To think Pinch of Nom is not that amazing?

[GallbladderWoes]

Probably an unpopular opinion, but I had 2 PON books for Christmas, and a lot of the recipes aren't great, and a lot are very basic!

Don't get me wrong there's some good ones but the diet cola Chinese chicken takes ages when there's much easier ways to make a tasty, healthy low fat Chinese, and tonight I made the ham and potato cakes as "an easy dinner" and they have basically been a massive faff and all fallen apart.

Gahhhh.

@Needcoffeecoffeecoffee

Thanks for this. I was looking at this or the slimming foodie. Does anyone know if that's any better?

I use the Slimming Foodie often, much better.

Never got the hype & a lot of the recipes are similar to recipes floating online for years.

I recommend Tom Kerridge's Lose Weight for Good

I sent mine back - it was really crap. I think anyone with basic culinary skills are not the target audience for these books. Never looked at the hairy bikers books so I am looking forward to checking them out!

Have you tried Two Chubby Cubs? They've got two books, and are seemingly pals with the Slimming Foodie too

The Hairy Bikers recipes are really good. They work reliably.

Don't PON allegedly get a lot of their recipes from Two Chubby Cubs?

Irritating title. Does the forward encourage you to have a cheeky glass of wine?

I almost added their books to my Christmas list and after reading this I'm glad I didn't now.

The Slimming Eats cheeseburger pasta is a huge hit in our house though so I might treat myself to the Slimming Eats book instead.

They're both absolutely vast. I don't get it. Why aren't they thin?

I was given a PON recipe book for Christmas and haven't tried anything yet. I've had a flick through and nothing is jumping out at me so far.

Another vote for hairy dieters, no synthetic crap

I really think the PON books are hugely overrated. We have given the recipes a good go but there is very few that I would bother with a second time

My DD bought me one of the books and I was immediately put off by the massive ingredient lists.

I like the Joe Wicks Veggie lean in 15...... all cooks really quickly and tends to be things you have in the fridge/cupboard.

I second the Slimming Foodie. She has loads of recipes on her website to try as well. Her Smoky Chilli recipe is the best chilli I have ever made.

they are very popular
and people have to have original recipes
i dont look at recipe books although i was tempted to get this, i just look on line

Also agree! Like Joe Wickes I find them a faff and bland. They can be rescued if you sort of follow but add more herbs etc and easier methods… so basically ignoring it except deciding what to have to eat 🤣

I'm not a huge fan of that style of cooking - the cheeseburgerpizzasalad made from three tons of zero fat Greek yoghurt and sweetener with a chopped up gherkin. The style that reminds me of grim evenings in a Slimming World nightmare room.

Happy to be told they've improved though. Although the name makes me gip!

Chubby Cubs recipes are OK. Slimming Foodie OK too.

I think I'm back full circle with smaller amounts of real food though!

Pinch Of Nom? I had assumed it was a version of Snort Of Cocaine (SON) and had averted my eyes and inwardly sneered at acquaintances when they mentioned it.

I want to punch myself in the face every time I have to say the title. But the Chicken Parma is lovely.

The Two Chubby Cubs recipe books and blog are much better. They give credit to anyone whose recipe they have adapted and encourage people to follow other bloggers like The Slimming Foodie.

Agree. Honestly the recipes seemed boring and over complicated for very basic dishes. There are much better books from big names for the "simple healthy staples" zone.

Thanks for the alternative recommendations! As per my user name, I am currently avoiding fat due to ongoing gallbladder issues. So I have a load of diet cookbooks and I just wanted to love PON! There are some recipes that are good, don't get me wrong, I just don't get the hype.

I can recommend looking on World of Books for old 80s and 90s cookbooks if anyone else needs to follow low fat!

I agree, tried a few recipes and there were a ridiculous amount of ingredients and steps. Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food is my favourite as they are straight forward, low effort meals.