Fab Food Ideas that Won't Damage Your Diet

Limiting what you eat isn’t a bundle of fun for most people, so it’s good to know there are easy ways to get a few treats in without blowing the calorie bank . .

From low cal ice cream, to zero calorie zero sugar condiments, and ready meals. Some food makers are responding with great ideas for people who want convenience and treats without excess cals. Here’s our roundup of the yummy-looking latest.

Breyer Ice Cream

This ice cream is a low cal, high protein treat with just 290-350 cals for a whole tub, depending on the flavour. Yep, you read that right!

A normal 100ml serving is just of vanilla is just 58 calories! To give you some idea as to how low cal this is, a 100ml serving of Ben & Jerry's Vanilla would be 230 cals.

Available in 4 flavours, you can buy Breyer Ice Cream at Asda, Sainsburys, Tesco, Ocado and my local Nisa.

	Per 500ml Tub		Per 100ml Serving
Flavour	Cals	Protein	Cals	Protein
Cookies & Cream	350	20g	70	3.9g
Mint Chip	340	20g	68	4g
Creamy Chocolate	310	20g	62	3.9g
Smooth Vanilla	290	20g	58	4g

Koko Cream Cheese Alternative

This cream cheese is dairy, gluten and soya free but its calcium levels have been matched to semi-skimmed milk.

It’s suitable for vegans, vegetarians and coeliacs and is lower in calories and fat than a full fat dairy cream cheese.

Per serving (30g)	Cals	Fat
Koko Cream Cheese Alternative	59.7	5.6g
Average Cream Cheese	131	14.2g

You can get hold of this cream cheese at Tesco, Sainsburys, Asda, Waitrose and Morrisons. Koko also have other dairy free alternatives including yoghurt, cheese and milk.

Sainsburys Love Your Veg Range

If you’re a vegan, a vegetarian or just looking to get more veg into your diet, this range could be just what you need.

It includes ‘shroomdogs’, ready meals and veggie burgers and they all sound delicious. There are 12 items in the range - some are suitable for vegans; all are suitable for vegetarians.

Looking through the reviews, they all got at least 3 stars and a few got full marks.

Here are some reviews for the two most popular products.

SLYV Vegan Cumberland Shroomdogs

"Absolutely love these sausages. Not a fan of Quorn or ‘fake meat’ generally, but these are just tasty, delicious, excellent. The whole family love them. Well impressed – thank you!" Teri

"PLEASE DO NOT STOP SELLING THESE!" Luize

"Great texture and taste, you wouldn’t know they’re made from mushrooms." Picky Eater

SLYV Mushroom & Spinach Bakes (Not suitable for Vegans)

"Have been a veggie for over 35 years. Recently discovered these and love them. Can taste the ingredients, unlike some other supermarkets’ veggie range." Trish

"This product has made my day. Even meat eaters vie with me for a portion." Jackyj53

"Really delicious combination of flavours and textures. Soft inside, crispy outside. Lovely comfort food." AL65

Products available in the range are:

Product (Per serving)	Cals	Fat	Carbs	Fibre	Protein	F&V
Cheese & Spring Onion Crispbakes	232	10.2g	27g	2.4g	6.9g	0.5
Mushroom & Spinach Bake with Rice & Mature Cheddar	219	8.5g	28.9g	2.8g	5.4g	0.4
Vegan Cumberland Shroomdogs	170	5.4g	18.9g	5.4g	8.8g	0.4
Vegan Caramelised Onion Shroomdogs	166	4.4g	21.9g	2.9g	8.2g	0.4
Sweet Potato Katsu Curry & Rice	688	22g	106.7g	8.9g	11.4g	1.3
Mushroom Stroganoff & Rice	443	11.9g	68.3g	6.7g	12.2g	0.7
Vegan Mix Burger	148	2g	22.8g	6g	6.7g	0.6
Vegan Spiced Cauliflower Burger	160	5.6g	17.1g	6.4g	7.1g	0.8
Chilli Bean No Carne & Rice	419	5.9g	70.1g	14.6g	14g	1.7
Rainbow Veg Stew & Dumplings	354	14.4g	38g	15.3g	10.5g	2.2
Onion Bhajia & Vegetable Keema Masala	401	19.5g	38.7g	13.9g	10.6g	3.1
Macaroni Cheese & Jack Fruit	537	22.3g	58.3g	10.6g	20.6g	0.6

Skinny Food Co

Condiments can really quickly increase the calorie count and the amount of sugar you are consuming in a meal.

The Skinny Food Co has a range of zero calorie, sugar free sauces and syrups. They also have a range of muffins that are 29 calories each and a low cal, low sugar pancake mix.

We got our hands on two sauces and a syrup to try. Here’s what we thought.

Chip Shop Curry Sauce

Rory tried the curry sauce with some chips. He said,

‘The sauce was very fruity with a mild curry taste but the sauce itself is very watery... It’s not curry sauce as I know it but it’s great if you are watching the calories and I would have it again. It’s definitely different.’

Sweet Chilli Sauce

Lewis and I tried the sweet chilli sauce. I had mine with some chips as a dip and enjoyed the little bit of zing. Although I did find it a little thin.

Lewis wasn’t impressed at all. He had it as a dipping sauce with some homemade dumplings. He said,

‘There was no flavour to it, just vinegar and sweetener. It tasted a bit like cheap ketchup – the type of stuff you get 2 litres of for £1 from a cheap shop.’

He said he would rather have nothing than this sauce.

Salted Caramel Syrup

Becki tried the salted caramel syrup and got quite creative with it. She made some flapjacks with it, added it into some homemade rice pudding and tried making a milkshake with it. She also added it into a hot chocolate and made a pre-football match snack for her son with it.

‘The flapjacks were lovely, I had planned to use JUST the syrup but it was a bit runny so used some Golden Syrup too.'

‘The milkshake curdled unfortunately but the syrup mixed in perfectly with the hot chocolate.'

‘The rice pudding worked well. I stirred it in and it sweetened it up without overpowering it.’

George, Becki’s son, had a bagel with peanut butter, banana and salted caramel syrup drizzled over it before a football match. When asked what he thought of it, he said,

‘Epic!’

There are 8 sauces on total including garlic mayo, smokey BBQ and South West.

In the syrup range there are 7 flavours to choose from, including white chocolate, maple syrup and peanut butter.

With the muffins, they come in a bundle of 5 including flavours like chocolate sweet potato, blueberry & chia and lemon drizzle.

You can buy their products directly from them on their website or on Amazon.

 

Aldi’s SlimWell Ready Meal Range

I am a big fan of shopping at Aldi and, although I prefer cooking from scratch, the occasional ready meal can really come to the rescue if you’ve had a busy day.

The range includes sweet potato curry, three bean chilli, cottage pie, Moroccan stew, chicken tikka masala, bolognese ragu and chicken saag.

Product	Cals	Fat	Carbs	Protein
Bolognese Ragu	234	4.5g	18.5g	26.1g
Three Bean & Vegetable Chilli	295	2.5g	42.5g	17g
Sweet Potato Curry	251	3g	33g	11g
Meatballs & Pasta	520	10.4g	65.8g	32.9g
Cottage Pie	320	6g	35.5g	26.5g
Chicken Saag	322	4g	9.3g	58g
Moroccan Vegetable Stew	155	2.5g	23.5g	6g
Chicken Tikka Masala	370	5g	14g	65g
Chicken Chow Mein	405	4g	45g	43g

I normally have a couple of ready meals from the SlimWell range in my freezer and have thoroughly enjoyed the ones I have tried so far (apart from Moroccan Stew – it was way too spicy for me!)

The meatballs and pasta have a nice spicy kick to them and are really tasty. The portion size was decent, it was ready in a jiffy and I felt satisfied after eating them for my dinner.

The chicken tikka masala took a bit more prep as it doesn’t come with a side like rice. That said, it does mean you can have it with whatever you like; a jacket potato, your choice of rice, a naan bread etc. It was tasty and, again, a decent portion.

The cottage pie wasn’t as good, although I would have it again because it is soooo low in calories (320 cals). It has carrot mash on the top that is a little tasteless but the meat is tasty. I normally have it with some lovely steamed veg bringing the total calorie count to just under 400 calories.

The only issue with Aldi is that not all of the stores sell all of the range all of the time. So it can be a bit hit and miss but, in my opinion, the range is worth searching out.

Pudology

These guys make gluten and dairy free puddings that are also suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Their range includes Banoffee Pud, Chocolate Orange Pud, Chocolate Pud and Millionaire’s Pud. These puddings range from 260-290 calories each. However, Pudology have thought long and hard about those of us with a sweet tooth who are trying to watch our weight and have come up with 2 delicious sounding skinny puds.

Their new puddings, Lemon & Yuzu and Chocolate & Raspberry are just 45 and 53 calories respectively. Wahoo!

Here’s the rest of the nutritional info per serving:

Flavour	Cals	Fat	Carbs	Prot
Lemon & Yuzu (per 50g pot)	45	1.6g	7.8g	0.2g
Chocolate & Raspberry (per 50g pot)	53	1.8g	8.5g	0.8g

 

Eat Real

There are 6 new flavours in the Eat Real snack range:

• Chilli Cheese Hummus Chips
• Sour Cream Hummus Chips
• Mango & Mint Lentil Chips
• Paprika Quinoa Chips
• Sweet Chilli Quinoa Chips
• Pizza Inspired Mediterranean Quinoa Corn Puffs

Flavour (per pack)	Cals	Fat	Carbs	Protein
Chilli Cheese	213	10.4g	25.7g	2.9g
Sour Cream	213	10.4g	26.1g	3g
Mango & Mint	190	8.8g	24.2g	3.1g
Paprika	144	6.3g	18.9g	2.3g
Sweet Chilli	143	6.3g	19.9g	2.4g
Mediterranean	212	12.4g	21.9g	2.4g

I regularly buy the Veggie Straws and have them as a snack so I was looking forward to trying these new flavours. I wasn’t 100% sure about the Mango & Mint flavour though.

The guys at Eat Real sent us some samples of the new flavours and, because they are vegan-friendly, I asked our resident vegan and foodie, Sam, to give them a try.

Paprika Quinoa Chips

'These don't have enough flavour but are nice.'

Chilli Cheese Hummus Chips

'These are really nice. Lots of flavour and the shape used is better.'

Mediterranean Quinoa Corn Puffs

'Lots of flavour and texture is good. Just not sure if these worked.'

Becki and Jo both tried this flavour too. They said they were very much like 'baby crisps' with not a lot of flavour and a little 'claggy'.

Sour Cream & Chive Hummus Crisps

These were a hit with the whole office. Everyone thought the flavour was good and a nice texture. Sam said,

'Nice herby flavour and the same shape as the chilli cheese ones, so a good texture.'

Mango & Mint Lentil Chips

Strong mango smell. First you get the mango, then the mint flavour. These are a bit different but I would have them again.'

Sweet Chilli Quinoa Chips

'Not very sweet - just a chilli aftertaste. Good texture but the flavour wasn't quite right.'

You can get Eat Real snacks at all good supermarkets as well as a few local corner shops too.

Barenaked Foods

Dragon’s Den thought the products from this company were worth it and invested.

They produce a range of low carb, low fat, low calorie rice, noodles and spaghetti made with Konjac.

If you want to try the product, you can get them from Morrisons, Sainsburys, Tesco, Waitrose, Holland & Barrett or direct from their website.

Product (per 100g)	Cals	Fat	Carbs	Protein
Noodles	12	0.1g	0.9g	0.3g
Rice	12	0.1g	0.9g	0.3g
Spaghetti	17	0.1g	0.9g	0.3g

Red Chocolate

Yay! A chocolate with up to 45% less calories! My prayers have been answered.

Red Chocolate is available to buy online or through WHSmith and is available in 4 different varieties. The dark versions are the better ones of the four in regards to calories and sugar but all of the flavours are lower calorie and no added sugar. Here's how they stack up:

Flavour (per 50g/½ bar)	Cals	Carbs	Fat	Sugar
Dark	149.5	17g	12.5g	0.9g
Dark Orange & Almond	152.5	17g	13g	0.9g
Milk Hazelnut & Macadamia	191	20.5g	14g	5.1g
Milk Melting Nut Filling	207	22.6g	15.4g	5.3g

At WLR we know that finding nice, interesting, things to eat when you’re trying to lose weight can be challenging enough to send you straight to your old fattening favourites.

There are days when you might look despairingly in the fridge, or flick through your healthy recipe book finding nothing that hits the spot.  Or you may wish you had something different in the cupboard, perhaps longing for a tastier, more satisfying snack than what’s available!

That’s because boredom is beginning to set in.  It comes as no surprise if you’re eating the same meals and snacks every day for weeks on end.

If you’ve worked hard to achieve your new body or you’re on your way to your weight loss goal, then you don’t want to ruin it by including the wrong foods in your diet. Equally you'll want to ring the changes and try some new tastes.

However, sometimes it’s tricky to know what foods are going to work best for you.  To help you add some more interest to your meals and snacks we’ve found eleven new tasty treats which not only taste delicious, they won’t harm your calorie intake as long as you don’t overdo it.  

All of these foods have been tried and tested so you can be sure of flavoursome food that’s kind to your body and won’t pile on the pounds.

Claudi & Fin

These frozen yoghurt lollies look really pretty in pastel pink, orange and yellow and the packaging is really cute! Choose from strawberry, mango or peach and apricot flavours at less than 31 calories each – the perfect treat for a hot summer’s day.

Available at Waitrose, Sainsbury and Morrisons.

Mango Per 55 ml Lolly

Calories	29
Grams of Protein	0.7
Grams of Carbohydrate	3.4
Grams of Fat	1.4
Grams of Fibre	0.1

Peach & Apricot Per 55ml Lolly

Calories	31
Grams of Protein	1.7
Grams of Carbohydrate	3.9
Grams of Fat	1.4
Grams of Fibre	0.1

Strawberry Per 55ml Lolly

Calories	31
Grams of Protein	1.7
Grams of Carbohydrate	3.8
Grams of Fat	1.4
Grams of Fibre	0.1

Bannisters Naked Jacket Potatoes

Simply take a potato from the freezer and pop it in the microwave for around 4 minutes, add a topping and some salad on the side and you’ll have a healthy, low calorie meal ready in about 8 minutes max!

A pack of four potatoes is £1.69 and they’re available from Iceland.

Per potato (not including topping and salad)

Calories	119
Grams of Protein	2.7
Grams of Carbohydrate	23.7
Grams of Fat	0
Grams of Fibre	3.2

Onken Light and Fruity

Onken’s new range, ‘Light and Fruity’, is 0% fat and no added sugar. The passion fruit flavour is a lighter alternative with a real fruity blast of flavour.

Available at Asda in the chiller aisle.

Per 150g serving

Calories	76
Grams of Protein	7.4
Grams of Carbohydrate	9.5
Grams of Fat	0

Ooola Secrets

Great name for these little pots of indulgence as you may want to keep them a secret from the rest of the family! Available in 2 flavours – chocolate raspberry with choc chips and triple chocolate with caramel – these pots of mousse are less than 90 calories a pop.

The perfect sweet hit for dessert. Available at Tesco and through Ocado.

Chocolate Raspberry per pot

Calories	83
Grams of Protein	2.4
Grams of Carbohydrate	11.4
Grams of Fat	2.7

Triple Chocolate per pot

Calories	89
Grams of Protein	3
Grams of Carbohydrate	10.8
Grams of Fat	3.6

Slim Wine

There are quite a few low alcohol wines on the market for people who like a glass or two but are watching their waist lines. There’s not many (if any!) low calorie, full alcohol wines.

Slim Wine is changing all that with their zero sugar, zero carb, vegan friendly, low cal wines that are still 10% proof.

At 137 calories per 250ml glass, these wines definitely won’t break the calorie bank!

They are available online in:

• Slim Red
• Slim White
• Slim Super Sparkling
• Slim Pink Sparkling

Slim Wine were kind enough to send us some bottles to sample. We had the red, white and sparkling.

Slim Red – was reasonable to drink and had a nice aroma. One of the group, a seasoned red wine drinker, said it was a little thin but she would drink it again. Worth a try.

Slim White – A crisp wine that is nice cold.

Slim Super Sparkling – quite fizzy and refreshing. Good to drink on a hot summer’s day.

The inside scoop on these wines is that a major supermarket could soon be stocking them so watch this space!

Wicked Kitchen

Exclusive to Tesco, this vegan range of food includes ready-meals, pizzas and food-to-go.

Developed by Tesco’s executive chef, Derek Sarno, the range is available in 600 stores.

Examples of what’s available are:

Hoi Sin Mushroom Wrap

Calories	385
Grams of Protein	10
Grams of Carbohydrate	60
Grams of Fat	10.2
Grams of Fibre	5.9

Naked Burrito

Calories	473.1
Grams of Protein	17.2
Grams of Carbohydrate	67.2
Grams of Fat	11
Grams of Fibre	18.1

Smokin' Pasta and Maze Ballz

Calories	487.5
Grams of Protein	16.9
Grams of Carbohydrate	67.9
Grams of Fat	13.9
Grams of Fibre	11.6

BBQ Mushroom Pizza

Calories	527.8
Grams of Protein	16.9
Grams of Carbohydrate	77.8
Grams of Fat	14.5
Grams of Fibre	9.3

Ben & Jerry’s

Yep, you read that right! Ben & Jerry’s are on our list. They have created a low calorie ice cream in two delicious flavours!

Hallelujah!

The two flavours are chocolate cookie dough and caramel cookie fix with salted caramel swirl. And at less than 132 cals for two scoops, dessert time (or any time!) just got better!

Chocolate Cookie Dough Per 100ml (2 scoops)

Calories	132
Grams of Protein	2.8
Grams of Carbohydrate	21
Grams of Fat	4.1

Caramel Cookie Fix Per 100ml (2 scoops)

Calories	128
Grams of Protein	2.2
Grams of Carbohydrate	20
Grams of Fat	4.3

TRKG Healthy Living

If you fancy flavoured syrup in your favourite coffee at home, it doesn’t add very many calories (about 16 cals per serving) but wouldn’t it be great if it was less than 1 calorie per serving, reduced sugar and vegan friendly to boot?

TRKG Healthy Living provide exactly that! They supply Jordan’s syrup who also do low calorie cocktail mixers and their own brand syrups – great for bakes, cakes and drinks.

The syrups come in at 1 calorie per 100ml but a squirt in your coffee is only 30ml so less than one calorie for all that gorgeousness!

You can make your coffee incredibly indulgent, without the guilt, with flavours like:

• Peppermint Mocha
• Maple Bourbon Pecan
• English Toffee
• Blueberry
• S’mores
• Salted Dark Chocolate Espresso

The cocktail mixers just need you to add ice and the relevant alcohol. A bit more calorific than the syrups because of the alcohol but, compared to readymade cocktail mixes, it’s vastly reduced.

• Jose Cuero Ready Mixed Margarita 210 cals 150ml
• Jordan’s Margarita Skinny Cocktail Mix and 1 tequila shot 93.4 cals total 125ml

The cocktail mixes are available in:

Mojito

• Skinny mix and alcohol 125ml 93.4 cals
• Readymade 1 can (300ml) 456 cals

Pina Colada

• Skinny mix and alcohol 87.5 cals
• Readymade 1 can (250ml) 257 cals

Margarita

• Skinny mix and alcohol 125ml 93.4 cals
• Readymade 1 can (180ml) 210 cals

Cosmopolitan

• Skinny mix and alcohol 125ml 92.7 cals
• Readymade 200ml can 456

So cocktails could be back on the menu even if you’re trying to lose weight!

Pure Bite Grab & Go Snacks

Pure Bite Grab & Go Snacks from Bite UK were launched September 2017.

You’ll only be able to get your mitts on them by going to www.myvitamins.com or www.musclefood.com for the time being though.

We do have some insider gossip for you. Bite UK is currently in negotiations with an undisclosed supermarket, so watch this space!

Free from gluten, dairy and preservatives, these grab and go snacks are high protein and fibre.

There is a choice between nut clusters, coconut clusters and popped rice clusters.

Two flavours are low in calories.

Flavour	Calories
Blueberry & Cranberry (20g bag)	80
Strawberry & Gojiberry (20g bag)	83

The general consensus for these two flavours was the Blueberry & Cranberry should be avoided. These were very, very sweet and a bit ‘claggy’. Only one of the team said he enjoyed them and would have them again.

The Strawberry & Gojiberry were enjoyed much more by the team. A good strawberry taste, a satisfying crunch and sweet enough to hit the spot. These definitely came top out of the two low calorie offerings.

The rest of the range got a mixed reaction.

Hot & Spicy Nut Clusters 30g Bag 178 cals

• Quite spicy
• A little overpowering
• Nice kick
• Good texture and satisfying

Crunchy Coconut Clusters Coconut & Strawberry 30g Bag 364 cals

• Really high in calories
• Far too sweet
• Reasonably delicate coconut flavour
• Couldn’t taste the strawberry
• Wouldn’t be able to eat too many (Could be a good thing judging by the cals per bag!)

Nut Clusters Almond 30g Bag 168 cals

• A great almond taste
• Satisfying crunch
• Really yummy and a great snack
• Not too sweet
• Satisfying nutty flavour

These snacks are high fibre and protein so could be good for keeping you fuller for longer. However, at £1.49 a bag, a little expensive for adding to your lunch box. Maybe as a special treat once in a while or on heavy training days.

Drink Me Chai Latte

Launched in July 2017, there are two new flavours to choose from – vanilla and spiced.

They are free from gluten, dairy and sugar. Sweetened with a blend of Stevia and natural flavourings.

Flavour	Calories
Spiced, per 15g serving made with water	68
Vanilla, per 15g serving made with water	83

At 68 calories per cup, they may well make a great alternative to your normal Chai Latte.

We tried both flavours in the office. The problem is that none of us drink Chai Latte so we didn’t really have anything to base our taste tests on.

We found both drinks very, very sweet with an overpowering taste of perfume. A definite no from our Latte Drinker, she wouldn’t swap her skinny latte.

If, however, you are a Chai Latte convert, at less than half the calories they could be a great alternative for you.

Waitrose LoveLife Calorie Controlled Range

This supermarket seems to have managed a really well received range of low calorie meals, soups and desserts with a few snacks and even flours thrown in for good measure.

Most of the range has had good reviews and come up with at least 3 stars.

There are:

• 17 meals (lunch or dinner)
• 5 soups and cup a soups
• 14 snacks and food to go
• 3 flours
• 2 breakfast cereals

We’ve picked the items with more than four stars to highlight for you.

Green Thai Chicken Curry with Rice 394 cals per meal

We keep these as a staple lunch time meal. Super quality and filling without loading calories...what more can you want?

Pulled Ham Hock In Mustard Sauce 302 cals per meal

A very handy ready meal when needing something quick. I also freeze them for use when either one of us is going out for a meal and the other needs something just for one.

Celeriac, Spinach, Crème Fraiche & Herb Fresh Soup 105 cals per serving

This was the first time or tried this soup but I thought I'd give it a go as it was on special offer. It was very tasty, was lovely and creamy and didn't taste like a calorie controlled soup in the slightest. I'd definitely buy it again!

Belgian Chocolate Frozen Yoghurt 74 cals per serving

We have bought several tubs of this flavoured yogurt over the last few months and it is very popular as the tub soon empties. An excellent product with a good chocolate flavour and low calories too.

Lightly Salted Reduced Fat Crinkle Cut Crisps 121 per serving

These are super crunchy and just salty enough without that greasy feeling. Love them!

Unsalted Reduced Fat Crinkle Cut Crisps 122 cals per serving

Some excellent meals, desserts and food to go to choose from with some really good reviews. Well done Waitrose!

Feta & Lemon Quinoa Salad 248 cals per meal

Tasty and low in calories, great for a calorie controlled lunch.

Natural Frozen Yoghurt 75 cals per serving

Very nice indeed. Great with fresh or stewed fruit.

Raspberry & Blackberry Frozen Yoghurt 63 cals per serving

A seriously flavourful and delicious frozen yogurt without the calories. If you love summer fruit then this is for you.

Keralan Chicken Biryani 345 cals per meal

I can't believe this is only 345 calories. It is indeed scrumptious. Thank you Waitrose, please keep making more meals like this :)

Harissa Chicken & Tabbouleh Salad 264 cals per meal

I bought the Harissa Chicken Salad for my lunch. It was absolutely delicious and the dressing added a lovely lemony zing.

Special Choice Rice & Wheat Cereal 114 cals per serving (without milk)

I buy this product all the time, even take a box on holiday with me, I love them have even been known to eat them without milk, when I'm feeling a little nibbley. . . mmmm scrummy.

Ugly Water

Three new flavours of Ugly Water have been launched. Zero calorie, carbs and fat, the flavoured fizzy water is now available in:

• Triple Berry
• Orange
• Tropical

We tested the original Lemon & Lime flavour as we couldn’t find the new flavours. It smelt full of promise – very fruity and flavoursome.

However, not one of the team would drink more than a mouthful.

In fact, one team member said the name suited it! She said,

‘I really wanted to enjoy it because I was really thirsty and didn’t have any other colds drinks in the office. It tasted very sour, like diluted vinegar without the acidity.’

At £1.49 a can, our team thought it was very expensive for something that, frankly, just wasn’t nice.

WKD Low Cal Alcopop NKD

WKD has gone NKD with their launch of two low calorie flavours.

• Blueberry & Elderflower
• Lemon & Lime

Both have 95 cals per 275ml bottle and 6.6g of carbs. Alcohol volume is 4%.

We sampled both of these in the office. (it’s a hard job but someone has to do it right?) Don’t worry, because of the low alcohol volume and sharing a bottle between us, we weren’t intoxicated!

The boss really enjoyed the Blueberry & Elderflower flavour. So much so, she took what was left in the bottle to sip throughout the rest of the afternoon.

She’s not normally an alcopop drinker, preferring a good wine or a Bacardi and diet coke on occasion.

However, she said the blueberry flavour made it similar to wine.

The rest of the team weren’t as sold on this flavour. One said the elderflower taste was a little too overpowering.

The Lemon & Lime flavour was a different story!

This was light and refreshing and we felt it could make a great low calorie alternative to the original WKD flavours if you are watching the calories, especially for sunny afternoon drinking.

The cider drinker of the team didn’t concur, but that’s not really surprising eh?

Aldi – Featherweight Wine

‘Really pleasant and light’ ‘Very drinkable – the colder the better’ ‘Easy drinking’ ‘How much???’

These were the comments when the team tried this low calorie Sauvignon Blanc.

The back of the bottle says it is made with a Sauvignon Blanc from Chile. Fresh and zesty with aromas of gooseberry and mint leaf.

At just 55 cals for a 125ml glass and only £2.99 a bottle, this is a winner!

There are whispers that there are other wines in the Featherweight range at Aldi but we could only find this one. We will keep hunting judging by the results for this taste test!

Monster Ultra Citron

If energy drinks are your thing, then the new Monster Ultra Citron could be for you with just 9 cals per 500ml can.

Per 100 ml

• Cals 2
• Carbs 1
• Sugar 0
• Salt 0.05

If you’re looking for a low cal energy boost, it does have the same amount of caffeine as two and a half Espresso shots.

Our resident energy drinker tried this one for us.

He said,

‘The initial citrus taste was really good but had a really strong aftertaste of sweeteners. I would normally drink a can of Monster but I couldn’t drink more than a couple of mouthfuls of this one.’

So not a winner then?

Goodness Knows

Produced by Mars (yes, the same people who make the full-on chocolate, caramel and nougat bars) these snack squares have no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.

Whole nuts, real fruit and dark chocolate make up the squares and there’s four in each packet, so you could share it if you wanted. No? Okay that’s cool!

These little blighters are not easy to find yet as they are so brand new but will be available in three different flavours:

• Apple, Peanut & Almond
• Blueberry & Almond
• Cranberry & Almond

We are really looking forward to giving these a try. At less than 160 cals per pack, they have the potential to be an excellent addition to your snack repertoire.

Flavour	Calories
Apple, Peanut & Almond	157
Blueberry & Almond	154
Cranberry & Almond	153

If you manage to find these in the shop, let us know what you think by dropping us an email to helpteam@weightlossresources.co.uk

Innate Squares

These little squares from Elsa Valentine and Tess Walker are about to hit the snack circuit.

They combine vegetables, coconut and almond to produce healthy, savoury snacks.

Elsa says,

‘Most companies looking to create ‘healthy’ snacks take unhealthy ones, such as biscuits and crisps, and tweak formulations. We wanted to create something totally different.’

Suitable for vegans and vegetarians, they are 100% natural, Paleo and gluten dairy and grain free. But how do they stack up taste and calorie-wise?

Flavour	Calories per 28g bag
Butternut Squash	258

Comments from the team:

• A little cardboard-like in texture
• Really quite tasty
• Quite Moorish
• Not very appetising to look at so leave them in the resealable bag as you eat them!

Flavour	Calories per 28g bag
Spinach & Coconut	169

Comments from the team:

• VERY green!
• Strong smell of coconut.
• Could taste coconut but not sure spinach and coconut make a good combination.
• Didn’t enjoy these.

Flavour	Calories per 28g bag
Beetroot	149

Comments from the team:

• Great burgundy colour
• Vinegary smell
• Peculiar taste – maybe an acquired taste

Not the cheapest of snacks at £1.65 a bag but the best of the three were the butternut squash version. We really liked the idea of the reseal able packs but the beetroot and spinach flavours have stayed sealed since the taste test!

Fit Kitchen

Fit Kitchen has created a range of delicious readymade meals available to buy from Sainsbury’s and Waitrose. These are ready meals with a difference though.

The team, with the help of nutritionist Sharmain Davis and Professional Masterchef winner Ash Mair, have created a range that is healthy, calories counted and on the table in around 4 minutes!

The meals are all less than 400 calories, have 3 of your 5 a day, and are high in protein and low in carbs to boot! At just £3.80 a pop they are a real win, win for busy people looking for a quick, healthy meal that won’t break the bank and take ages to prepare.

There are 6 cooked meals and 3 salads available. Although, not all Sainsbury’s and Waitrose have the full range.

The hot meals are:

• Malaysian Chicken 292 calories per pack, 33.8g of protein
• Pad Thai Chicken with zesty sauce 288.7 calories per pack, 33g of protein
• Middle Eastern Grilled Chicken 201.6 calories per pack, 29.7g of protein
• Kung Pao Chicken with zesty sauce 295.6 calories per pack, 34.6g of protein
• Singapore Chicken 227.2 calories per pack, 30.9g of protein
• Thai Red Stir Fry 249.7 calories per pack, 31.6g of protein

The salads are:

• Chicken & Veggie Salad with Thai Dressing 352.7 calories per pack, 40.3g of protein
• Chicken & Kale Rainbow Salad with zesty avocado dressing 376.5 calories per pack, 39.5g of protein

I tried the Pad Thai Chicken and, although it was a little smelly, it was quite tasty and reasonably filling, so a thumbs up from me. Although you may get a little bored with chicken if you had one of these for your evening meal every day so, maybe mix it up a little?

Live Clean™ from Muscle Food

Muscle Food have always been a company that is passionate about healthy eating, offering lean meats, snacks, supplements etc for those wanting to build muscle and train hard.

Now they are branching out and have a new range of ready meals called Live Clean™. Made from clean, wholesome ingredients, with no added sugar and nothing artificial, each meal is less than 500 calories (with some under 400). They are high in protein, have at least 3 of your 5 a day, have balanced carbs and healthy fats.

You order your meals online at http://www.musclefood.com/build-your-own-live-clean-bundle and the company deliver to you by the next day if you order before 7pm. If you have chosen something that takes a bit longer to prepare, it will let you know and you can also choose a date for delivery that is convenient for you. Delivery is £4.95 per order.

The meals are £4.95 each and are microwavable and freezable. There are 12 meals in the range including dishes like:

• Meaty Mac ‘n Cheese 471 calories per meal, 48.6g protein
• Spaghetti Ragu 417 calories per meal, 28.1g of protein
• Persian Lime Chicken 446 calories per meal, 55.6g of protein
• Veg Medley Burrito 344 calories per meal, 24.4g of protein
• Pulled Pork with BBQ Beans 485 calories per meal, 57.1g of protein

The Saucy Fish Co Frozen Range

The Saucy Fish Co has just brought out a brand new range of cook from frozen fish dishes that can be cooked in around 20 minutes.

Ranging from 109 cals to 223 cals per portion, these fish dishes are tasty, easy to cook, high in protein and good for you. Add to that the deliciously different sauces that come with the dish and you have a winning option for a mid-week meal.

The cook from frozen range includes:

• Salmon with Chilli, Lime & Ginger Dressing 199 calories per serving
• Sea Bass with Salsa Verde 223 calories per serving
• Smoked Haddock with Vintage Cheddar & Chive Sauce 109 calories per serving
• Salmon & Cod Fishcake with Hollandaise Centre 198 calories per serving
• Smoked Haddock Fishcake with Vintage Cheddar Centre 172 calories per serving

Team these with some delicious steamed vegetables and you have yourself a really healthy, low calorie and very tasty meal. These items, plus their chilled range, can be found in Budgens, Booths, Co Op, Ocado, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Spar.

I tried the fishcakes, teamed up with some new potatoes, steamed broccoli and fine green beans. I am not a big fish fan but I would definitely have these again! They looked gorgeous before they were even cooked and tasted as good as they promised.

Zeo

On the low cal drinks front, Zeo’s offering of sparkling fruit drinks have some interesting combinations. Choose from:

• Peach & Grapefruit (tastes like a Bellini) 24.7 calories per 225ml
• Cloudy Lemonade 22.5 calories per 225ml
• Cranberry & Raspberry 27 calories per 225ml

Made with spring water, botanical extracts and natural sweetener the three flavours range from 23 to 27 calories per 275ml serving and are available at Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Nisa. You can buy them in 750ml bottles or 330ml cans.

I tried the peach & grapefruit and cloudy lemonade flavours and enjoyed both. They were crisp and refreshing and would make a nice, occasional change from water.

Arla Protein Range

Foods that are higher in protein help to keep us fuller for longer but protein can be a little high in calories so being careful is key. When Arla brought out their high-protein range with 20% protein in each one, they had to be researched by the WLR team! I headed off to the local supermarket to find them.

The range includes yoghurts, snack pots, milk shakes and protein pots.

• Protein Snack Pot Mellow Vanilla 248.6 calories per pot
• Strawberry Protein 142 calories per pot
• Passion Fruit & Papaya Protein 130 calories per pot
• Protein Greens Mango, Kale & Lime Protein 140 calories per pot
• Blueberry Protein 144 calories per pot
• Raspberry Protein 142 calories per pot
• Tropical Protein 144 calories per pot
• Raspberry & Strawberry Protein Milk Shake 171 calories per bottle
• Mango Yoghurt Pouch 148 calories per pouch
• Strawberry Yoghurt Pouch 150 calories per pouch

The protein pots are very filling and a similar texture to mousse. I had one for my mid-morning snack and didn’t really feel hungry til much, much later.

The pouches are also really filling and convenient for food on the go. They have a nice flavour and good thick consistency but are a little difficult to ‘drink’ because of their thickness. Definitely worth considering having something from this range for breakfast to keep you going til lunch time!

Eat Real Snacks

When you’re trying to eat healthily but really want something savoury as a snack, choosing which one can be a bit of a minefield. Eat Real have a great range of snacks that are lower in fat, gluten free and suitable for Vegans and Vegetarians.

Their Hummus Chips have 40% less fat than normal crisps, the Lentil Chips and Veggie Straws have 30% less fat. There is quite a good range to choose from too.

• Hummus Chips in 4 different flavours at around 130 calories per serving and 4.8g of fat
• Quinoa Chips in 5 different flavours at around 165 calories per 28g serving and 8.7g of fat
• Quinoa Puffs in 4 different flavours at around 130 calories per 28g serving and 6.9g fat

They also have snack bars, nuts and veggie chips and straws. You can find Eat Real in most good supermarkets and see the full range at www.eatreal.co.uk

Yushoi

Inspired by Japan, Yushoi uses the natural goodness of vegetables and turns them into a range of baked snacks to help you keep on track with your healthy eating and weight loss.

Made with peas (yes you read that right, I said peas, bear with me) they are 50% less fat than their other snack counterparts and are high in fibre. Due to the pulse base, they are also a good source of protein. You can buy them at most good supermarkets and health food shops.

The range includes:

• Lightly Salted at 88 calories and 2.9g of fat per 28g portion (419 cals per 100g)
• Sweet Chilli & Lemon at 88 calories and 3g of fat per 28g portion (420 calories per 100g)
• Soy & Balsamic Vinegar at 88 calories and 2.9g of fat per 28g portion (417 cals per 100g)
• Smoky Salt & Pepper at 86 calories and 2.7g of fat per 28g portion (409 calories per 100g)
• Mild Green Curry at 87 calories and 3g of fat per 28g portion (415 calories per 100g)

I tried the lightly salted and sweet chilli flavours and really enjoyed both. Although I think I would choose the sweet chilli in the future as they had a bit more taste. Because they are puffed and baked you get quite a lot of bang for your buck when you weigh out a 28g portion and I found them satisfying as a snack. I would be interested in some of the other flavours.

Philadelphia Flip & Dip

These little pots of heaven are available in 3 delicious flavours – Sweet Chilli, Caramelised Onion and Salsa. Basically, it’s a pot of light Philadelphia with a topping drizzled over it. You do exactly what it says on the tin, flip and then dip! (Tip the pot onto a plate, release the vacuum by peeling off the foil on the bottom and it all tips out onto the plate for you.) Find them in the chiller cabinets in most good supermarkets.

I discovered Philadelphia with sweet chilli sauce on top at a party a few years ago so it’s great to see the actual product is now available. At around 50 calories a serving (30g), these pots make a great snack. I had the sweet chilli and caramelised onion flavours. Using carrot sticks instead of the usual tortilla made this a satisfying and indulgent snack that didn’t break the calorie bank.

• Flip & Dip Sweet Chilli 51 calories per 30g portion (171 cals per 100g)
• Flip & Dip Caramelised Onion 48 calories per serving (161 cals per 100g)
• Flip & Dip Mexican Salsa 46 calories per serving (155 per 100g)

Oreo Thins

Oreos may well be off the menu if you are trying to watch the calories and lose weight, but with these little beauties, they don’t have to be! Crisp and thin but still delicious and sweet, these biscuits will help satiate that craving but won’t cost you too many calories.

For just under 118 calories you can have 4 biscuits with your afternoon cuppa and there are 2 flavours to choose from. Oreo Original or Oreo Chocolate Thins. Who says you can’t have your biscuit and eat it?

Some people in the office felt that they would just eat the whole packet because they are so thin but I had 4 of the original flavour with my coffee yesterday afternoon and loved the fact I could have something that is quite often deemed ‘naughty’ but still be within my calorie allowance. You can find these in the biscuit aisle in most good supermarkets.

Digestive Thins

Hands up who loves a choccie biscuit? But at 84 calories PER BISCUIT it’s difficult to squeeze them in when you are counting calories. McVities to the rescue! Their Digestive Thins weigh in at around 31 calories per biccie.

Available in 3 flavours and in most good supermarkets, these little bits of indulgence are light and crisp with a decent amount of chocolate on them. As the name suggests, they are thin but still taste good. I even tried dipping them in my tea and they survived really well!

• Digestive Thins Dark Chocolate 32 calories per 6g biscuit (508 cals per 100g)
• Digestive Thins Milk Chocolate 32 calories per 6g biscuit (508 cals per 100g)
• Digestive Thins Cappuccino 31 calories per 6g biscuit (508 cals per 100g)

Maryland Thins

Not to be left behind, the makers of Maryland are also launching a new, thin cookie. They will be available in 2 flavours (milk & dark chocolate and salted caramel) in all good supermarkets. They promise to taste as good as the Maryland cookies do and will be a good alternative to the original cookie for anyone wanting a treat when they are watching their waistline. A normal Maryland cookie is 51 calories for a 10g biscuit. The new ‘thins’ will be around 39.5 cals per 8g biscuit. Looking forwar to trying these when they are available.

Muller Light Goodies

We’re really excited about these new low fat twin-pot yoghurt treats from Muller.  Not only are they rich and creamy but they’re also good for your diet at an incredible 99 calories or less per pot!  Designed as a twin-pot, they’re satisfying and delicious and make the perfect pick-me-up or a good addition to a lunchbox.  

You can even enjoy chocolate too as two of the varieties comes with chocolate coated micro-balls which you dip into the accompanying yoghurt.  

Flavours include strawberry yoghurt with white chocolate coated cereal balls, toffee yoghurt with milk chocolate coated cereal balls and lemon with egg-free meringue pieces.

Heck Chicken Italia Sausages

If you are partial to sausages but you worry about the fat content, try these Heck Chicken Italia sausages which are low in fat and made with basil, tomato and mozzarella.  

These are ideal if you like Italian food, giving you the taste of Italy with a fraction of the fat as well as being gluten free.  

Heck promises the finest quality ingredients.  There are no concerns over calorie content either because each sausage contains only 36 calories – a fraction of what’s in an average sausage.  

These sausages make a healthy, hearty and scrumptious meal for all the family, a new and exciting main course you can whip up in minutes.

Quorn Meat Free Chipolata Sausages

For those of you who prefer to avoid meat, these Quorn Meat Free Chipolatas should satisfy your taste buds without piling on the pounds.  

They are an excellent vegetarian option and a great product for anyone to keep in the freezer to use on a ‘meat free’ night or a ‘just in case’ meal.  

The chipolatas sausages are made with mycoprotein which is a meat substitute that is naturally low in fat but with a good quantity of fibre and protein.  One chipolata is 53 calories and 2.9g of fat.    

Try them on the BBQ this summer for a delightful chargrill flavour and serve with healthy green vegetables or a crisp side salad.

Kettle Bites

Sometimes all you want is a bag of crisps – without doing damage to your waistline.  The good news is you can treat yourself every now and then with the right product.  

These new Kettle Bites from Kettle Foods come in a variety of different flavours and can be purchased in singles or in multipacks.  Choose from Maple Barbecue, Mozzarella & Pesto, Coconut Lime & Chilli or Sweet Chilli Lentil Curls.  Each pack contains 97 calories per 100g with 3.1g of fat (a single bag weighs 22g).

Delicious Kettle Bites are baked, meaning they have 50% less fat than other crisps - and without msg or artificial flavours and colours they are an all-round healthier alternative.  

Get Fruity Bars

These award-winning fruit-packed snack bars are perfect for all the family.  Free from gluten and artificial flavours and colours they are even suitable for vegans.  

The natural sweetness is derived from the fruit used in the bars and these bars are so good they tick off one of your 5–a-day essentials.  

Combined with fruit and oat there are three different varieties to choose from: Apricot, Orange & Ginger, Mixed Berry and Strawberry.  Get Fruity promises to keep you fuller for longer so a great choice and each one contains just 140 calories with 4.6g of fat.

Quorn Vegan Easy Range, Vegan-Free Meat Pieces & Hot Spicy Burgers

This Quorn range is easy to prepare and low in fat. The 4-pack burgers are ideal as a meat burger replacement and taste delicious grilled.  The burgers contain just 118 calories each, so no problem if you want to eat one in a bun with some relish!

Quorn meat pieces are ideal for use in recipes as a meat substitute. They contain mycroprotein, low in fat and calories but high in fibre and protein. Expect 104 calories per 100g with 1.4 g of fat.  

Whether you’re barbecuing or casseroling, both of these make delicious and nutritious meat-free meals for all the family to enjoy.

Bernard Matthews Cravers

Bernard Matthews’ Chicken Cravers are made out of pure chicken breast or turkey breast pieces and are very low in calories at 158 per 100g, however the fat content is 7g (higher than other products mentioned in this list).

Cravers are a poultry snack and come in a 60g snack pack which is ideal for lunch on the run or as a quick, light and tasty savoury bite.

Soreen Squidgy Cake Minis

If you can’t resist sweet temptations, then we might have the answer with these utterly divine Soreen Squidgy Cake Minis.  These gorgeously tasty little cakes contain all the flavour you’re looking for but promise 60% less fat and 50% less sugar.  

Supermarkets sell these in packs of five and each cake bar contains between 95 and 99 calories, with just 1.3 to 1.8 g of fat depending on the variety you choose.  There are two tempting flavours, Rich Chocolate or Toffee and both have real pieces of chocolate or toffee to enjoy. So good, you’ll have to resist a second…!

Young’s Gastro Restaurant Quality Fish

Young’s Gastro range never fails to impress and for those of you who enjoy a good quality piece of fish which is filling and nutritious you will be delighted with the new products.  

There are a variety of different dishes to choose from, including one of our favourites, Lemon & Herb Tempura Batter Basa Fillets. The products are responsibly sourced, so kind to the environment.  

Each fillet contains 279 calories and 14g of fat and is made using healthier rapeseed oil, with a variety of herbs including basil, marjoram, oregano and thyme for an excellent flavour.  Lightly battered in breadcrumbs, they are higher in calories than other food mentioned on this list but as a tasty treat they won’t harm your waistline when served with crispy fresh sautéed or stir fried vegetables.  

Other products include flavoursome Young’s Gastro 2 Basa Fillets with Salt and Black Pepper, 276 calories per fillet with 12.2g of fat.

Eat Natural Light & Lovely Bar

These exceptionally indulgent bars contain a treasure chest of goodness and are full of fruity pieces including plums, red apples and seeds. High in fibre and low in calories their fat content is 4.8g per 100g and they make a tasty snack which will keep you satisfied for longer.  

Suitable for vegetarians and gluten free they are a healthy addition to a lunch box and eaten in moderation will keep your waistline in check!

Kerry Low Low

Cheese lovers who are watching their weight will be delighted with the new gluten free Kerry Low Low mature cheddar spread.  Simply pop it onto a piece of cracker bread or similar for a delicious, flavoursome snack or pop a few slices of cherry tomato on top and make a light lunch.

20g of this spread gives you only 41 calories of which you’ll find 2.9 g fat and it’s rich in calcium too with no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.  This spread promises all the flavour with a fraction of the fat and makes a wonderful dip with crudités.

New Alpen Light Bars

Alpen is a trusted brand creating sumptuous high fibre food and snacks packed with great nutrition and full of what we like to call “the good stuff”.  So when Alpen started to bring out their light range – we all whooped with delight!  

They’ve just introduced two new snack bars, Light Banoffee and Light Jaffa Cake.  

The Banoffee is a combination of banana with toffee drizzled with plain chocolate and at just 70 calories (7g fat per 100g) each there’s no reason not to try one.  

The tangy Jaffa flavour is also 70 calories per bar (10g fat per 100g) and is created with orange, rolled oats and drizzled in divine dark chocolate.

Beware though – put these in the larder and they won’t last long, everyone will be clamouring to try them!

Oppo Ice Cream

Who said you can’t have ice cream because it’s fattening?  You don’t need to stick with sorbet with Oppo; it’s the lighter option when it comes to this staple summer dessert.

That means there’s no need to stint on your favourite chocolate or vanilla ice cream because this one has all the flavour and half the fat. Those clever people at Oppo have combined traditional flavours with superfoods so you get a really healthy, low calorie, low fat dessert!

There are three new tubs to try;

• Salted Caramel with a Hint of Locuma
• Madagascan Vanilla With a Hint of Baobab
• Mint Chocolate Swirl With a Hit of Spirulina.  

These flavours certainly add the WOW factor to low fat ice cream.  Plus you don’t have to worry too much about calories, here’s the lowdown:

Salted Caramel With a Hint of Locuma (80 calories per 2 scoops, 3.9g of fat)

This dreamy ice cream is just the right amount of sweet with a dash of salt to sharpen your taste-buds, it’s also naturally sweetened so there’s no nasty after taste. Locuma is a Peruvian fruit and packed with antioxidants.  Combined with coconut milk – this ice cream is absolutely mouth-watering.

Madagascan Vanilla with a Hint of Baobab (76 calories per 2 scoops, 3.8g of fat)

This ice cream is made using coconut milk with fresh vanilla pods and baobab, (which is a superfood rich in vitamin C, what the body needs for cell regeneration).  It’s a luxurious ice cream for everyone to enjoy, whether calorie counting or not.

Mint Chocolate Swirl With a Hint of Spirulina (85 calories per 2 scoops, 3.8 g of fat)

This ice cream is made with mint, coconut milk and blended with Spirulina, a superfood rich in vitamins, minerals and protein.  There’s no artificial sweetener either so you get a combination of luxurious indulgence with good-for-you ingredients.

Whoever heard of healthy ice cream? Well, it’s here – available from Waitrose and Occado.

The Giving Tree Fruit & Vegetable Crisps

If you’re a Crisp lover trying to ditch the habit then you’ll rejoice in The Giving Tree and their selection of 7 different flavours of natural fruit and vegetable crisps.  

These little beauties are delicious, nutritious and importantly they are low in calories.

Choose from Broccoli, Pumpkin, Peach, Strawberry, Mango, Apple and Mixed Vegetable. Perfect to pop them in your bag for a workday snack.

Freeze dried and vacuum packed all the nutrition is kept inside and these are also preservative free so no nasty additives. They’re satisfyingly crunchy and tasty too.

With absolutely no frying involved at all, each pack contains between 70 and 110 calories and represents one of your 5 a day. They are available from some supermarkets and most health food shops.

Warburton’s Thin Bagels

Bagel lovers need not miss them anymore because bread specialists Warburton’s have brought out three new low calorie products, Thin Bagels!  

Choose from Plain, Cinnamon & Raisin or Sesame and tantalise your taste-buds without putting on the pounds.  Available from most supermarkets these are satisfyingly filling and delicious too.  

The Plain variety is just 120 calories with 0.6g of fat and delivers all the flavour you’d expect from a regular bagel.

Cinnamon & Raisin is a sweeter option, made with real raisins and a smattering of spicy cinnamon; this one is just 130 calories with 0.6g of fat.

Finally the Sesame bagel is generously sprinkled with crunchy sesame seeds, and is only 130 calories with 1.7 g of fat.

Smear these with low calorie soft cheese and some oak smoked salmon for a filling lunch or serve with sweetcorn and tuna.

Squirrel Sisters Snack Bars

No need to reach for the forbidden biscuit tin with these tasty and nutritious vegan Squirrel Sisters snack bars. Available from most good health food shops, these bars are filling and packed with quality ingredients.  

There are three flavours to choose from, Raspberry Ripple, Cacao Brownie and Coconut Cashew.  

The Coconut Cashew is 91 calories per bar and made with raw, paleo-friendly ingredients, it’s also high fibre and gluten free.  

The tangy Raspberry Ripple gives plenty of sweet goodness with no artificial flavours or ingredients, also high fibre, raw and paleo friendly this bar contains only 91 calories.

Finally, chocolate lovers will fall in love with the Cacao Brownie bar which is a chocolate-orange flavour and contains just 82 calories.  

All three are described as Paleo friendly containing raw, high fibre ingredients.

New Tesco Healthy Living Ready Meals

Tesco have introduced six new light ready meals which offer a filling, tasty and low fat alternative to cooking – who could possibly resist?  

Choose from BBQ Pulled Pork & Wedges, Prawn Biryani, Sweet Chilli Chicken Noodles, Chicken Noodle Laksa, South Indian Curry With Pilaf and Cajun Chicken.  

With that list there’s enough for almost the whole week!  No more menu planning needed so breathe a sigh of relief.  Here’s the lowdown:

BBQ Pulled Pork & Wedges (460 calories, 12.9g fat)

Enjoy deliciously tender pulled pork marinated in a tangy BBQ sauce served with crispy golden potato wedges and sprinkled with grated mozzarella full fat soft cheese.  All the taste, a quarter of the calories and so filling, you won’t want anything else!

Prawn Biryani (358 calories, 8.8g fat)

Now you don’t have to miss out on your favourite Indian meal because Tesco have created this outstanding light option featuring King Prawns in a mild masala sauce paired with Biryani rice, spinach, peas and juicy roasted tomatoes.  We know what we’re having tonight!

Sweet Chilli Chicken Noodles (291 calories, 3.7g fat)

Enjoy some Asian fusion without the guilt with this Tesco Healthy Living ready meal. It consists of tender cooked chicken pieces in a tangy sweet chilli sauce along with soya beans and water chestnuts.  It’s satisfying and filling – so good you’ll think it came from a restaurant!

Chicken Noodle Laksa (317 calories, 7.8g fat)

Here’s another scrumptious Indian meal with a quarter of the calorific value and fat of the same dish in a restaurant.  It’s made with pieces of chicken, vegetables and noodles combined with a creamy coconut sauce – all the taste, none of the guilt.

South Indian Curry with Pilaf (367 calories, 5.9g fat)

This healthy living meal consists of tender pieces of chicken breast and red peppers which are cooked in a curry sauce along with basmati rice and a combination of spinach, peas, lentils and chickpeas.  Best buy a few, this one will be popular.

Cajun Chicken (218 calories, 5.8g fat)

Another of our favourites, this is a flavoursome ready meal suitable for 2 people.  It consists of tender chicken breasts, red and yellow peppers and sweet cherry tomatoes cooked in a Cajun-style tangy sauce.

Keep Me Strong High Protein Multi-Grain Cereal

We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day – giving us the fuel we need to take us through to lunch.  

Unfortunately many people skimp on this meal which is why the biscuit tin becomes such a temptation to ease those hunger pangs at 11.00am.  

Eating a high protein breakfast will stop tummy rumbles and the Keep Me Strong product ticks all the boxes.  It’s available from most supermarkets and per 30g serving delivers 173 calories with 2.7g fat.  It’s packed full of quality multi grains and proteins from brown rice. It’s also low sugar, low salt and low fat plus has added vitamins A, B6 and C so is full of everything needed to face the day.

Nakd Nibbles

Available from most supermarkets, these cute little all-natural snack packs are ideal for all the family and contain only raw fruit and nut pieces so there are no hidden sugars or additives.  

Suitable for vegans, Nakd Nibbles deliver one of the 5 a day so they’re well worth stocking up on.  Choose from Fruit Salad or Salted Caramel, both consist of dates, cashews and raisins and contain 137/138 calories respectively and 4.7 g fat.

Muller Light New Flavours

Muller always manages to deliver pleasant flavours rolled into a low calorie, light dessert.  Here are two newbies to tickle your tastebuds.

Choose from Light Goodies Coconut and Light Mango and Lime, two very summery flavours to enjoy when the weather decides to brighten up (and in between too).  

The rich and creamy Coconut variety comes with a sprinkling of milk chocolate cereal flakes too – the ultimate in luxury and contains 91 calories per 100g, 2.3g of fat.  

The Mango & Lime variation is sweet and tangy at the same time and made with low calorie thick Greek yoghurt and at only 66 calories per 100g and 0.1g of fat it’s a pretty safe way to enjoy a treat -  fill your boots!

Onken 0% Fat Wholegrain Redcurrant Yoghurt

This new yoghurt from favourites Onken is available from most supermarkets and has 0% fat (137 calories per 150g serving) – what more could you ask for?

It’s great for gut health because it contains live cultures and fibre.

It’s a combination of five grains with the sharp taste of redcurrant and with no artificial flavourings or colourings it makes a healthy snack. Try it over fresh summer berries for breakfast or as a delicious dessert?  

Eatlean Protein Cheese

If you’re a cheese lover there’s no need to ditch the cheddar when watching your weight. Eatlean Protein Cheese delivers all the flavour with half the fat.  

100% natural and high in protein it contains, surprisingly (but true), 90% less in fat than regular cheddar at just 169 calories per 100g and 3.9g of fat.

This high-protein cheese keeps you fuller for longer and is delicious served on a low calorie cracker or with one of the Warburton’s thin bagels mentioned above!

Hopefully the above list of delicious new diet food options will inspire you to prepare healthy, low fat meals for all the family as well as adding a few new tasty snacks to your larder.  Just a few tweaks to your weekly meal planner is all it takes to add some excitement to your dinner table!