Your Slimming Essentials – The Weekly Pinch of Shopping 23.04
In this week’s Weekly Pinch of Shopping, we’ve found some indulgent, slimming-friendly snacks, including some rich chocolate pots and Jaffa Cakes bars (but not as you know them!).
The M&S Classic, Colin the Caterpillar, has been in the news this week after taking on Cuthbert the alleged caterpillar imposter. We’ve included these delicious Colin the Caterpillar Button Biscuits that are the perfect snacking essential at only 110 calories each. The only light-hearted argument you’ll find here will be who gets the last one!
We’re also sharing some ultra-convenient soft pittasthat are (thank the heavens) pre-sliced, and some chargrilled chicken that’s full of the flavours of one of our favourite restaurants. Why not try them with a dollop of the extra-spicy hot sauce we’ve found, if you’re brave enough?
Round off the chargrilled summer vibes with a cooling cola ice lolly that’s perfect for an afternoon sitting outside, enjoying the warmer weather.
We also have a brand new Aldi Super 6 this week. Aldi discounts a selection of fresh fruit and vegetables every fortnight, so we give you the rundown and inspiration to make the most of these budget ingredients.
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.
Encona Scotch Bonnet Extra Hot Pepper Sauce – 21 calories per 100g
Do you ever add hot pepper sauce to your meals and it’s still not quite enough heat for you? This Encona Scotch Bonnet Extra Hot Pepper Sauce will certainly blow away the cobwebs!
Super-hot and not for the faint of heart, this sauce can be used for drizzling, dipping and adding into meals for an extra kick. Hot pepper sauce adds a huge amount of flavour for very little calories; this one is 21 calories for a whopping 100g so it’s a firm slimming essential for us!
Many of our Fakeaway recipes call for a little hot pepper sauce and this one is ideal to keep handy in the cupboard. Our Crispy Chilli Beef can be spiced up as much as you like by using this extra hot sauce.
Tesco and Ocado stock this Encona Scotch Bonnet Extra Hot Pepper Sauce for around £1.50 per bottle.
Calippo Cola Ice Lollies – 93 calories per lolly
As the weather starts to heat up and lockdown is easing, we can start to be hopeful about meeting up outside and enjoying the sunshine together! These Calippo Cola Ice Lollies are the perfect addition to picnics, garden parties or simply as a cooling treat at any time of year.
With a sweet cola flavour and free from artificial colours and flavourings, these ice lollies are convenient and mess-free, with the distinctive push-up tube that’s been a Calippo staple for as long as we can remember.
They’re also gluten free and suitable for vegetarians, It’s worth having a box in the freezer for easy access when you fancy a refreshing, summery treat!
Cola isn’t just suitable for drinking and in ice lollies, did you know you can also use it in cooking? Using cola in our Diet Coke/Pepsi Max Chicken may sound a little odd, but it’s SO good!
Calippo Cola Ice Lollies can be found at most supermarkets for £1.50 per box of five.
Warburtons Easy to Fill Soft Pittas – 155 calories per pitta
We’ve all been there: trying to slice a pitta bread and ending up with holes everywhere and an uneven cut. It’s harder than it looks! These Warburtons Easy to Fill Soft Pittas solve that problem because they are already sliced and ready to fill, so there’s no risk of accidentally cutting a hole; you have a guaranteed perfect pitta pocket every time.
We’re all about convenience without compromising on calories, so these fit that description perfectly! The pittas come in both white and wholemeal variety so you can also opt for the wholemeal to boost that fibre filling power.
Stuff with fresh salad and your favourite filling, from tuna mayo to Chicken Gyros kebabs. These pittas are quick and simple. Why not leave them on the table ready to grab and fill at dinner time?
Pick up a 5-pack of Warburtons Easy to Fill Soft Pittas at Tesco and Asda for £1.50.
Jaffa Cakes Blackcurrant Flavour Bars – 93 calories per bar
Jaffa Cakes are instantly recognisable for their sweet orange filling, but these cake bars have a surprising twist! Jaffa Cakes Blackcurrant Flavour Bars are filled with a sweet berry layer that makes a delicious change.
Perfect for packed lunches and popping in your bag for a cake fix, these individually wrapped bars are light and spongy and coated with rich dark chocolate.
They’re also free from artificial colours and flavours, and suitable for a veggie diet.
If you’re craving a more traditional Jaffa Cake, try our slimming friendly version:
Jaffa Cakes Blackcurrant Flavour Bars can be found in Tesco and Sainsbury’s for £1 per pack
Jacob’s Mini Cheddars Sticks – 116 per 25g serving
There Jacob’s Mini Cheddars Sticks are SO moreish! They’re not the usual round Mini Cheddars biscuits but more like mini breadsticks that pack a flavour punch.
They come in Tangy Cheddar Cheese and a meaty Cheddar and Steak flavours, and both are deliciously savoury and perfect for snacking. We think they’d work well on a buffet table or shared on movie night. Try alongside a big sharing bowl of BLT Pasta Salad for a light dinner with added crunch!
It costs £1.99 for a 150g back of Jacob’s Mini Cheddars Sticks from most supermarkets.
The Coconut Collaborative Chocolate Little Pots – 100 calories per pot
Looking for something to satisfy the chocolate craving? The Coconut Collaborative Chocolate Little Pots are just the ticket; rich and indulgent, it’s hard to believe each pot of deliciousness is only 100 calories!
These little pots of chocolate heaven are made with coconut cream so they’re naturally dairy and gluten free.
We’ve seen them in divine Salted Caramel and Praline & Chocolate flavours, with each of them coming in at 122 calories or less. Enjoy a pot after dinner as a delectable dessert, scooped over a slice of Chocolate Cake with Salted Caramel Cream, or even melted into a bedtime hot chocolate!
We’ve found The Coconut Collaborative Chocolate Little Pots at most supermarkets for £2.50 per pack of four.;
LEON Coconut & Zesty Kaffir Lime British Chargrilled Chicken Thigh Pieces – 168 calories per pack
If you’re a fan of LEON restaurant coconut and lime chicken, now you can enjoy all the taste at home with these LEON Coconut & Zesty Kaffir Lime British Chargrilled Chicken Thigh Pieces.
Whether you’re slicing up for a sandwich or serving over freshly boiled rice and steamed veggies, this chicken is a great no-prep way of enjoying the healthy, fresh flavours of lime and coconut without even leaving the house!
It’s high in protein to keep you feeling satisfied, with a chargrilled edge that works well in so many dishes. These succulent chicken thigh pieces are also gluten free.
Serve hot alongside Garlic Green Beans for a super easy meal in minutes.
A 180g pack of LEON Coconut & Zesty Kaffir Lime British Chargrilled Chicken Thigh Pieces costs £2.70 from Sainsbury’s.
M&S Colin the Caterpillar Button Biscuits – 110 calories per biscuit
Colin the Caterpillar is a cornerstone of British culture; haven’t we all had a Colin the Caterpillar cake as a birthday cake at some point? Despite the controversy you may have seen online this week between M&S and rivals Aldi, we will always love Colin and his deliciously chocolatey flavour!
M&S Colin the Caterpillar Button Biscuits are another tasty offering from the range that we think is worthy of a spot in your slimming essentials basket. At only 110 calories per biscuit, these crunchy biscuits have a smooth white chocolate filling and sprinkled with sweet sugary decorations.
Not only do they taste great, but they look amazing when served alongside a hot drink in your favourite mug. Ssssh, don’t tell Cuthbert!
Try with a Pumpkin Spiced Latte for a creamy coffee break:
M&S Colin the Caterpillar Button Biscuits are available in stores for £1 per 5-pack.
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.
Want first access to our Weekly Pinch of Shopping articles? Make sure that you’re subscribed to our newsletter as we’ll be letting our email subscribers know that a new list has been published before anyone else.
You can sign up for our newsletter here.
**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!**
NEW 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 our rundown of this fortnight’s selection and some meal inspiration to give you some ideas on how to make the most of the Super 6!
Oranges – 47 calories per 100g
Zesty and fresh, we love keeping oranges in our fruit basket for easy snacking! You can also use oranges to add a burst of sweetness to savoury dishes too, and it works particularly well with ham or gammon, like our Ginger and Orange Glazed Ham.
Asparagus Tips – 25 calories per 100g
Asparagus is packed full of nutrients and can be grilled or baked as a simple green vegetable side. It also adds extra crunch and texture to salads, like our Avocado, Asparagus, Soya Bean and Bacon Salad.
Salad Potatoes – 75 calories per 100g
Potatoes are a classic go-to side dish as they’re versatile, tasty and budget friendly. We like to serve them cold in Potato Salad, or boiled until soft alongside Chilli and Lime Baked Salmon.
Snack Pack Grapes – 67 calories per 100g
If you find yourself reaching for sugary snacks, try having a snack pack of grapes on hand instead! They’re fresh and juicy, and can satisfy the sweet craving without compromising on calories. Try tossed in a Very Green Zingy Kale Salad for a refreshing lunch:
Royal Gala Apples – 53 calories per 100g
Apples are in season and can be used in a variety of ways. You can use them in salads, for simple snacking or our favourite: dessert! Try in a hot Apple Strudel that’s wrapped in a surprising ingredient with no buttery pastry in sight.
Seasonal Pears – 42 calories per 100g
Switch up the apples for pears in our delicious twist on a classic crumble. Our Pear and Ginger Crumble is full of warming spice and goes well with a dollop of low fat yoghurt or hot Custard.
**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!**
Love our Weekly Pinch of Shopping articles? Remember to sign up to our newsletter to get first access to the next one.
And if you’re not already part of our Facebook Group then make sure you join as we love seeing all of the new products that you find – not to mention all of the amazing support and motivation!