The Weekly Pinch of Shopping: Back to School Edition
We promise we’re not wishing the summer away, but it will be September before you know it. Whether you’ve already started the school uniform shop or you’re someone who just can’t shake that “Back to School” mentality this time of year always brings, this Weekly Pinch of Shopping is all about saving you time in the kitchen so you can readjust for the school year – a mini New Year, as we like to think of it!
We’ve got sweet potato hash browns – because sometimes carbs really are the only thing that’ll get you out of bed in the morning. There are also plenty of snacks for your lunchbox or just when you’re on the go – including mini gingerbread men and protein-packed Babybels (we’ve got sweet AND savoury covered).
And as always, we’ve thrown in a few quick and easy recipes of our own, so you can stay fuelled while re-establishing your routines.
While you’re thinking about meal prep, now would be the perfect time to pre-order our latest book Pinch of Nom: Slow Cooker. It’s full of set-and-forget recipes that’ll simmer away while you power through your to-do list – from hearty stews to healthy fakeaways. And if you place your order ASAP, it’ll be posted through your letterbox on publication day – September 25th.
Tap here or the image below to pre-order and reserve your copy.
Pre-orders are the magic ingredient that help us keep creating the recipes, books, and products you love. You’re not just reserving your copy, you’re giving us a huge boost – and we appreciate it SO much!
Anyway, get ready to bookmark EVERYTHING below…
Sweet Potato Hash Browns – 157 calories per serving
Let’s start with the first meal of the day, shall we? A healthy alternative to traditional hash browns made from regular potatoes, these Strong Roots Sweet Potato Hash Browns are a tasty, satisfying breakfast snack. They’re packed with vitamins and fibre, making them a nutritious choice too. And at just 157 calories per serving, they leave plenty leftover for something on the side.
In fact, they would be perfect for dipping into our Soft Boiled Eggs – ready in just 10 minutes, these are great for when you’re rounding up the kids before school. Or if you want to take them to work for a mid-morning snack, cook your hash browns ahead of time, then reheat them at the office and un-peel your eggs from their shells later on.
Strong Roots Sweet Potato Hash Browns are available from Morrisons, priced at £3.30 per 350g packet.
Click here for our foolproof Soft Boiled Eggs.
Babybel Mini Protein Cheese Snacks – 48 calories per mini
High-protein snacks are great for helping you stay full in-between meals – ideal if you’re calorie-counting. For a convenient and portable way to boost your daily protein intake, make sure you have a stash of these Babybel Mini Protein Cheese Snacks in your fridge. One mini Babybel packs a 5.2 grams of protein – at only 48 calories too! They’re also 100% real cheese, so it’s all natural deliciousness!
For even more protein and a grab-and-go breakfast snack that will tide you over until lunchtime, try our nutritious Breakfast Muffins. We’ve packed a lot into a little here – eggs, bacon, red onion, mushrooms, spinach, and even some cottage cheese. Just one muffin is a whopping 25 grams of protein – more than half of your daily intake!
Babybel Mini Protein Cheese Snacks are available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £2.45 for a packet of 6 – or you just £1.50 with your Nectar Card!
Get even more gains with our breakfast muffins.
Costa Coffee Barista Creations Salted Caramel – 71 calories per serving
Everyone knows it isn’t really autumn until the seasonal drinks start flowing, and this make-at-home Salted Caramel flavoured Costa Coffee Barista Creations powder means you won’t even need to swing by your local coffee shop to get your cosy caramel fix. One tub makes 15 cups, and each cup is just 71 calories.
If you enjoy a sweet treat with your morning coffee, you can spice your mornings up even more with our Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls. We’ve combined two classic baked delicacies so you don’t have to compromise between your favourites – and at just 124 calories per roll, you don’t have to compromise on calories either!
Costa Coffee Barista Creations Salted Caramel is available from Tesco, priced at £5 per 255g tub – or £3.75 with your Clubcard!
Savour a sweet treat with your morning brew
Morrisons Just Beets Fruity Salad Topper – 69 calories per serving
Beetroot is always a good vegetable to have on hand due to its versatility – plus it’s packed with nitrates that improve exercise performance, and rich in fibre to support digestion and support inflammation. Morrisons has come through with this Just Beets Fruity Salad Topper – steam-cooked pickled beets flavoured with hints of mint and fruity notes.
If you’re in need of some inspiration, our Roasted Beetroot and Rosemary Salad comes together in an hour – and only 15 minutes of that is prep time. While the vegetables are roasting, you have 45 minutes to sit back with a book or put everyone’s uniforms on to wash.
Morrisons Just Beets Fruity Salad Topper is available from Morrisons, priced at £1.35 per 180g.
Tesco Finest Pistachio Gelato – 146 calories per serving
Pistachio has had a real moment this year, and it’s clearly not over yet! Made in Italy, this Tesco Finest Pistachio Gelato is a delicious ice cream infused with pistachio nut paste and topped with real roasted pistachio pieces for a satisfying crunch. It’s free from artificial ingredients, suitable for vegetarians, and only 149 calories per serving. An effortless midweek dessert, and a tasty incentive for everyone to finish their vegetables at dinnertime!
If you’re counting calories and want an even lighter frozen nutty dessert, not to brag or anything – but at 148 calories, our Ninja Cream Peanut Butter and Chocolate Ice Cream is one calorie less per serving!
Tesco Finest Pistachio Gelato is available at Tesco, priced at £4.50 per 480ml tub.
Try our chocolatey and nutty ice cream for even less calories.
Fox’s Chocolatey Dubai Style Pistachio – 84 calories per biscuit
Another pistachio product that caught our eye: Fox’s Chocolatey Dubai Style Pistachio biscuits. A milk chocolate marvel packed with pistachios and layered with kunafa (crispy filo pastry), the “Dubai Chocolate Bar” has been doing the rounds on social media for months. Now, it looks like biscuit legends Fox’s have caught on – and we don’t know about you, but we’re certainly looking forward to trying their take on the trend.
If you fall more on the side of the fruit and nut sweet treat spectrum, our Cranberry and Almond Oat Cookies could be just the thing for you. At 272 calories per cookie, they’re slightly more indulgent, but the oats are a good source of fibre and keep you fuller for longer.
Fox’s Chocolatey Dubai Style Pistachio biscuits are available at Tesco, priced at £3 per 130g packet.
Try our Cranberry and Almond Oat Cookies instead.
McVities Mini Gingerbread Men Biscuits Multipack – 88 calories per packet
These McVities Mini Gingerbread Men are the perfect study partner. They’re convenient, satisfying, and just 88 calories per bag – ideal for a quick energy boost in-between essays and revision notes.
Another way to curb your biscuit cravings is by cooking up a batch of these Gingerbread Bites. They’re even lighter at 35 calories a bite – plus, our recipe makes 30, so you can bake a load at the beginning of the week and store them in the fridge for up to three days afterwards. They also don’t have cute faces, so eating them won’t feel like you’re committing a crime!
McVities Mini Gingerbread Men Biscuits are available online from Ocado, priced at £1.25 for a pack of 6.
Learn how to bake your own Gingerbread Bites.
Heinz Tomato Ketchup Sweet Sriracha – 97 calories per 100g
Turn up the heat next time you’re dipping your chicken nuggets with this Heinz Tomato Ketchup Sweet Sriracha – a twist on their classic recipe. This spicy sauce goes well with all sorts of finger foods – from chips to halloumi, and even prawns.
If you’re after some low calorie appetisers that aren’t ultra processed, steer clear of the freezer aisle and try our Chicken Goujons instead – they’re a little more sophisticated than your usual nugget, and much healthier too!
Heinz Tomato Ketchup Sweet Sriracha is available online from Tesco, priced at £3.40 per 100ml bottle.
Dip to your heart’s content with our tasty Chicken Goujons.
Indian Inspired Vegetable Nests – 178 calories per nest
A low-calorie, low in saturated fat Indian-inspired main that cooks in no time at all in your air fryer? We thought that might get your attention! These Aldi Indian-Inspired Vegetable Nests are an aromatic mix of carrot, broccoli, sweet potato, onion, and red pepper, coated in South Asian spices for a tasty kick.
For a slimming-yet-satisfying Indian feast, why not pair these with our Indian-Style Fried Rice and Onion Bhajis? You could halve the rice portions to cut down on calorie content, and the bhajis are only 59 calories each!
Indian Inspired Vegetable Nests are available in Aldi, priced at £1.99 per 200g.
Stock up on sides with our Indian-Style Fried Rice and Onion Bhajis.
Soreen Sticky Toffee Loaf – 153 calories per serving
After school (and work!) snacks help bridge the long gap between lunch and dinner, and we think this Soreen Sticky Toffee Loaf will make for a tasty option. Lightly toast it and add a slather of butter or even some jam.
Banana bread has long been the talk of the town (or our Facebook Group, we should say) – inspiring us to come up with our slimming-friendly Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips. At just 67 calories per slice, it’s less than half the calorie content of this Soreen loaf. Or you can take turns trying both!
Soreen Sticky Toffee Loaf is available in Sainsbury’s, priced at £1.60 per 260g loaf – or it’s even cheaper with your Nectar Card!
Bake your own loaf with our Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips.
Don’t forget – we love seeing what you’re picking up in your weekly shop! Tag us or post in our Facebook group if you spot anything slimming-friendly and tasty that deserves a shoutout.
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REMINDER 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 our reminder of the latest Super 6 selection:
Spring Onion – 32 calories per 100g
Sweetcorn – 86 calories per 100g
Large Vine Tomatoes – 20 calories per 100g
British Salad Potatoes – 80 calories per 100g
Sweet Pointed Peppers – 80 calories per 100g
Remember: We don’t accept payment or gifts to include any of the products above – we just love them, and we hope you will too.