A 1,500 calorie meal plan is one of the most popular choices for weight loss in the UK. For most women and smaller-framed men, eating 1,500 calories per day creates a meaningful calorie deficit that supports steady fat loss of around 0.5–1 kg per week — without the hunger and fatigue that come with more extreme restriction. This guide gives you a complete, ready-to-use 7-day plan built around everyday UK supermarket ingredients.
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A 1,500 calorie target works well for people whose Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) sits between 1,800 and 2,200 calories — common for women aged 25–55 with moderate activity levels and lighter men. At 1,500 calories you create a deficit of 300–700 calories per day, which over a week amounts to 2,100–4,900 calories — enough to lose 0.3–0.7 kg of body fat. This plan prioritises protein (90–120 g per day) to keep you feeling full, preserve muscle mass, and support an active lifestyle.
Below is a sample week. Each day is planned to hit approximately 1,500 calories with a strong protein focus. Calorie and protein figures are estimates — weigh ingredients if you need precision. Use the free generator to get a freshly personalised version.
Monday
BreakfastOvernight Oats with Berries340 kcal · 14g protein · 5 min
Rolled oats soaked overnight in skimmed milk, topped with frozen berries and a drizzle of honey.
Prepare the ingredients: 175g chicken breast, 100g parsnips, 100g carrots.
Cook the main protein or vegetables in a pan over medium heat until cooked through.
Add the remaining ingredients, heat until piping hot, season to taste, and serve.
SnackProtein Shake200 kcal · 25g protein · 2 min
One scoop of unflavoured or vanilla protein powder mixed with water or skimmed milk.
Portions: 30g protein powder, 250ml skimmed milk
Recipe
Prepare the ingredients: 30g protein powder, 250ml skimmed milk.
Cook the main protein or vegetables in a pan over medium heat until cooked through.
Add the remaining ingredients, heat until piping hot, season to taste, and serve.
Daily total: 1500 kcal · 135g protein
Want this meal plan personalised?
Use the free AI meal plan generator to adapt this plan to your calories, protein target, budget, supermarket, dietary preferences, and foods you actually like.
Here is a sample shopping list to cover this 7-day plan. Estimated cost: £40–50 per week.
Protein
100g tinned tuna
150g chicken breast
2 eggs
80g red lentils (dry)
150g salmon fillet
150g turkey mince
80g kidney beans
120g king prawns
50g smoked salmon
150g cod fillet
100g turkey breast
1 egg
Carbs
60g oats
200g baked potato
40g brown rice (dry)
1 small roll (60g)
150g new potatoes
200g cauliflower rice
2 rice cakes (20g)
Vegetables
50g sweetcorn
40g spinach
100g carrots
150g broccoli
80g romaine lettuce
100g carrot sticks
½ avocado (60g)
100g cucumber
50g celery
50g leek
150g sweet potato
100g tomatoes
50g mushrooms
100g cherry tomatoes
100g parsnips
Dairy
200ml skimmed milk
200g Greek yogurt
1 tsp peanut butter
150g cottage cheese
1 high-protein yogurt pot (150g)
50g low-fat yogurt
Extras
80g frozen berries
1 tsp honey
200g mixed veg
80g blueberries
1 slice wholemeal toast (35g)
1 apple (150g)
20g almonds
1 banana
20ml light dressing
40g hummus
15g walnuts
80g mixed leaves
50g raita
100g green beans
80g pancake batter (2 pancakes)
80g berries
1 wholemeal wrap (60g)
150g lean sirloin steak
200g roasted veg
2 lean bacon rashers (60g)
1 slice toast
100g sliced steak
30g protein powder
Tips for Success
Weigh your portions for the first week to calibrate your eye. A digital kitchen scale costs under £10 and removes all guesswork.
Batch-cook proteins like chicken breast and hard-boiled eggs at the weekend so weekday lunches take under five minutes.
Keep low-calorie snacks visible in the fridge — Greek yogurt, carrot sticks, and cottage cheese are all under 200 kcal.
Drink 2–3 litres of water per day. Thirst is often mistaken for hunger.
If you are hungry, bulk up meals with non-starchy vegetables (spinach, cucumber, courgette) — they add volume for almost no calories.
Generate Your Free Personalised Plan
Our AI generator creates a personalised 1500 Calorie meal plan tailored to your preferred UK supermarket, dietary requirements, and cooking time. Free, no sign-up needed.
Meal plans are for general information only. Calories and protein are estimates. For medical conditions, pregnancy, eating disorders, or clinical dietary needs, speak to a qualified healthcare professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 1500 calories a day enough?
For most adults seeking weight loss, yes. 1,500 calories provides enough energy and nutrients when the diet is high in protein and includes a wide variety of vegetables. Active individuals or those over 90 kg may need to increase to 1,800 calories.
How much weight will I lose on 1500 calories?
Most people lose 0.5–1 kg per week on a 1,500 calorie diet, assuming their TDEE is around 2,000–2,200 calories. Results vary based on starting weight, activity level, and metabolic rate.
Can I swap meals around?
Absolutely. Each day is planned to hit the 1,500 calorie target, but you can mix and match days or repeat favourite days without issue.