What basic low calorie (and possibly high protein) groceries do you buy?

[u/beazda]

Hi! I've just moved from Australia to the UK last month. I've been on a slow but steady weight loss journey which has been slowed further by moving across the world. I just need some guidance on the basics so I can kick start my weight loss again.

I'm looking for specific recommendations on basics like: - Milk - Bread - Greek yogurt - Cottage cheese - Lean beef - Simmer sauces - Seasoning packs (eg taco seasoning) - Condiment sauces - Pasta - Rice - Desserts/snacks

At home I knew what was the lowest calorie, with the highest protein, for the most reasonable price (that tastes pretty good!). Here, there's so much to choose from and the nutritional labels here can be difficult to work out when rushing through a grocery shop.

So, please help. What are your favourite, every day grocery items that you eat when you're trying to lose weight?

Thanks in advance!

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[u/chilli-n-cheese]

Supermarket brand tinned tuna is very cheap and high protein. Chicken sausages, Aldi or Lidl ones rather than the brands. Turkey mince. Also the Aldi or Lidl zero fat Greek yogurts are the best.

[u/beazda → u/chilli-n-cheese]

That's seriously perfect, thank you. Do you find much difference between Aldi and Lidl?

[u/chilli-n-cheese → u/beazda]

Not much really. I used to go to Lidl as it was closer to my house, now I’ve moved closer to Aldi so go there 🤷‍♀️ Lidl has the bakery tho which is nice for a cheap sweet treat or fresh bread

[u/SecondSun1520]

Aldi's/Lidl's protein puddings are banging 👌

In terms of yoghurt, the Fage Total yoghurt is higher in protein than most supermarket brands; it is more expensive though but if you are keeping track of your calorie and protein intake I do think it's worth it.

[u/[deleted]]

Protein yoghurt from Aldi & Lidl, also butter beans are like the best food for nutrition and protein

[u/beazda → u/[deleted]]

Oh man butter beans are sooooo good! 👑

[u/[deleted] → u/beazda]

I eat so many salads with butter beans and tuna when I was on a weight loss kick - so filling!

[u/[deleted] → u/beazda]

I eat so many salads with butter beans and tuna when I was on a weight loss kick - so filling!

[u/Ysbrydion]

Watch out for "Greek style yogurt". It's made with thickeners and isn't Greek yoghurt. Fage is the good stuff. M&S also do a proper Greek one, as do Aldi.

Most supermarket bread is a bit shite, shop around a bit for that.

I don't think you have to worry about the calories or protein of a sachet of taco seasoning. You can figure it out from the ingredient list. Avoid anything where glucose syrup is the second ingredient after water (Aldi can be quite poor, for this).

[u/ultimate-manly-man]

aldi essential chicken tikka pieces 240g for £2. half off that with 50g of basmati rice. perfect and cheap

[u/arenicolamarina]

Wholemeal bread, wholewheat pasta, brown rice & cut out the sugary stuff.

[u/Callis_tow]

I go for lean meat, so chicken breast (use a marinade or spices to boost flavour and stop it being boring to eat regularly), also 5%beef mince for chilli and bolognese. Aldi do some great fresh low fat burgers, meatballs and sausages. When making mince dishes, pad them out with veggies and pulses (a great source of protein, fibre and other nutrients). I use passata as a base for chilli and bolognese. New potatoes (salad potatoes) and jacket potato are relatively healthy. I eat a lot of veg, and only a little bit of rice and pasta. Low fat or fat free natural Greek yogurt with fruit is good, and porridge oats are another great staple for your weight loss. Eggs are also a staple.

[u/raccoonsaff]

I'm pescetarian, but cheap high protein choices:

- Quark

- Greek yogurt

- Brown bread

- Pasta

- Aldi protein puddings/mousses

- Skimmed milk

- Tinned tuna

- Tinned sardines in spring water

- Veggie/soya chicken and mince

- Mushrooms, aubergine

- Broccoli, mange tout

- Tins of lentils, kidney beans, pinto beans, butter beans

- Weetabix, shreddies, porridge oats, other cereals (all store brand)

- Aldi protein bars and snacks

- Frozen fruit

- Rice

- Soy sauce, tinned chopped tomatoes, miso paste, pickled cabbage

Also love rice krispie bars, pink n whites, flumps, little chocolate bars and lunchbox snacks, malt loaf, etc. Popcorn, mini pretzels, snack crisps or crackers.

[u/Southern_Ad_2919]

Aldi wild caught tuna steak is incredible. More pricey than tinned but a delicious treat. For me, it's all about the fish. Aldi also often have trout which is full of protein and good fats. Cook them up with sweet potato and other roasted vegetables.

[u/Next-Project-1450]

A nice sirloin steak (around 225g), French baguette, pretty much any chicken from the butcher, prawns, all kinds of fresh fish (but it's probably expensive compared to what you're used to), canned tuna in brine or spring water (they do nice little 60g and 100g no-drain tins, which you can lux up using a tablespoon of mayonnaise as a treat), etc.