Your Slimming Essentials – The Weekly Pinch of Shopping 26.07.24
It’s finally Friday! Let’s celebrate with a brand-new Weekly Pinch of Shopping…this week it’s jam-packed with slimming-friendly snacks, light bites and bits to make busy days easier!
We’re SO excited to try the Strawberries and Cream flavoured popcorn that we’ve found this week. Nothing says summer like fruity, sweet berries, and it’s impossible to resist the satisfying crunch of popcorn when you need something to nibble!
Plus, Asda has a whole new ‘Exceptional’ range of seasonal favourites, including these Pork Sausage Rolls that you can enjoy fresh from the oven, for just 166 calories each.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for ALL the amazing photos you’ve been sharing from PINCH OF NOM: AIR FRYER! There are SO many delicious-looking dishes over in our Facebook group, and we’re just over the moon that you’re all loving the book as much as we do.
If you don’t have your own copy yet, or you can’t decide what to make first, go to our blog to see what everyone else has been making!
You can join the air-frying fun by picking up a copy just 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! The members in our incredible Facebook group are always happy to have a good old chat about lots of these shopping items. You can join the group by clicking here.
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. There’s a fresh selection this week, so scroll down to find out what’s included, along with some ideas on how to make the most of the ingredients.
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**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!**
Tesco Strawberries & Cream Flavour Popcorn – 124 calories per 1/4 bag
We’ve seen a few interesting flavours of popcorn popping up recently, and this new Strawberries and Cream Flavour Popcorn from Tesco caught our eye this week. Based on the classic British summertime snack of juicy, fresh strawberries served with cream, it’s the perfect flavour to crunch in the sunshine!
The special ‘butterfly’ popcorn has a more open shape than traditional kernels, which is better for catching the sweet seasoning. That’s more irresistible flavour in every bite!
It’s hard to beat light, crispy popcorn when you’re snacking in front of a film, but we’ve got plenty of ideas for slimming-friendly alternatives in this handy roundup. It’s no surprise that you’ll find our Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries on the list – they’re dreamy little bites with a delicious crushed biscuit topping.
Tesco Strawberries & Cream Flavour Popcorn is available from Tesco, priced at £1.20.
Veetee Japanese Togarashi Spicy Sticky Rice – 80 calories per serving
Microwavable rice is always handy to have in the cupboard when you need a side dish in a hurry! This Veetee Japanese Togarashi Spicy Sticky Rice comes packed with fiery flavour, for just 80 calories per serving.
Pop it in the microwave for 2 minutes, or stir-fry it with your choice of meat and veggies. With a tastebud-tingling combination of fruity citrus, nutty sesame, fragrant ginger and hot chillies, it’ll spice up dinner times!
We’ll be serving ours with the Baked Teriyaki Tofu from Pinch of Nom: Budget. You can throw in any veggies you like (just don’t forget to press the tofu before cooking, to remove excess moisture).
Veetee Japanese Togarashi Spicy Sticky Rice is available from Morrisons, priced at £1.40.
Munchmallow Strawberry Tea Cakes – 89 calories per tea cake
Who doesn’t love a tea cake? With a crunchy biscuit base, squishy marshmallow topping, jammy centre and white chocolate casing, these Munchmallow Strawberry Tea Cakes taste like such a treat.
The good news is that they’re only 89 calories each, so you can pop on the kettle and sit down with one (or two!) after your dinner.
Speaking of sweet treats to enjoy with a cuppa, our Cream Tea Scones bake to golden perfection in just 10 minutes. Instead of high-calorie clotted cream, we’ve made a velvety topping from fat-free yoghurt and icing sugar, keeping our recipe to just 93 calories per serving.
Munchmallow Strawberry Tea Cakes are available from Iceland, priced at £1.00 for a pack of 6.
Old El Paso Mexi Popped Chips Chili – 94 calories per 21g portion
Whether you’re planning a Mexican-inspired fakeaway night or simply looking for a new savoury snack, nip to Tesco for a bag of these Chili-flavoured Old El Paso Mexi Popped Chips.
Lighter than tortilla chips, the crispy snacks have a wavy shape that makes them ideal for scooping up dips. They have a chilli rating of 1, so they’re not too fiery, but there’s also a sea salt version in the range, if that’s more your flavour!
Why not serve a handful on the side of our Mexican-Style Crunch Wrap for a tasty, low-calorie lunch? Far less messy than fajitas or burritos, the way we’ve folded these tortilla wraps makes sure you get all those moreish flavours in every last bite.
Old El Paso Mexi Popped Chips Chili are available from Tesco, priced at £2.25.
Albert Bartlett Supreme Salad Potatoes – 115 calories per serving
During the summer months we love to fill our midweek menu with salads and lighter meals. These home-grown Albert Bartlett Supreme Salad Potatoes are the ideal accompaniment to your seasonal meal plan.
This variety of spud is perfect for boiling, steaming and roasting, so they can be cooked to your liking, and dished up on the side of practically any dish.
One thing’s for sure, they’d be just the spud to use for our Potato Salad recipe! Far more slimming-friendly than a shop-bought version, it always comes in handy for buffets, BBQs and picnics!
Albert Bartlett Supreme Salad Potatoes are available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £2.20 for a 1.5kg bag.
Nando’s Peri-Ketchup – 17 calories per serving
If you could eat Nando’s every day, this new Nando’s Peri-Ketchup is an easy way to add a touch of that signature spicy flavour to whatever your heart desires. Just as tomatoey as regular red sauce, this version has a kick of peri-peri heat to liven up chips, chicken, sandwiches, wraps and more.
Don’t worry if you don’t like things super spicy – it’s just a hint of chilli, for a mild spice level. Whether you squeeze it, dip it, or smother it all over your favourite foods, it’ll add a taste of the familiar restaurant flavour.
One of the things we do best is create fakeaway versions of our favourite orders, and this Nando’s Spicy Rice is the perfect example. It’s so much healthier and cheaper than eating out, but we promise it tastes just as good as the real deal!
Nando’s Peri-Ketchup is available from Asda, priced at £2.50.
Bio & Me Cocoa Hazelnut Granola – 236 calories per 60g serving
Give breakfast times a boost with a bowlful of this Bio & Me Cocoa Hazelnut Granola. It’ll get your day off to a cracking start, since it’s packed with protein and high in fibre, with no added sugar.
Chocolatey and delicious, a 60g serving is 236 calories, plus it’s brimming with plant-based ingredients and prebiotics that are linked to good gut health. That should put a spring in your step for the day ahead!
If chocolate for breakfast is right up your street, pencil in this Chocolate French Toast for a weekend treat. Golden and crunchy on the outside, you won’t be able to resist biting through to the melted, nutty chocolate spread centre…
Bio & Me Cocoa Hazelnut Granola is available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £3.95.
Crusha Banana Milkshake Mix No Added Sugar – 98 calories per 200ml (made with semi-skimmed milk)
No one said milkshakes were only for kids! We’ve spotted this Crusha Banana Milkshake Mix No Added Sugar in Morrisons this week, and you can whisk up a glassful for just 98 calories.
For a more grown-up twist, keep your eyes peeled for the other new flavour that’s just been added to the range – the Caramel Latte Mix is also just 94 calories per serving. Whichever one you go for, serve it ice cold for a refreshing way to satisfy your sweet tooth!
If you fancy pushing things a step further, our Biscoff Cookie Milkshake is a whole dessert in a glass. Insanely thick and creamy, you’ll add in a scoop of low-calorie ice cream to make it taste even more luxurious.
Crusha Banana Milkshake Mix No Added Sugar is available from Morrisons, priced at £1.95.
Exceptional by ASDA Pork Sausage Rolls – 166 calories per sausage roll (ovenbaked)
There’s a whole host of ‘Exceptional’ new products on the shelves at Asda, including everything from quiches to mocktails. We’ve popped these Exceptional by ASDA Pork Sausage Rolls at the top of our shopping list, since we can’t resist the sound of succulent pork, wrapped up in flaky all-butter puff pastry.
Suitable for air-frying or baking in the oven, you’ll know they’re ready when they’re piping hot and your kitchen smells like a bakery!
There’s no real pastry and no real meat in our Vegan Sausage Roll recipe, but that doesn’t mean they don’t look and taste the part. A lovely lower-calorie alternative that everyone can enjoy, they’re made from veggie sausages and tortilla wraps – so they work out at only 74 calories each!
Exceptional by ASDA Pork Sausage Rolls are available from Asda, priced at £2.80 for a pack of 4.
Bol Posh Noodles Malaysian Laksa Ramen – 373 calories per pot
When there’s no time to cook, this Bol Posh Noodles Malaysian Laksa Ramen is exactly what you need. After just 3 minutes in the microwave, you’ll be tucking into a wholesome bowl of red and white cabbage, edamame and black turtle beans, leafy greens, carrot and spicy chickpeas, served with oodles of noodles and a creamy Malay-style curry sauce.
You’ll get 2 of your 5-a-day in each vegan-friendly portion, all for well under 400 calories. Pop a pot in your packed lunch if you have a microwave at work, or keep one in the fridge for a fast-track dinner.
We squeezed loads of our speediest recipes into Pinch of Nom: Express, including this 20-minute Green Veg Pasta. It’s so easy to make it vegan too – just swap the cream cheese for a plant-based alternative.
Bol Posh Noodles Malaysian Laksa Ramen is available from Tesco, priced at £3.25 per pot.
NEW Aldi Super 6 Fruit and Veg Selection
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 the rundown of this week’s Super 6 offering, along with some recipe ideas for you.
Little Gem Lettuce – 16 calories per 100g
Crisp and fresh, little gem lettuce is a versatile, leafy ingredient. Slice it, grill it, pan-fry it or use it to scoop up other tasty ingredients –it holds its shape really well, so it works as a ‘cup’ or even as a ‘spoon’!
Drizzled in sauce and layered with salad, transform little gem lettuce into a feast with our Katsu Curry Burgers recipe. You’ll be obsessed with our homemade katsu sauce.
Celery Sticks – 14 calories per 100g
Celery is a versatile vegetable that’s well worth picking up while it’s in the Super 6! It makes for a tasty addition to base sauces, stews and soups – alongside onions and carrots. It’s also great to nibble on dunked into a budget-friendly homemade dip, when you’re feeling peckish.
We cook celery down into the sauce for our Creamy Tomato Pasta to give it a nutritious flavour boost, along with plenty of other tasty veggies.
Cucumber – 15 calories per 100g
From salads to snacking, crunchy, refreshing cucumbers are bound to come in useful! Low in calories and full of goodness, we love to chop cucumbers into slices or sticks to dunk in hummus or our favourite homemade dips.
Try whipping up this easy Chickpea Tikka Dip – it comes together so quickly, and it can be as spicy as you feel like making it!
Bananas – 89 calories per 100g
As a grab-and-go snack, breakfast ingredient or sweet treat, you can’t go wrong with a bunch of bananas in the house.
Grab a few extra bananas while they’re cheaper and don’t worry if you don’t get through them before they start to spoil – overripe bananas are just what you need for this Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips recipe.
Large Vine Tomatoes – 18 calories per 100g
With a deeper flavour than smaller, salad tomatoes, large vine ones can make your midweek meal feel that little bit fancier. They taste amazing when you roast them low and slow, with just a spray of low-calorie cooking spray and some salt and pepper.
Try a few chunks in our bright and colourful Baked Cod Provencal recipe. We love that everything bakes in the oven together to soak up all those lovely flavours…and cut down on the washing-up!
Blueberries – 57 calories per 100g
Blueberries are a superfood, and it’s easy to see why! The sweet little berries pack a punch when it comes to vitamin C and antioxidants.
Sprinkle a few on your breakfast, pair them with yoghurt or bake them into these Lemon and Blueberry Baked Oats. Hearty and filling, these are guaranteed to keep you going all the way through until lunchtime!
**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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