UK users - supermarket tips & advice

gponter79

Firstly very sorry to our cousins over the pond but this is really aimed at MFP users in the UK.

I'm sure we all spend enough time in the Tesco, Asda, Aldi & Sainsburys etc close to our homes but do you have any really good tips or finds that you always pick up because they really work for you. I'm looking for anything that you think is worth sharing from, best bread, pasta, snacks, dinners, drinks, whatever comes to mind.

Quite often i will buy a Boots shapers meal deal for lunch. (chicken wrap, apple & grape, diet coke) for £3 and it will come to about 350 cals. It's just right for my lunch snack and is not very bulky.

melville88

A few supermarket gems I've found over the course of my weight-loss:

Nimble wholemeal bread ( <50 cals/slice)
Extra Light Mayonnaise
Weetabix Oaty Bars (57 cals, 6 grams of fibre, 1 gram fat)
Alpen Light Choc and Fudge bars (63 cals, 5 grams of fibre, 1g fat (less than 1 I think- soooo delicious!)
0.75% milk (can't tell the difference between this and semi skimmed milk)
Extra Light cheese triangles (I use these instead of normal cheese in things like omelettes and for fajitas etc)


Just a few things that I get quite regularly and I was surprised about how low cal, low fat and tasty they were. I also love smoked salmon and extra light cream cheese on bread or toast as a snack- it is to die for!

MouthyMatthewCHANGED

One of my best finds has been I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Light.

I tried a lot of the lower-calorie spreads and many of them were tasteless muck, but ICBINBL tastes just as good as any of the full-fat or high-calorie spreads

gailosborne

Hello, coming back later to do this - great idea!!

lilmissy2

Tesco has some really delicious sausages - the 'lighter choices' ones that are only 150cal for 2 sausages!! I'll post some more when I'm not getting ready for work

Rudie

My best tip is to get it all delivered! I get a Saino's order delivered on a Tuesday night and it costs £3.50. It's the biggest diet (and money) saver ever - no temptations, I only get exactly what I need. I generally spend about £55 for two of us for a week (inc delivery). Last week I went in myself and did my shop - £88!!!!!!

Apart from that, the products I always have in are the low fat philadelphia-type (but own brand) cheese with garlic and herbs - it makes a lovely creamy sauce for pasta (with a couple of tablespoons of water or stock), with ham or vegetables or chicken. Also always have Sainos 3% fat Greek style yogurt, Sainos basics salsa (in a jar, about 80p and a lifesaver with vegetable crudites), and Sainos basics crisps (small bags at less than 100 cals each).

jodieunited

Tesco has some really delicious sausages - the 'lighter choices' ones that are only 150cal for 2 sausages!! I'll post some more when I'm not getting ready for work

these are nice! also light choice ready meals,taste great and the cals are already counted!!

Natalie43

I love Kellogg's Special K Mini Breaks, 98 cal per bag and the mini boxes of raisins you can buy that are about 40 cal, for those sugar hits.

Stasha83

This is such a great idea for a post, looking forward to all the replies

p1nkpr1ncess

This is a great post!

I love the Alpen Light Summer Fruits bars at the moment, only 61 cals and a good "sweet" fix. I've also been snacking on Light Mini Babybels - 40 cals each and I pair it with a few carrot sticks and a hard boiled egg for a 150 cals filling snack!

My other half also LOVES his mince so I get the Extra Lean Minced Beef from either Asda or Tesco as it has very little fat and less calories
-x-x-

lilmissy2

Ok so, now that I have some more time... Boy could I use some advice on this topic! I miss being an expert shopper in Australia!!

Some things I have found:

I generally think British bread is disgusting (it's just a lot more dense and thicker than in Aust) but Hovis seed sensations is pretty good, quite high cal but keeps me full for ages and usually only need one slice

Reduced fat cheese is also not good here (I know, I'm too fussy!!) but I like the leerdhammer lightlife slices

My fave cereal bar is the choc-mint special K bar but having a lot of trouble finding it in London (previously had it in Scotland)

We buy the Askey's wafers and have a small amount of icecream between 2 wafers after dinner - it's kind of impossible to go over 1 serve doing it that way (still looking for a decent tasting low fat icecream if anyone has suggestions!)

Sainsbury's flavoured couscous makes a good base for a meal

Weight watchers single-serve flavoured tuna cans are very handy for packed lunches oh and also heinz snap-pot baked beans

When we want a treat on the weekend we usually go to sainsbury's or tesco or something and get one of the '2 pack' desserts ie cheesecake slices, eclairs, scones... it's usually about 300cal per serve and it means we aren't tempted to have more than one

Hmm that's all I can think of right now but looking forward to hearing what other people have found

melville88

@lil missy- Low fat ice cream options: ben and jerry's do a few different low fat frozen yoghurt options. The lowest one is cherry garcia, then chocolate fudge brownie and then phish food. It goes 3, 4, 5 grams of fat in each respectively. I also found Walls Cream of Cornish actually isn't that high in fat- can't remember exactly how much is in it but if you check tubs in your local supermarket you might be surprised by what you can get! Also, for a frozen dessert with very very little fat try sorbets- they're packed full with sugar though. xxx

gailosborne

I love the Innocent veg pots, they are really delicious and quite filling and come in at under 350 cals- I take them to work for lunch quite often. I also sometimes use the M&S 'Fuller for Longer' meals when I know I'll be in a rush - they really fill me up!

Will keep thinking - have picked up some good ideas so thanks everyone!!

lilmissy2

@lil missy- Low fat ice cream options: ben and jerry's do a few different low fat frozen yoghurt options. The lowest one is cherry garcia, then chocolate fudge brownie and then phish food. It goes 3, 4, 5 grams of fat in each respectively. I also found Walls Cream of Cornish actually isn't that high in fat- can't remember exactly how much is in it but if you check tubs in your local supermarket you might be surprised by what you can get! Also, for a frozen dessert with very very little fat try sorbets- they're packed full with sugar though. xxx

Thanks! The ben and jerrys is so high in cals though but very delicious. We have been getting the tesco ones with toppings (cant remember the names)... they have similar calories to a low fat one but taste better but obviously still likely high on the fat and saturated fat.

antiadipose

bump!!!!!!

im moving there in 3 months and i keep asking my boyfriend the most pathetic questions like "do u think theyll have zucchini.. eggplant.. apples?!" lol "how about yogurt... any fat free options in ur shops?!"
... i know im freaking out for nothing but i just don't know what to expect! so plzzzzz keep this coming!

gailosborne

bump!!!!!!

im moving there in 3 months and i keep asking my boyfriend the most pathetic questions like "do u think theyll have zucchini.. eggplant.. apples?!" lol "how about yogurt... any fat free options in ur shops?!"
... i know im freaking out for nothing but i just don't know what to expect! so plzzzzz keep this coming!

yes to all these!!!

ClareMolloy

This is a great topic. I shall definitely try some of the snacks you have all been suggesting.
I like Snack a Jacks rice and corn snacks as a replacement for crisps - only 89 calories and less than 2g fat.
I also cut turkey breasts into strips, dip them in Season-All and grill them in the oven. Really tasty hot-or-cold, low in fat and zero carbs.
For low fat ice cream try Carte D'Or Vanilla Light - only 70 calories for 2 scoops and 2g fat. I have found this consistently in Waitrose. Tesco & Sainsburys seem to stock it sporadically.
Cheers!


Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter

erikazj

bump!!!!!!

im moving there in 3 months and i keep asking my boyfriend the most pathetic questions like "do u think theyll have zucchini.. eggplant.. apples?!" lol "how about yogurt... any fat free options in ur shops?!"
... i know im freaking out for nothing but i just don't know what to expect! so plzzzzz keep this coming!

Yes, we have all those:

Zucchini would be labelled as courgettes, eggplant as aubergines, apples are apples! There are some differences, the biggest being there is a lot less sodium and added sugar in foods like bread, compared to in the US.

I quite like the food doctor pitta breads as a bread alternative. I too eat the light babybels - although they're not real cheese. I tend to have 'real' cheese and have a smaller portion. The cathedral city lighter mature cheddar is fine if you want something to melt on top of pasta (30g for less than a 100 cals), ricotta is always low fat, and low calories. Santa Lucia light mozzarella is quite good for homemade pizza. Discovery wholemeal tortillas are 109 cals each. I like Lurpak lighter spreadable, about 58 cals for 10g. I really like Rachel's Dairy yogurts, the full fat ones are completely worth it, bot the low fat ones are nice too. One of the few low fat yogurts that don't have high fructose corn syrup in.

I'll add more as I think of it...

Erika

lilmissy2

Oh yeah, I forgot about the cathedral city light... I like that one too... but only the block version, the slices are yuck which kind of surprised me. I have had carte dor light but fiance is fussy and only likes favloured icecreams... I keep trying to get him to change to low fat, it will be easier once we move back to Aust coz there are loads of flavours of low fat icecream (I think we just have way more space for our supermarkets hehe)

SuzMcH

Fab thread and I will be keeping an eye out for hints and tips.

Ryveta crackerbread. only 18cals a slice and nice with a little extra light cream cheese and salad
Marks and spencer thai beef to chicken dipping wraps - 5 for 50cals. Expensive but a lush low cal treat.
Quavers/Wotsits/Skips any one for under 100cals

My weakness is sugar and I've a real sweet tooth so
Cadbury's light chocolate mousse - only 60cals and a good chocolate taste
Twister mini choc and vanilla ice cream lollies - only 40cals and a real treat for summer

alisonengland

If you are veggie then the Quorn savoury eggs are yummy and only 50 cals each.

Tescos Rough Oat Cakes are also about 50 cals each and they are so rough that it takes about 2 hours to chew and swallow by which time you are exhausted and need a snooze..however I put reduced fat humus or avocado on them and they are fine!

Tescos flame grilled ready cooked chicken chunks are also great if you have some rocket salad and tomatos etc. It takes literally 12 seconds to prepare (can you tell I am not the worlds greatest chef..) and if you throw in a few walnuts, 20g of cheese and a couple of olives lunch is only 200 calories.

I also use the weightwatchers malted bread, 49 cals a slice and very tasty!

gponter79

Well thanks everybody for your feedback so far. I've combined a highlights so far list that i'm putting on my iPhone notes app so next time i'm shopping i can refer to it. Here is what you have been saying: (strange how many ladies offer up good chocolate alternatives! lol)

Weetabix Oaty Bars
Alpen Light Choc and Fudge bars
Kellogg's Special K Mini Breaks
Alpen Light Summer Fruits bars
choc-mint special K bar
Twister mini choc and vanilla ice cream lollies
Carte D'Or Vanilla Light
Cadbury's light chocolate mousse
Snack a Jacks
Ryveta crackerbread
Tescos Rough Oat Cakes

I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Light
low fat philadelphia (for pasta sauce)
cathedral city lighter mature cheese

Tesco sausages 'lighter choices'
Weight watchers tuna
heinz snap-pot baked beans
Quorn savoury eggs
M&S thai beef to chicken dipping wraps

gponter79

Keep the ideas coming please!!!

Ms_Natalie

Although many people criticise healthy eating as being costly and more expensive than general rubbish...I have found this not be the case. I love philadelphia extra light on kallo wholewheat rice cakes...topped with some asda seed and nut mix, cucumber and a sprinkling of salt! mmm!

I am also a fan of the asda salads that are extremely filling...the 210g of prawn salad only contains 210 calories and I struggle to finish it and find the pasta keeps my hunger at bay for a long time.

We occasionally have a weight watchers quiche, with a massive side salad!

I love weight watchers malted danish bread with dry fillings...You cannot put bacon in there (as I found out when I had builders here) as the bread just turns to mush!

The asda snack pots are also great for a quick nutritional fix and state that there are no hidden nasties! I am also loving Belvita breakfast biscuits...although, my other half and I will have half a pack of 4 each and have them as a daily snack...only costing 100 calories and filling us up greatly.

Although asda and the other supermarkets have been criticised for taking custom from smaller shops, I find that they offer a massive range of fruit and veg that can keep your diet exciting and healthy.

What a great thread! This shall become my bible :flowerforyou:

p1nkpr1ncess

Ooooh I thought of a few others!

Hartleys Low Cal Jelly pots - only 3 calories! And fills my need for a pudding if I'm really low on calories left for the day! Yummmm!

Extra Light Laughing Cow Triangles - 20 cals each, pop 2 in a pan with a little bit of milk and half fat grated cheese and a bit of garlic powder = Yummy Pasta sauce for very little cals! I add a bit of chicken and pepper to make it an Alfredo!

Milky Ways - 98 cals each and a good cure for a sweet fix!

Heinz Extra Light Salad Cream - doesn't make me feel guilty having a little bit on my salad when the cals are low!

I will add any more I think of
-x-x-

SoNearSoFar

Put Curly Wurlys in the freezer. AMAZING. Makes them last a lifetime so it definitely curbs the sweet craving.

jodi_bannister

Bump

borisda

My best advice as far as fruit is don't bother with supermarket fruit and go to the green grocers it tastes alot better and is never bland like the stuff you find in the supermarkets. But find a good one and stick to it : ))

ChellieIrish

Ohh I am glad I found this :bigsmile: I'm across the pond in Ireland so I use a lot of these products too :drinker:

As I think of some I will post

I always have a bag of grapes in the freezer they are like boiled sweets when eaten

Frozen Milky ways or Curly Wurlys are great too

Low Low - Spreadable Cheese With Ham @ 108 cals for 50g which can be used for 4 Ryvita Crispbread - Pumpkin Seeds & Oats Whole Grain Rye Crispbread @ 180 cals for 4 topped with a sliced tomato makes a yummy lunchtime snack

Rhubarb cooked in diet 7 up topped with low cal custard makes a nice dessert @ 158 cals

Tuc - Snack Pack - 30% Less Fat @ 150 cals makes a nice snack topped with salad

Tesco Light Choices - Chocolate & Orange Cereal Bars @ 80 cals

Tesco - Reduced Sugar Apricot Jam - 1 tbsp @ 26 cals

Tesco - Crumpets @ 75 cals

For now that is all I can think of lol but I will come back to see what else has been added great idea :flowerforyou:

lilmissy2

Weight watchers bagels - I forget the actual cal count but it was much less than regular bagels, be careful because they dont have a very long expiry date

Devon ambrosia low fat custard cups (the ones in the 4 pack, the individual ones are a bit bigger I think) - about 125cal per cup for a sweet snack or on some fruit as a dessert

M&S Greek salad with couscous and kofta is a delicious ready meal

Keep the ideas coming

SuzMcH

I love the idea of rhubarb cooked in diet 7Up. I'm definantly trying that.
And I'm going to freeze a couple of milky ways and curly wurlys this weekend to satisy my sweet tooth.

A couple of other things I thought of

Boots Shapers red Thai chicken wrap is only 235cals. So a good choice if you want a sandwich but don't want to use a lot of cals.

Aldi do these amazing biscuits called DISCO biscuits. My husband and son love them, chocolate, caramel, wafer and M&M's on top. What's not to love ? But they are only 123cals each. So really not as indulgent as they taste.

Marks and Spencer Count on Us Spicy Chicken and Bean rice salad. It's really filling and only 290cals.