Log onto LIFELINE ONLINE and see this article in it's full glory with pictures! A Slimming World Cup!

Whether you’re excitedly flying flags outside your door and learning the lines to Vindaloo, or you’re considering hibernating for the summer and forgetting all about football, you can’t escape the World Cup! And as a Food Optimiser there’s no better way to celebrate than with delicious food that helps you score one weight loss goal after another!

Whichever country you’ll be supporting, there’s a sumptuous snack to feast on throughout the whole nail-biting competition. So clutch your clacker, bag your place in front of the TV and enjoy a Slimming World cup with these football-friendly snacks!

England
As English as the game itself you can’t beat Scotch eggs (contrary to popular belief, they’re not Scottish at all!) and we’ve got a clever version of the classic that’s perfect for a soccer snack. Enjoy a snack of two halves, along with the game!
Scotch eggs
Serves: 4Syns per serving: Free on Extra Easy* and Original* *Add 6 Syns if not using the breadcrumbs as a Healthy Extra ‘b’ choiceReady in about 45 minutes plus 6-8 hours chilling time
4 eggs A small handful each of fresh parsley and chives1lb 6oz/624g lean minced chicken1 tsp dried mixed herbs1 tsp mild curry powderSalt and freshly ground black pepper8oz/227g wholemeal bread made into breadcrumbsFry light
Place 3 eggs into a pan of cold water and bring to the boil. Cook for 7-8 minutes. Meanwhile, finely chop the fresh herbs. Drain the eggs, cool in cold water, shell and then chop.
Place fresh herbs, mince, dried herbs and curry powder in a bowl and season. Use your hands to mix it together.
Divide the mixture into 16 balls and flatten each one. Place ½ tsp of the egg mixture into the centre of each portion, form a ball and press to seal. Place on a tray, cover and chill for 6-8 hours.
Preheat the oven to 190ºC/Gas 5. Beat the last egg and brush each ball with it. Roll each ball in the breadcrumbs and place on a non-stick baking tray lined with baking parchment. Spray balls with Fry Light and bake for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.

Germany
They think it’s all over… it is for traditional high-Syn snacks like bratwurst. Instead, tuck into a completely Free Food Optimising frankfurter!
Food Optimising frankfurter
Serves: 1Syns per serving: Free on Extra Easy*, Green* and Original**Add 6 Syns if not using the bread roll as a Healthy Extra ‘b’ choiceReady in about 20 minutes
½ onionFry Light1floz/28ml stock made with Vecon1 Quorn sausage2oz/57g wholemeal roll 1 level tbsp tomato ketchup to serve (optional)
Peel and slice the onion into rings. Spray a large non-stick frying pan with Fry Light. Sauté the onion over a low heat for 5-6 minutes. Add the stock and continue to cook for 10-12 minutes, until the onions are tender. Grill the sausage under a medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side until cooked through. Split the roll lengthways and spoon in the onion mixture. Top with the sausage and drizzle over the ketchup (count 1 Syn per tbsp).

France
These mushrooms are fab for a football feast - even France legend Zinedine Zidane would approve of the zestiness! Serve these warm mushrooms on top of your Healthy Extra allowance of toasted bread, or as a topper for jacket spuds.
French-style mushrooms
Serves: 4Syns per serving: Free Ready in about 20 minutes
4 garlic cloves1lb/454g mushroomsSalt and freshly ground black pepperFry LightFinely grated zest of 1 lemon 4 tbsp freshly chopped parsley1 tbsp freshly chopped tarragon
Peel and finely chop the garlic and thickly slice the mushrooms. Season well and fry in a hot pan sprayed with Fry Light for 6-8 minutes, stirring often, until the mushrooms are lightly browned.
Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon zest and chopped herbs. Mix well and serve immediately with 57g wholemeal bread, toasted (Healthy Extra ‘b’ choice).

Spain
What could make a better accompaniment to Spain’s first fixture (on the 16th June) than traditional Spanish omelette? Thick slices of potato and pepper-filled wedges are the perfect partner – they’re even the same colours as the Spanish flag!
Spanish omelette
Heat a non-stick frying pan until hot and add sliced peppers and onion. Stir fry over a high heat for 4-5 minutes until tender. Add sliced cooked potatoes and pour in some beaten eggs. Keep stirring the set egg from around the sides into the centre of the pan until it sets all over. Place the pan under a grill for 1-2 minutes until the top of the omelette is golden. Cut into wedges and serve.

Italy
While you’re waiting for ‘gooooaaaaaalaccio!’(As the Italian goal celebration goes), this snack is perfect for picking. Traditional antipasti can be high in Syns, with cured meats and veg soaked in olive oil - this Food Optimising version has all the taste, without the Syns…
Antipasti snack plate
On a large plate arrange slices of Prosciutto (½ Syn per slice on Extra Easy/Original), slices of ham, chunks of mozzarella or feta (42g is a Healthy Extra ‘a’ choice, roasted peppers, cherry tomatoes, fresh melon, figs and olives (8 olives is 1 Syn)

Greece
You’ll be the Greek God/Goddess of the kitchen with this easy-to-make snack. Enjoy piles of Superfree cucumber, celery, peppers and carrots with this houmous dip and munch away until the final whistle!
Homemade houmous
Make a houmous dip by blending chickpeas, garlic cloves, fat free natural fromage frais, lemon juice, 1 tsp olive oil (2 Syns), salt and pepper.

Japan
Celebrate the land of the rising sun’s footie fixture with these spicy sticks. If the weather’s up to it, they’re perfect on the barbecue.
Teriyaki prawn sticks
Makes: 20 Syns per 3 sticks: ½ Syn on Extra Easy & Original, 2 Syns on Green
Peel 20 raw tiger prawns leaving their tails intact and place in a bowl. Mix in 1 tsp sesame oil, 2 tbsp teriyaki marinade and ½ tsp hot chilli powder. Trim 4 spring onions and cut each into 5 pieces. Trim 5 baby corn and cut into 4 pieces. Thread a prawn with a piece of spring onion and corn onto 20 cocktail sticks and cook under a hot grill, turning once, for 2-3 minutes until the prawns are pink. Serve hot.

USA
The USA team face England as their first fixture, so you may not fancy devoting your footie snack to the American side! However, these loaded potato skins are tempting and tasty enough to enjoy no matter which way your loyalties lie!
Loaded potato skins
Cut potatoes into quarters and place in a pan of boiling water for 5-6 minutes. Remove the potatoes and cool, then scoop out the flesh from each quarter, leaving a 1cm thick layer. Place the potato wedges, skin side down, on a baking sheet. Mix chopped spring onions and tomatoes with dried herbs and spoon into the potato quarters. Grate mozzarella cheese (42g is a Healthy Extra ‘a’ choice) over the top and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes. Make a dip by mixing together fat free natural fromage frais, grated garlic and chopped parsley.

Mexico
Rather than high-Syn nachos or quesadillas, make a pass for this guacamole-style dip that goes perfectly with vegetable crudités. It’s so tasty you’ll be hoping for extra time!
Guacamole style dip
Mix avocado (average each 13½ Syns) with quark skimmed milk soft cheese, lemon juice, chopped tomato, spring onion and a few drops of Tabasco. Serve with plenty of crisp dipping vegetables like peppers, celery, radishes and cucumber.
You could also create a salsa dip by mixing chopped tomatoes, garlic, red onion, red chillies, red pepper, lime juice and coriander.

ENJOY!
Urs xxx