryer.

Infused with smoky paprika, fiery chilli powder, garlic and dried onion, these dainty taters can hold their own as a light, potato-based snack, or as a fakeaway-night side dish.

With mildly spicy flavours, they’d complement our KFC Zinger Burger Fakeaway nicely. Inspired by The Colonel’s infamous secret recipe, we’ve recreated our own version using a surprise ingredient for our burger coating: crushed-up Doritos!

There’s no deep fat fryer involved in our recipe. Simply pop them in the oven until they’re ready to enjoy with a light salad, or an array of burger-night treats.

Two Pinch of Nom KFC Zinger Burgers piled high with mayo, lettuce and tomato in burger buns. Tomato ketchup is served in a small bowl to the side.

Birds Eye Seasoned Potato Bites are available from Morrisons, priced at £2.75 per bag.

Iceland Breaded Sweet Chilli Chicken Breast Fillets – 315 calories per fillet with sauce

A black box with a red banner for breaded sweet chilli chicken breast fillets from Iceland, featured in the Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calories listed above it (315 calories per fillet with sauce).

If a sweet-yet-spicy dish is your takeaway-night order, you’ll appreciate Iceland’s Breaded Sweet Chilli Chicken Breast Fillets. The breasts are already coated in a crunchy layer of breadcrumbs, so all that’s left for you to do is cook them through, and drizzle with the provided sachet of sticky sweet chilli sauce.

Next time you’ve got a hankering for spicy flavours, rustle up our Cheesy Chilli Pizza. While the home-baked Naan bread base takes a bit of extra effort to prepare and prove, the results are so worth it.

Our tomatoey base is infused with chilli, and we’ve even added a drizzle of sweet chilli on top, so this one’s not for the faint of heart!

Pinch of Nom's Cheesy Chilli Pizza plated up on a light blue serving board on top of a red gingham table cloth; slices have already been cut by a pink pizza cutter, and there's extra sweet chilli dip on the side.

Iceland Breaded Sweet Chilli Chicken Breast Fillets are available from Iceland, priced at £4.50.

Dessert Menu Protein Pancakes – 384 calories per pancake stack

A square packet of Aldi's dessert menu protein pancakes with a photograph of a pancake on the front, featured in the Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calories listed above it (384 calories per pancake stack).

It’s hard to go anywhere at the moment without seeing the word ‘protein’. Aldi’s no exception, with its Dessert Menu Protein Pancakes catching our eye this week.

A full stack of filling, fluffy pancakes comes in at 384 calories, with 20 grams of protein per serving. That means you can either start or end your day with a flippin’ delicious meal that’ll leave you feeling full and satisfied.

Since Aldi’s stack is ready to eat, all you need to worry about is choosing the right toppings. Why not take inspiration from our Banana and Chocolate Pancakes recipe?

To keep things far lighter than you’d think, we’ve coupled banana slices with a chocolatey drizzle using smooth, jarred spread and a low-sugar teaspoon of Choc Shot.

Two pancakes are served on a bright yellow plate, they're covered in banana slices, strawberries and drizzled with chocolate next to a frothy coffee in a yellow mug.

Dessert Menu Protein Pancakes are available from Aldi, priced at £1.70 for a pack of 4.

REMINDER Aldi Super 6 Fruit and Veg Selection

A white square image with a teal blue border, featuring the fruit and veg from Aldi's latest Super 6 selection. From left to right, there's swede, cabbage, kiwis, oranges, Chantenay carrots and lychees, all with the price tag in front of them in a teal blue circle. Swede is 49p, cabbage is 49, kiwis are 69p, oranges are 69p, Chantenay carrots are 49p, lychees are 69p.

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 our reminder of this week’s Super 6 selection:

  • Swede – 38 calories per 100g
  • Savoy cabbage – 27 calories per 100g
  • Lychees – 81 calories per 100g
  • Kiwis – 61 calories per 100g
  • Oranges – 47 calories per 100g
  • Chantenay carrots – 35 calories per 100g

**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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