Your Slimming Essentials – The Weekly Pinch of Shopping 19.02
In this week’s Weekly Pinch of Shopping, we’ve tracked down some products that might sound unusual at first, but we promise that they’re so tasty, you HAVE to try them!
Does anyone else think hot cross buns are a signal to spring getting nearer?
They are for us, and we can’t wait to say goodbye to the colder weather!
It feels fitting this week to include some cheese and Marmite hot cross buns that could be your new favourite breakfast, especially if you enjoy them alongside a cup of tea that tastes exactly like toast and jam. Trust us, it works!
If Marmite isn’t your thing then why not tuck into a bowl of crunchy fibre-packed bran cereal instead?
Perfect when served with some Soft Boiled Eggs or a couple of slices of Chocolate French Toast? YES please!
We’ve also found a slimming friendly drink that’s full of freshness, a great money saving offer on ripe mangoes, and a couple of light lunch and snack options for those days when you just don’t fancy a larger meal.
Plus, it might not be summer yet but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy strawberries and cream flavoured gelato and mochi balls for a super indulgent, yet low calorie dessert that reminds us of sunny days!
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 second 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!**
Sainsbury’s Mango, Ripe & Ready – 61 calories per 100g
Mangoes have such a fresh, vibrant flavour and they’re one of our favourite fruits, but we definitely don’t love waiting for them to ripen.
These mangoes from Sainsbury’s are ripe and ready to use which means that you can use them straight away!
An 80g serving of mango counts as 1 of your 5 a day and with 61 calories per 100g, it’s slimming friendly too.
This means that you can enjoy all of the natural sweetness of the fruit, without having to worry about extra calories – perfect if you have a bit of a sweet tooth!
Mango is super versatile and can be enjoyed at any time of day, whether that’s with some Greek yoghurt and granola for breakfast, in a fruit salad as a snack, or alongside some ice cream for a tasty dessert.
It also makes a delicious salsa which we use in our recipe for Pork Carnitas with Pineapple and Mango Salsa and adds a burst of freshness to our Coronation Turkey.
These Sainsbury’s mangoes are currently on offer with a saving of 50p for £1.20 (normally £1.70).
M&S Marmite 4 Cheese Hot Cross Buns – 187 calories per bun
These M&S Marmite 4 Cheese Hot Cross Buns remind us that spring will soon be just around the corner!
Spring means only one thing: hot cross buns are back, but this time with a twist!
With the unmistakable Marmite taste and added Cheddar and Red Leicester cheeses, these hot cross buns pack a flavour punch.
Soft and moist, they’re a great alternative to plain hot cross buns for breakfast.
They also freeze really well so are handy to have in the freezer for convenience.
They’re substantial enough to enjoy for breakfast, toasted with a spread of reduced fat butter, and each bun is only 187 calories.
If you’re looking for more breakfast inspiration, our Tiramisu Overnight Oats are quick and simple, and can be prepared the night before.
M&S Marmite 4 Cheese Hot Cross Buns are available for £1.65
Little Moons Strawberries & Cream Mochi Ice Cream – 83 calories per mochi ball
If you’ve never had mochi before, then get ready to have your mind blown!
These Little Moons Strawberries & Cream Mochi Ice Cream bites are deliciously indulgent, yet low on calories.
Each ball has a creamy gelato wrapped in soft mochi dough and is flavoured with the classic combo of strawberries and cream.
Perfect for picnics, snacks, or as a tasty dessert, as the gelato contains hardly any air, they need to be taken out of the freezer 5 minutes before you’re ready to enjoy them.
Letting them soften for 5 minutes is well worth it as it helps to boost the flavours.
If strawberries and cream aren’t your thing, then these Little Moons Mochi Ice Cream bites are also available in yuzu lemon flavour.
Try one on top of a slice or our Strawberry Pancake Traybake!
You can find these Little Moons Strawberries & Cream Mochi Ice Cream in Ocado for £4.50 a box.
President Goats Cheese Cubes – 216 calories per 100g
We love goats cheese because it has such a strong flavour that you don’t need to use much at all!
These President Goats Cheese Cubes take out all of the fuss as they’re already sliced into handy cubes and pre-portioned.
You can use them in any way you fancy: sprinkled on salads, mixed into pasta or even crushed on top of crackers.
Why not keep some in the fridge for those times you need a quick sandwich filler or jacket potato topper?
You could try it in place of Feta in our Courgette Ribbon, Lemon and Feta Salad.
Pick up a 300g pot of President Goats Cheese Cubes from Tesco and Waitrose for £2.25
Weetabix Crunchy Bran Cereal – 140 calories per serving
Did you see that Weetabix recently caused a stir on the internet with their ‘beans on bix’ breakfast idea? We’re not suggesting anyone pours baked beans on their Weetabix just yet, but this new cereal is certainly one to try!
Weetabix Crunchy Bran Cereal takes the high fibre and low fat breakfast we know, and turns it into a crunchy cereal that’s delicious with ice cold milk.
It’s fortified with extra vitamins and folic acid so it’s an ideal family friendly choice. Not only that, it’s only 141 calories per bowl.
Try it with fruit: raspberries and blueberries work well, or try with a large dollop of fat free yoghurt for a change. You could also try using a milk alternative to mix up your morning routine, like an almond milk or hazelnut milk. We can’t promise you’ll enjoy topping it with baked beans though!
If you’re finding yourself craving cereal with a little more sweetness, try our Marshmallow Bars!
Weetabix Crunchy Bran Cereal is available at most supermarkets for £2.30 per 375g box.
Taylors of Harrogate Yorkshire Tea Toast & Jam Brew Tea Bags
A cup of tea and a freshly toasted slice of bread smothered in strawberry jam is a speedy breakfast on busy days. But have you ever tried them together?
Taylors of Harrogate Yorkshire Tea Toast & Jam Brew Tea Bags do exactly that: combine the traditional Yorkshire Tea flavour with the recognisable sweetness of a slice of jam on toast!
Don’t ask us how it works, but it really does!
This tea is slightly stronger than your usual morning tea bag but leaves you perked up and ready for the day ahead.
We’ve also seen a Biscuit Brew from Yorkshire Tea that’s equally as delicious.
Perfect when you need a sweet fix to keep you going until lunch time, or you could enjoy a steaming cup of this tea alongside a filling Breakfast Bake!
If you’re feeling extra ‘jammy’, rustle up some Jammie Dodger French Toast from our Quick & Easy Cookbook.
We’ve spotted boxes of 40 Taylors of Harrogate Yorkshire Tea Toast & Jam Brew Tea Bags for £1.50 in most supermarkets.
Fridge Raiders Katsu Chicken Snack Bites, Limited Edition – 188 calories per pack
If you’re looking for a midafternoon snack that will keep you satisfied until dinner, then these Fridge Raiders Katsu Chicken Snack Bites, Limited Edition are just the thing.
Made with 100% seasoned chicken breast, each bag contains 18g of protein and 188 calories and they’re perfect for grabbing straight from the fridge and enjoying as a snack or as part of your lunch.
If you love katsu flavours as much as we do, then make sure to check out our Loaded Katsu Curry Fries and our Katsu Chicken Curry.
Or, if you like the idea of a bite size chicken snack, but aren’t keen on katsu, then our Chicken Satay Skewers are a fab alternative too!
You can grab these Fridge Raiders Katsu Chicken Snack Bites from Sainsbury’s for £1.60, but you’ll need to be quick as they’re limited edition!
Sainsbury’s Be Good To Yourself Caramelised Onion Houmous – 77 calories per ¼ pot
This Sainsbury’s Be Good To Yourself Caramelised Onion Houmous is not only full of delicious flavour, but it’s low on calories too.
With 77 calories per ¼ pot serving, this Sainsbury’s Be Good To Yourself Caramelised Onion Houmous has 30% less fat than the standard caramelised houmous from Sainsbury’s which makes it a definite slimming essential in our opinion.
It’s also suitable for vegan diets and is perfect when served for a quick lunch alongside some vegetable crudites, breadsticks, or a slice of freshly baked bread.
If you have a few extra minutes to spare, then why not make your own version with our Caramelised Onion Hummus recipe?
You can get this Sainsbury’s Be Good To Yourself Caramelised Onion Houmous from Sainsbury’s for £1.20 per pot.
Innocent Bubbles Orange and Lime – 93 calories per can
These delicious cans of Innocent Bubbles Orange and Lime are just the ticket when you’re looking for something fruity and refreshing!
Containing the juice of mandarins and tangy blood oranges mixed with sparkling spring water and a touch of lime, we love how simple these drinks are.
They’re suitable for vegans, and contain only natural sugars which makes them an ideal addition to any basket of slimming essentials.
Have a can on hand for your next movie night or instead of alcohol if you’re looking to cut down on calories.
They’d also go well in a boozy punch, such as in place of the soda water in our Elderflower Gin Fizz!
Grab a 330ml can of Innocent Bubbles Orange and Lime from Ocado and Tesco for £1.45.
Tofoo Co Crispy Original Chunkies – 239 calories per ½ pack
These Tofoo Co Crispy Original Chunkies are fantastic if you’re bored of eating the same old, bland tofu.
Handmade tofu chunks coated in crispy, golden breadcrumbs, these Chunkies are suitable for vegans and completely organic too.
They’re perfect when served in a sandwich at lunchtime along with a smear or tartare sauce and a handful of salad, or as an alternative to fish alongside some Chunky Chips and peas.
Or, why not serve them with our Parmentier Potatoes and Garlic Green Beans for a dinner that feels extra special and posh with hardly any fuss?
You can pick up these Tofoo Co Crispy Original Chunkies from Sainsburys for £2.25 a box.
REMINDER Aldi Super 6 Fruit and Veg Selection
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.
Here’s a reminder of this fortnight’s Super 6 selection!
- Unwaxed Lemons – 17 calories per fruit
- Blueberries – 57 calories per 100g
- Asparagus tips – 25 calories per 100g
- Baking potatoes – 63 calories per medium potato
- Vine-ripened sweet tomatoes – 17 calories per 100g
- Chestnut Mushrooms – 22 calories per 100g
For some meal inspiration, take a look at last week’s article!
**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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