Pesto is a staple cooking item to have at home, whether you whip up a quick pesto pasta or make some pesto chicken, it saves you time, but since this is not a syn free food in the slimming world, you have to ensure you are tracking it.
Aldi's pesto has typically 9 syns a serving for their green pesto, this can differ by a few syns however if you choose their red pesto, this makes their pesto very high in syns and should only be consumed within moderation.
Down below, we've composed a short guide that will take you through why pesto is so high in syns, syn values, low syn alternatives from other brands as well as how to make your own SW friendly pesto.
You might be shocked to learn that Aldi's pesto pre-made sauce has 9 syns a serving, but pesto is very high in calories, having on average 150-175 calories a serving.
This is because its main ingredients are olive oil, nuts and cheese, which are all high in fat, it should be noted that all of the ingredients are very healthy for you, however, and most of the fats inside are unsaturated too.
You would only be able to have a serving and a half of pesto before using up all of your daily syn allowance for the day. However, you can always choose reduced-fat pesto which has about 3 syns less if you are looking to save more syns.
If you find Aldi's pesto to be too high in syns there are other low syn alternatives to choose from which we will list below to add to your shopping basket.
If you are a lover of pesto, don't be alarmed by its syns since you can always make your syn free version at home.
We've listed the recipe below.
To conclude, there is no reason as to why you can't enjoy pesto on the slimming world plan as long as you have enough room in your syn allowance, pesto is very good for you and full of healthy ingredients despite the high calories.
We would recommend however switching to reduced-fat pesto if you want to take off some syns or try making a syn free version at home!
Syn values are calculated using a formula based on calories, saturated fat and sugar content per serving. They’re not the same as calories — a product can be low in calories but higher in syns if it’s high in sugar or fat. Always check the official Slimming World app for the most accurate and up-to-date syn values.
Yes. When manufacturers reformulate their products, the syn value can go up or down. This is why we recommend double-checking with the Slimming World app or your consultant, especially if a product’s packaging has changed recently.
Most Slimming World members work with 5 to 15 syns per day. Your consultant will advise on the right amount for you. The key is to use your syns on the things you enjoy most — whether that’s a chocolate bar, a glass of wine, or a packet of crisps.
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