Your Slimming Essentials – The Weekly Pinch of Shopping 22.10
Friday is finally here and that means it’s time for a brand new Weekly Pinch of Shopping! Halloween is creeping up on us and this week we’ve found some spookily good pumpkin soup to warm you up on your lunch break.
Plus, we’ve found some sweet treats that are perfect if you’re trying to avoid tucking into the trick or treat goodies – and they’re just 90 calories! Scroll to find out what they are…
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!**
Pork & Apple Stuffed Boneless British Chicken Thighs – 264 calories per 1/3 of a pack
Looking for a time-saving Sunday roast hack? These Pork & Apple Stuffed Boneless British Chicken Thighs can go straight into the oven. They come with the stuffing already wrapped up in the chicken thighs, so there’s no need to make it separately, which saves on time and mess too!
Made with pork, caramelised red onions and Bramley apples, the stuffing adds so much flavour to the chicken, keeping it juicy as it cooks.
While chicken thighs are not as lean as breast meat, they have a much deeper, richer taste. A third of this pack comes in at 264 calories but it’s worth noting that these thighs have the skin left on. Chicken skin can be delicious when it’s crisped up in the oven, but it does add extra calories, so you may want to remove it before eating.
Add some Roast Potatoes, Garlic Green Beans and one of these Lighter Yorkshire Puddings for an epic roast dinner. Just don’t forget the Gravy! Our recipe makes smooth, thick, glossy gravy every time.
Pork & Apple Stuffed Boneless British Chicken Thighs are available from Asda, priced at £4.00 for a 501g pack.
Morrisons Sticky Toffee Cookies – 107 calories per cookie
Autumn is well underway and we’re ready for cosy nights at home with a cuppa and one of these Morrisons Sticky Toffee Cookies.
Whether you need a mid-afternoon pick-me-up or something sweet to enjoy while you watch The Great British Bake Off on a Tuesday evening, these soft bake cookies are a delight.
Golden and crumbly, they have a rich, gooey toffee sauce in the centre. Best of all, they’re just 107 calories each, so you can stay on plan and still indulge your sweet tooth. Pop the kettle on, settle down and treat yourself!
If the chilly weather has got you craving comforting sweet treats you need to try our Toffee Apple Pies. With Halloween and Bonfire night coming up, these little puddings are perfect for the season ahead, and delicious served with some Custard.
Morrisons Sticky Toffee Cookies are available from Morrisons, priced at £2.00 for a pack of 8 cookies.
Mccain Firecracker Wedges – 184 calories per serving
This one’s for anyone who likes their food super spicy! These Mccain Firecracker Wedges are just as fiery as the name suggests. You can cook them in the oven or pop them in the air fryer if you have one. Either way, they get all crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
We think wedges are the ultimate side dish. Chunkier than chips, they’re so versatile – serve on the side of a burger, with a homemade chilli or on their own for a simple snack. At 184 calories per serving, these spicy wedges are a great way to add instant flavour to a midweek meal. They cook in just 20 minutes too. Winner!
If you think you can handle the heat, why not use these wedges to make our Chilli Cheesy Nachos? Look at all that cheesy goodness! Why have normal nachos when you could make these?
Mccain Firecracker Wedges are available from Morrisons, priced at £1.80 for a 650g bag.
Haagen-Dazs Cosy Cocktail Collection Ice Cream Minicups – 228 calories per minicup
Boozy ice cream with a seasonal twist? Now we’re talking! These Haagen-Dazs Cosy Cocktail Collection Ice Cream Minicups are a grown-up treat in perfectly portioned serving sizes.
What will you go for first – rum salted caramel and biscuit or Irish whiskey and chocolate waffle flavour? Made with real spirits, these cosy cocktail inspired ice creams are velvety and luxurious, with just enough of a boozy kick to warm you up on a chilly evening.
Delicious enjoyed on their own, imagine a scoop of these on top of a hot dessert. If you’ve been busy pumpkin picking and carving, why not use up any leftover pumpkin to make this gorgeous Pumpkin Pie? Serve it fresh from the oven with a scoop of ice cream for the ultimate autumn pud!
Haagen-Dazs Cosy Cocktail Collection Ice Cream Minicups are available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £4.20 for a pack of 4.
Strong Roots The Pumpkin & Spinach Burger – 224 calories per burger
For days when time isn’t on your side, it’s always handy to have something in the freezer that you can throw in the oven for dinner. These Strong Roots The Pumpkin & Spinach Burgers cook from frozen – they’re so convenient and full of goodness too.
Whether you’re vegan or not, you’ll love the blend of pumpkin, spinach and mixed vegetables coated in puffed quinoa. These veggie burgers are high in fibre, low in fat and full of flavour, with a slightly sweet taste.
You could serve them in a bun or on their own with some wedges and a side salad for a quick, easy meal that’s wholesome and slimming friendly.
It’s the time of year for all things pumpkin, so why not enjoy our take on a Pumpkin Spice Latte while your burger’s cooking? It uses real pumpkin for the best ever flavour.
Strong Roots The Pumpkin & Spinach Burger is available from Ocado, priced at £2.95 for a pack of 4.
The Coconut Collaborative Peanut Butter Chocolate Cups – 212 calories per pot
It’s hard to believe that these creamy, indulgent desserts are 100% plant based. The Coconut Collaborative Peanut Butter Chocolate Cups are totally vegan, gluten free and dairy free.
Chocolate and peanut butter is one of those flavour combinations that never fails – and these little pudding pots are no exception. Rich, sweet and nutty, they’re perfect for when your sweet tooth kicks in. With only 212 calories in each pot, you can enjoy one after a meal, or any time you’re craving chocolate.
If you can’t resist this dreamy flavour combo you absolutely HAVE to try our Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars. They’ve got it all – rich and chocolatey, with a crispy, crunchy bite to them.
The Coconut Collaborative Peanut Butter Chocolate Cups are available from Tesco, priced at £2.50 for a pack of 2.
Monin Sugar Free Caramel Syrup – 19 calories per 100ml
This Monin Sugar Free Caramel Syrup is so versatile. You can put it in your coffee, in your cocktails and even in your baking!
It’s sugar free and super low in calories, meaning you can indulge in rich, buttery tasting caramel flavour, even if you’re following one of the popular diet plans such as Weight Watchers.
You only need to add one part syrup to eight parts liquid, so a little goes a long way. Once opened, the bottle will keep for three months if it’s stored away properly in a cupboard, so you’ll be able to use this time and time again to give your sweet treats a caramelised twist.
If you go crazy for anything caramel you’ll love these Banana and Caramel Filo Rolls. They’re even served with a caramel dipping sauce…so yummy.
Monin Sugar Free Caramel Syrup is available from Ocado, priced at £3.00 for a 250ml bottle.
M&S Seasonal Greens with Herb Butter Frozen – 77 calories per serving
If you find your fresh green veg goes off before you have a chance to get through it all, these M&S Seasonal Greens with Herb Butter are going to save you so much waste! Keep a bag in the freezer and you’ll always have some veggies handy to serve with every meal.
The mixture of green cabbage, savoy cabbage and spinach comes in an aromatic herb-infused butter that adds extra flavour and richness, all for just 77 calories per serving.
You can pan fry it from frozen, or pop it in the microwave if you’re in a hurry. Simple, tasty and a great way to make sure you eat your greens!
Have you tried our Creamed Cabbage and Leeks? Mildly cheesy and savoury with black pepper, this dish is delicious served with a roast.
M&S Seasonal Greens with Herb Butter Frozen is available from Ocado, priced at £2.00 for a 500g bag.
Oreo Mini Spooky Bags – 90 calories per bag
The spooky season is creeping up on us – it’ll be Halloween before we know it! If you’re already getting into the ghoulish spirit of this time of year, you’ll need to stock up on some trick or treat goodies!
These Oreo Mini Spooky Bags are ideal if you want to make sure you have a few slimming friendly snacks around your (haunted) house. The packaging has been given a spooky makeover, but inside you’ll find the same delicious Oreo cookies we all know and love. These mini versions go down a fright – and they’re less than 100 calories per bag.
If you’re planning for a spook-tacular Halloween this year, try making these Boonanas with the kids. Their ghostly little faces are spookily cute! You can find lots more inspo in our Halloween Recipe Round-up.
Oreo Mini Spooky Bags are available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £1.00 for a pack of 8 mini bags.
Baxters Pumpkin & Sweet Potato Soup – 168 calories per pot
When it’s grey and cold outside, you need something warm and full of flavour for lunch. This Baxters Pumpkin & Sweet Potato Soup is a cheery bowl of seasonal goodness.
It counts as one of your five a day, it’s low in fat, gluten free and just 168 calories. Made with pumpkin and sweet potato, it’s naturally rich and buttery, with warming spices including ginger, turmeric and cumin. Food doesn’t get much more comforting than this! Pop it in the microwave for three minutes and you’ll have a lunch that’ll warm you up and leave you with a big smile on your face. SO good!
If you want to make the most of this season’s vegetables, why not give this Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Mash a try? You can switch out the squash for pumpkin if you have lots of leftovers from pumpkin carving!
Baxters Pumpkin & Sweet Potato Soup is available from Ocado, priced at £2.00 for a 350g pot.
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:
Brown Onions – 40 calories per 100g
There are so many recipes that start with a good handful of chopped onions. This staple vegetable adds savoury flavour to a huge range of dishes, and it’s useful for everything from gravy and soup to stews, casseroles and curries.
Often used as a background flavour, not many recipes put the onion in the spotlight. These Cheese and Onion Pasties celebrate the dreamy flavour combo and they’re so easy to make too – perfect for lunch.
Mango – 60 calories per 100g
Juicy and exotic, mangoes are more versatile than you might think. They’re great sliced and packed up for an on-the-go healthy snack, but you can also use them to make everything from salads to desserts.
You’ve probably never tried cooking mango, but it adds so much flavour to this Turkey and Mango Curry. Hearty and warming, it’s ideal for this time of year.
Baking Potatoes – 63 calories per 100g
We’re always happy to see the humble spud included in the Super 6! When you’re trying to eat healthy, filling meals without breaking the bank, potatoes come in handy every time. These baking potatoes are a good size, making them useful for jacket spuds, chips, wedges, mash – pretty much any recipe that calls for potatoes!
We’re already dreaming of a Sunday roast so we’ll be making these Roast Potatoes with ours!
White Mushrooms – 22 calories per 100g
Mushrooms can be a bit like marmite – it seems people either love them or hate them! We think they’re delicious and so slimming friendly. They can be added into lots of recipes for an extra boost of veggie goodness, or turned into a flavourful side dish.
If you’re looking for something comforting and delicious to make this week, how about this Mushroom and Spinach Lasagne? We’ve used large flat mushrooms in this recipe, but these white mushrooms would work just as well.
Mixed Squash – 40 calories per 100g
It’s squash season and we’re ready to fully embrace the sweet, nutty flavours of all the different squash varieties on offer right now! It’s hard to beat the simplicity of squash that’s chopped up, seasoned and roasted in the oven until golden and caramelised.
Follow the steps in this Butternut Squash Roasties recipe to turn your mixed squash into a tasty side dish – or you could blend up the roasted squash with some stock to turn it into a glossy, thick soup.
Royal Gala Apples – 52 calories per 100g
Sweet and crunchy, an apple a day is a surefire way to get more vitamins into your diet. You can chop them up and dip slices into peanut butter for a nutritious afternoon snack, or transform them into your favourite autumnal desserts like crumbles and strudels.
We love ours chopped into this refreshing Chicken Waldorf Salad. With sweet apple, crunchy celery and rich walnuts, it’s a classic salad that packs a flavour punch!
**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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