Your Slimming Essentials – The Weekly Pinch of Shopping 29.03.24

Six of the products from the Weekly Pinch of Shopping in a rectangular grid format. The top row features McCain's Air Fryer Fries, Volvic Strawberry Sparkling Water and Tesco's Peach and Yoghurt Lollies. The bottom row features Tempura Chicken Chunks, Candy Floss Iced Gems and Cathedral City Cheese Balls There is a logo at the centre of the image with The Weekly Pinch of Shopping in bold letters.

We blinked and March is almost over! Get comfy for a bank holiday edition of The Weekly Pinch of Shopping, filled with fakeaway treats to enjoy over the long weekend. 

Whatever you’ve got planned for Easter, there’s always room to fit in a fakeaway feast. Luckily, there are lots of new bits at the supermarkets to try, including these McCain Air Fryer Quick and Crispy French Fries that cook in just 5 minutes! Who needs a trip to the drive-through when those are in the freezer?!

If you need some ideas for easy midweek lunches, we’ve got you covered too. From a fresh, creamy new soup, to this Spicy Kung Pao Udon Noodle Bowl, we’ve added a few convenient, low-calorie options onto the list. 

There are NO WORDS for how excited we are that our most-requested cookbook ever, PINCH OF NOM: AIR FRYER, is finally happening!! We’re still overwhelmed by your reaction on Instagram and in our Facebook group and we just have to say THANK YOU SO MUCH if you’ve already pre-ordered your copy.

Your lovely comments are the reason we do what we do! We can’t wait for all 75 scrummy, slimming-friendly air fryer recipes to be with you on the 20th of June (pre-order a copy here!). 

You can learn more about our first-ever air fryer cookbook by clicking here.

A banner advertising that Pinch of Nom: Air Fryer is available to pre-order, with text that reads 'IT'S FRY-NALLY HERE!' and 'OUT JUNE 20TH!'.

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 an egg-stra special Easter Super 7 this week, so scroll down to find out what’s included, along with some ideas on how to make the most of the ingredients.

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!**

Sun Hee Spicy Kung Pao Udon Noodle Bowl – 372 calories per bowl

Sun Hee Spicy Kung Pao Udon Noodle Bowl, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calorie count printed above (371 calories per bowl).

When you need a lunch option that’s under 400 calories, and ready almost right away, a hearty bowl of noodles always ticks the boxes. This Sun Hee Spicy Kung Pao Udon Noodle Bowl that we spotted at Tesco is no exception, especially since the 372-calorie portion is ready to eat after just 2 minutes in the microwave. 

A fakeaway-flavoured treat for the middle of the day, the Korean-inspired Udon noodles come packaged with a spicy kung pao sauce sachet, dehydrated vegetables and roasted sesame seeds.

A big batch of our Beef and Broccoli Noodle Bowls is another shortcut to a tasty, quick lunch. Save any leftover beef and broccoli mixture, to serve reheated with a fresh nest of noodles on a busy midweek midday. It tastes just like a takeaway, and it’s just 269 calories per serving!

Pinch of Nom's Beef and Broccoli Noodle Bowls are served in takeaway-style foil containers, with red wooden chopsticks. Extra spring onions and dipping sauce are in small pots nearby.

Sun Hee Spicy Kung Pao Udon Noodle Bowl is available from Tesco, priced at £2.00. 

Volvic Touch of Strawberry Sparkling – 2 calories per serving

Volvic Touch of Strawberry Sparkling, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calorie count printed above (2 calories per serving).

Fizzy, fresh and fruity, these new cans of Volvic Touch of Strawberry Sparkling Water are here just in time for spring (now we just need a bit of sunshine to enjoy them with!). Also available in a mango flavour, these refreshing drinks are sugar free, and only 2 calories per can. 

Perfect for on-the-go hydration, the British spring water is light, bubbly and delicious sipped alongside your lunch. 

Why not go for a double whammy of strawberry sweetness, and serve our Strawberry and Feta Salad one day next week? It’s ready in just 3 simple steps, with a combination of fruity and tangy flavours that’ll be a treat for your taste buds!

Two plates of Pinch of Nom's Strawberry and Feta Salad are served on a table covered with a bright pink cloth. The vibrant green salad is covered with slices of fresh strawberries, crumbled feta cheese and a drizzle of balsamic dressing. Extra dressing waits in a yellow pot between the two plates.

Volvic Touch of Strawberry Sparkling is available from Asda, priced at £1.15 per can. 

Nem Viet Vietnamese Spring Roll Kit – 117 calories per 1/4 pack

Nem Viet Vietnamese Spring Roll Kit, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calorie count printed above (117 calories per 1/4 pack).

Keep your eyes peeled next time you pop into your local Aldi – these Nem Viet Vietnamese Spring Roll Kits are only around while stocks last. Claiming to go from pouch to plate in just 15 minutes, they’re a must-try for fakeaway night.

The kit includes the rice papers and dipping sauce, so you’ll just need to pick up some lettuce, and whatever fillings you want to put inside. Meat, prawns or veggies will all work well!

Speaking of Vietnamese-inspired flavours that are ready in a flash, have you tried our Chicken and Pickled Veg Baguettes yet? Based on a dish called Banh Mi, our crusty baguettes are filled with tender sliced chicken and crunchy, pickled vegetables. They’re a winning combo of sweet, salty and sour flavours! 

Four Chicken and Pickled Veg Baguettes are served; 3 on a green chopping board, one is plated up on a small plate. The individual-sized baguettes are filled with marinated chicken and pickled vegetables.

Nem Viet Vietnamese Spring Roll Kit is available from Aldi, priced at £2.49.

McVitie’s Iced Gems Candy Floss Flavour – 92 calories per bag

McVitie's Iced Gems Candy Floss Flavour, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calorie count printed above (92 calories per bag).

We love to make sure our cupboard is stocked with less-than-100-calorie snacks for when we’re feeling peckish. These limited edition McVitie’s Iced Gems Candy Floss Flavour are definitely going on our shopping list this week! 

At 92 calories per bag, these biscuit-y bites are an ideal little treat for your sweet tooth – and they’ll remind you of your childhood too! 

If that’s got you in the mood for another nostalgic recipe, you need to make a batch of our FABulous Lollies this weekend. Just like the retro lollies you can buy, they taste amazing rain or shine, thanks to a juicy strawberry layer, creamy almond milk layer and a chocolate topping, complete with those all-important sprinkles. 

Three FABulous Lollies are set vertically on a pink background. Each one has a layer of milky white, above a layer of juicy red ice lolly, and they're topped with milk chocolate, covered in sprinkles.

McVitie’s Iced Gems Candy Floss Flavour are available from Iceland, priced at £1.00 for a pack of 5 bags. 

Sainsbury’s Petits Pois & Creme Fraiche Soup – 100 calories per 1/2 can

Sainsbury's Petits Pois & Creme Fraiche Soup, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calorie count printed above (100 calories per 1/2 can).

There’s something about this Sainsbury’s Petits Pois and Creme Fraiche Soup that just screams springtime! Made from a blend of sweet petits pois, spearmint and lemon, melted together with creamy crème fraîche, it’s vibrant and velvety. 

At just 100 calories for half a can, it’s exactly what you want for a light lunch, served with a sandwich or a simple wholemeal bread roll to mop up every last drop. 

For a homemade bowl of green goodness, it’s impossible to beat our Cream of Spinach and Rocket Soup. A doddle to make, it’s really easy to adjust the peppery flavour, depending on how much rocket you add into the mix. 

A bowl of Pinch of Nom's Cream of Spinach and Rocket Soup has been ladled from a large pan. The soup is a vibrant shade of green, served with a garnish of fresh rocket and cracked black pepper.

Sainsbury’s Petits Pois & Creme Fraiche Soup is available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £1.60 per can. 

Cathedral City Our Cheddar Cheese Flavoured Cheese Balls – 128 calories per 1/5 pack

Cathedral City Our Cheddar Cheese Flavoured Cheese Balls, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calorie count printed above (128 calories per 1/5 pack).

This one’s for the savoury snackers! We’ve spotted these new Cathedral City Our Cheddar Cheese Flavoured Cheese Balls in Iceland this week, and they look too tasty to miss. Flavoured with the brand’s signature mature cheddar cheese, the potato and maize balls will add a crunch to lunchtime!

A 24g serving (⅕th of the pack) is only 128 calories, so it’s not too much of an indulgence if you can’t resist the mouthwatering cheesiness. 

It’s no secret that we love a cheesy recipe, and this Cheese, Onion and Potato Pie is one of our favourites for a low-hassle midweek meal. It’s classic comfort food, and yet our slimming-friendly recipe works out at only 286 calories per portion. 

A oven dish filled with Pinch of Nom's Cheese, Onion and Potato Pie sits on top of a wire cooling rack. A serving spoon is resting on the rack, and a portion has been removed from the top right corner of the pie. Crisp, golden filo pastry is around the edges, and the cheesy filling looks gooey and inviting.

Cathedral City Our Cheddar Cheese Flavoured Cheese Balls are available from Iceland, priced at £1.50. 

Goldenfry Smooth & Rich Onion Gravy Granules – 31 calories per 100ml (made up as directed)

Goldenfry Smooth & Rich Onion Gravy Granules, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calorie count printed above (31 calories per 100ml).

Stock up your store cupboard for your next roast dinner, stew or casserole by adding these Goldenfry Smooth and Rich Onion Gravy Granules to your basket this week. The vegan-friendly instant granules mix with boiling water to make a luxurious, oniony sauce in seconds. 

Imagine pouring it over bangers and mash for a hearty, delicious dinner at the end of a busy day. 

We’ll be smothering it all over a serving of slimming-friendly Toad in the Hole as a nice change from a Sunday roast. Crispy yorkshire pudding and juicy sausages is always a good idea! 

A small rectangular oven dish is filled with Pinch of Nom's slimming-friendly Toad in the Hole. The Yorkshire pudding is golden and crisp at the edges, and four juicy sausages are nestled in the middle. A bowl of fresh vegetables are nearby, ready for serving

Goldenfry Smooth & Rich Onion Gravy Granules are available from Asda, priced at £2.25. 

Moy Park Fakeaway Tempura Chicken Chunks – 311 calories per 1/2 pack

Moy Park Fakeaway Tempura Chicken Chunks, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calorie count printed above (311 calories per 1/2 pack).

There’s a whole new range of frozen fakeaway bits on the shelves at Asda, and these Moy Park Fakeaway Tempura Chicken Chunks are the most slimming-friendly pick of the bunch. Made with 100% British chicken, in a crispy, light batter, you can oven-bake or air-fry half the pack for 311 calories. 

Depending on what kind of fakeaway night you’re in the mood for, you could pair these with the air fryer fries that you’ll find a bit further down this article, or how about a side of Nando’s Spicy Rice? It’s on the table in half an hour, and it honestly tastes just as good as the real thing!

A colourful portion of Pinch of Nom's Nando's Spicy Rice is served in a bright bowl with a spoon waiting to tuck in.

Moy Park Fakeaway Tempura Chicken Chunks are available from Asda, priced at £3.00. 

Tesco Peach & Yoghurt Swirled Lollies – 46 calories per ice cream

Tesco Peach & Yoghurt Swirled Lollies, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calorie count printed above (46 calories per ice cream).

The supermarkets are already starting to stock up for summer, and there are loads of new ice creams, lollies and other frozen goodies at Tesco. We’ve picked out these Tesco Peach and Yoghurt Swirled Lollies, since they sound delicious, and come in at just 46 calories each. 

Fruity and creamy in equal measure, they’re a gorgeous little after-dinner sweetener. Keep your eyes peeled for Strawberry and Yoghurt Swirled Lollies in the same range…

If you’re crazy for juicy peaches, our Peach and Blueberry Tart deserves a spot on your meal plan next week. Ready-rolled pastry keeps things nice and fuss-free, and a sweetened cream cheese topping makes everything taste far more indulgent than it really is (less than 200 calories per slice!). 

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.

Tesco Peach & Yoghurt Swirled Lollies are available from Tesco, priced at £1.60 for a pack of 4. 

McCain Air Fryer Quick & Crispy French Fries – 243 calories per 100g

McCain Air Fryer Quick & Crispy French Fries, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with the calorie count printed above (243 calories per 100g).

When it comes to your air fryer, it works its magic best when potatoes are involved! From roasties to chips, air fryers deliver the crispiest spuds around, so it’s no surprise that McCain has brought out these Air Fryer Quick and Crispy French Fries. 

They’re not kidding when they say these are quick! Pop them in at 200°C, and in just 5 minutes they’ll be crisped up to perfection and ready to serve with just about anything!

Double-up on air-fried deliciousness and make our brand-new Air Fryer Crispy Fish Burgers to go with your fries. This recipe takes the humble fish finger butty to the next level, with crunchy-coated fish fillets, rocket and mayo served inside a fluffy bread roll. 

Two of Pinch of Nom's Crispy Fish Burgers are piled high on colourful plates with tartare sauce, crispy-coated cod fillets and rocket.

McCain Air Fryer Quick & Crispy French Fries are available from Iceland, priced at £3.75. 

NEW Aldi Super 7 Fruit and Veg Selection

The fruit and veg selection from Aldi's Super 7, alongside their prices, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping.

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. 

This week it’s a special Super 7 for the Easter bank holiday, and everything is just 15p! Here’s the rundown of this week’s Super 7 offering, along with some recipe ideas for you.

White potatoes – 92 calories per 100g

White Potatoes from Aldi's Super 6 selection, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with calories above (92 calories per 100g).

A staple ingredient for all kinds of recipes, you can always rustle something up for dinner when you have a bag of spuds in the house. These white potatoes will do the job nicely, whether you’re boiling them, baking them, turning them into chips or making mash. 

Try something a bit different on your Sunday dinner and serve up our new Stilton Roast Potatoes recipe. The strong nuttiness of the cheese is perfect for adding a flavour-boosting twist!

Pinch of Nom's Stilton Roast Potatoes are fresh from the oven, on a silver baking tray. The potatoes are golden and crispy at the edges, covered with melted Stilton cheese, sliced spring onions and finely chopped parsley.

Large garlic – 5 calories per clove 

Garlic from Aldi's Super 6 selection, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with calories above (5 calories per clove).

Speaking of flavour-boosters, it’s rare that we make a meal that doesn’t use at least a little bit of garlic. Always worth having on hand, it’s one of the main ingredients in the base of so many different dishes. 

If you really want to let it shine, make our Creamy Garlic Chicken for dinner this week. It’s one of our most popular recipes ever, and once you try it, you’ll understand why. 

Pinch of Nom's Creamy Garlic Chicken is ready in a large pan with a bright red handle; it's already topped with a light dusting of paprika, but there is extra paprika in a small bowl to the side, waiting to to be sprinkled over.

Carrots – 41 calories per 100g

Carrots from Aldi's Super 6 selection, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with calories above (41 calories per 100g).

Add a crunch to your meals with a few carrots thrown into the mix. From salads and stir-fries to a good old Sunday roast, there’s always space on your plate for a carrot or two. Grab a bag while they’re included in the Super 7, and turn them into these Carrots with Honey and Orange, to go with your Easter dinner. 

Sweet and sticky, they’re perfect for a special occasion, and light enough to enjoy any time of the year. 

Pinch of Nom's Carrots with Honey and Orange recipe is served on a blue and white patterned plate. The carrots have been finely sliced and cooked in a sweet, sticky glaze. The honey and orange juice dressing is pooling below the carrots, and they're garnished with fresh green herbs.

 

Swede – 38 calories per 100g

Swede from Aldi's Super 6 selection, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with calories above (38 calories per 100g).

As soon as we spot swede in the Super 6, we get the urge to make our Vegetable Coconut Curry. The tender chunks pair so well with the flavours of coconut, chilli and lime! A surprisingly versatile root veg that’s yummy in soups and stews, it’s also great as a side dish mashed-up with carrots, or with potatoes for a comforting gratin. 

Two portions of Pinch of Nom's Vegetable Coconut Curry are served on a blue tabletop in a large white, striped bowl and on a pink plate. There's a fork to the side ready to dig in.

Brown onions – 40 calories per 100g

Brown Onions from Aldi's Super 6 selection, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with calories above (40 calories per 100g).

Brown onions are the key ingredient behind countless kitchen classics. With a strong flavour, brown onions are especially yummy paired with cheese. For a quick, warming lunchtime bite, why not slice them up and bundle them into our Cheese and Onion Pasties?

There’s no pastry in sight here – just oven-baked, crispy, low-calorie tortilla wraps!

One of Pinch of Nom's Cheese and Onion Pasties served in a bright blue plate, sliced in half with the filling of mashed potatoes, cheese and onion spilling out.

White/Red cabbage – 31 calories per 100g

Cabbage from Aldi's Super 6 selection, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with calories above (30 calories per 100g).

Cabbage is an underrated vegetable that’s more versatile than you might think! Aldi have included both red and white cabbages in the Super 7 this week, and either kind can be boiled or steamed to go with your Easter dinner. 

Better yet, pick up a white one and shred it to make this Buffalo Coleslaw to enjoy on fakeaway night! 

Pinch of Nom's slimming-friendly Buffalo Coleslaw is ready to eat, served on a large white serving platter. The platter sits on a table, covered with a stripy tablecloth. A yellow-handled fork is placed on top of the coleslaw, ready to scoop up the finely shredded vegetables.

Rosemary – 4 calories per sprig

Rosemary from Aldi's Super 6 selection, featured in Pinch of Nom's Weekly Pinch of Shopping with calories above (4 calories per sprig).

It’s not often we see herbs as part of the Super 6 (or Super 7!) offer! The perfect seasoning for Easter, this aromatic, fragrant herb brings out the best flavour when it’s paired with lamb. 

It’s no surprise that we’ve buddied the two ingredients together for our Lamb Steaks with Redcurrant and Rosemary Gravy – and it works a treat!

A place setting with Pinch of Nom's Lamb Steaks with Redcurrant and Rosemary Gravy plated up on a pink speckled placemat with a golden knife and fork set.

**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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