There can't be many of us who grew up without having spaghetti hoops on toast for tea, so imagine how pleased I was when I found out that Heinz has just launched a No Added Sugar version of their ever-popular spaghetti hoops. This nutritious, convenient, and tasty store cupboard essential is just as popular now as it has always been: perfect for a quick lunch, for after school tea, during days out, or as a go-to on busy days. But why alter a classic you might ask? And what will the girls think of the new no added sugar version? Keep reading to find out...
Sugar has been big news in recent years, with many of us shocked to find out just how much is in everyday foods. For most of us, ensuring our children eat well, stick to a reasonable intake of sugar and calories, get enough fruit & veg portions etc, are all concerns which add to our collection of the numerous spinning plates we must balance as parents. You don't want to be that mum (or dad) by saying they can't have foods they love, but equally you want to be careful about what they eat.
Like many parents, I am concerned about sugar levels in our food, so it's great to see Heinz is leading the way by being the first brand to bring out the first no added sugar canned pasta product. Just like the standard spaghetti hoops, these no added sugar hoops also count as 1 of their 5 a day - with a whole tomato squeezed into each portion!
What's also great is that Heinz No Added Sugar Hoops are also free from artificial flavours, colours and preservatives, nor do they contain any artificial sweeteners either, instead using natural stevia plant. And, best of all, you can't even tell the difference! A win on all fronts!
Sophia was VERY excited when the new Heinz No Added Sugar Hoops arrived as they are one of her favourite things. Just look at this keen to try face!
The girls were happy to run a taste test (when do they ever say no to food?!), and we even whipped up some yummy nut burgers to go with them, catch the recipe below. Sophia declared that they tasted just the same as normal hoops and Tatiana said they were "the best ones ever!", whilst Lara asked for seconds. So I think you could say that they went down well!
Big thanks to Heinz for creating the first no added sugar canned pasta variety and giving parents one less thing to worry about this summer, a simple way to help reduce kids' sugar intake. From now on, during those crazy days when we have very little time, we can grab an easy meal on the go, without worrying about added sugar content. They can also be used as a side dish, as in the recipe below. After all, they've been given the kids' thumbs up in our taste test!
Nut Burgers
These simple nut burgers are easy to make, tasty and very nutritious. Use whatever nuts or seeds you have, and serve with Heinz No Added Sugar Hoops, sweet potato wedges and other veggies, such as cavolo nero and mushrooms, for a super healthy, vitamin-rich meal.
Makes 6 small burgers
Ingredients
½ small red onion, finely chopped
1 tsp coconut oil or olive oil
60g walnuts
60g pumpkin seeds
160g chickpeas
1 tbsp. chopped parsley
3 tsp dried mixed herbs
freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp. Heinz Reduced Sugar Tomato Ketchup
2 tsp yeast extract
3 tbsp. hot water, from the kettle
Method
1. Fry the onion in coconut oil for a couple of minutes until softened.
2. Use a food processor to chop the walnuts and pumpkin seeds, then add the chickpeas and pulse a couple of times to break them up roughly. If making by hand, chop the nuts and seeds then use the back of a fork to crush the chickpeas.
3. Stir the onion, parsley and herbs in to the nut, seed and chickpea mix, then season with black pepper to taste.
4. Add the Heinz Reduced Sugar Tomato Ketchup and yeast extract, stir well.
5. Add the water a spoon at a time and mix well, stopping when you can make a firmish ball with the loose mix.
6. Divide the bean mixture into 6 patties, and dry fry for about 3 minutes on each side, or until well browned and heated through. Serve.
New Heinz No Added Sugar Hoops are available from all major supermarkets in 205g and 400g sizes, RRP 55p and 75p respectively.
Sugar has been big news in recent years, with many of us shocked to find out just how much is in everyday foods. For most of us, ensuring our children eat well, stick to a reasonable intake of sugar and calories, get enough fruit & veg portions etc, are all concerns which add to our collection of the numerous spinning plates we must balance as parents. You don't want to be that mum (or dad) by saying they can't have foods they love, but equally you want to be careful about what they eat.
Like many parents, I am concerned about sugar levels in our food, so it's great to see Heinz is leading the way by being the first brand to bring out the first no added sugar canned pasta product. Just like the standard spaghetti hoops, these no added sugar hoops also count as 1 of their 5 a day - with a whole tomato squeezed into each portion!
What's also great is that Heinz No Added Sugar Hoops are also free from artificial flavours, colours and preservatives, nor do they contain any artificial sweeteners either, instead using natural stevia plant. And, best of all, you can't even tell the difference! A win on all fronts!
Sophia was VERY excited when the new Heinz No Added Sugar Hoops arrived as they are one of her favourite things. Just look at this keen to try face!
The girls were happy to run a taste test (when do they ever say no to food?!), and we even whipped up some yummy nut burgers to go with them, catch the recipe below. Sophia declared that they tasted just the same as normal hoops and Tatiana said they were "the best ones ever!", whilst Lara asked for seconds. So I think you could say that they went down well!
Big thanks to Heinz for creating the first no added sugar canned pasta variety and giving parents one less thing to worry about this summer, a simple way to help reduce kids' sugar intake. From now on, during those crazy days when we have very little time, we can grab an easy meal on the go, without worrying about added sugar content. They can also be used as a side dish, as in the recipe below. After all, they've been given the kids' thumbs up in our taste test!
Nut Burgers
These simple nut burgers are easy to make, tasty and very nutritious. Use whatever nuts or seeds you have, and serve with Heinz No Added Sugar Hoops, sweet potato wedges and other veggies, such as cavolo nero and mushrooms, for a super healthy, vitamin-rich meal.
Makes 6 small burgers
Ingredients
½ small red onion, finely chopped
1 tsp coconut oil or olive oil
60g walnuts
60g pumpkin seeds
160g chickpeas
1 tbsp. chopped parsley
3 tsp dried mixed herbs
freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp. Heinz Reduced Sugar Tomato Ketchup
2 tsp yeast extract
3 tbsp. hot water, from the kettle
Method
1. Fry the onion in coconut oil for a couple of minutes until softened.
2. Use a food processor to chop the walnuts and pumpkin seeds, then add the chickpeas and pulse a couple of times to break them up roughly. If making by hand, chop the nuts and seeds then use the back of a fork to crush the chickpeas.
3. Stir the onion, parsley and herbs in to the nut, seed and chickpea mix, then season with black pepper to taste.
4. Add the Heinz Reduced Sugar Tomato Ketchup and yeast extract, stir well.
5. Add the water a spoon at a time and mix well, stopping when you can make a firmish ball with the loose mix.
6. Divide the bean mixture into 6 patties, and dry fry for about 3 minutes on each side, or until well browned and heated through. Serve.
New Heinz No Added Sugar Hoops are available from all major supermarkets in 205g and 400g sizes, RRP 55p and 75p respectively.
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