Aldi Protein-Focused Budget Bodybuilding Plan — 3,500 kcal

Free printable UK budget bodybuilding meal plan for Aldi: 7 days at ~3,500 kcal/day, £30–40/week estimate, macros and shopping list.

SupermarketAldi
Calorie target~3500 kcal/day
Weekly budget£30–40
Prep difficultyStandard (20–30 min/day)
Best forBudget-focused muscle building
DietAll diets

Estimated daily macros

Protein
160g
Carbs
150g
Fats
55g
Fibre
30g

Plan Quick Facts

Best forBudget-focused muscle building
Calories~3500 kcal/day
Budget£30–40/week estimate
Prep styleStandard (20–30 min/day)
Includes7 days, recipes, macros, PDF export and shopping list
DietAll diets

Export This Meal Plan as a PDF

Print this 7-day meal plan or save it as a PDF. The printable meal plan summary includes every meal, daily calories, protein totals and the full weekly shopping list.

7-day meal plan

Weekly shopping list

Your 7-Day Meal Plan

Monday

3500 kcal140g protein
Breakfast556 kcal · 13g protein · 5 min

Smashed Avocado on Rye Toast with Cherry Tomatoes

Made with rye bread, avocado, cherry tomatoes. Ready in 5 min — 556 kcal, 13g protein.

Recipe
  1. Toast or warm the bread, bagel, wrap, or pitta if preferred.
  2. Prepare the filling ingredients: Rye bread 4 slices, Avocado 1, Cherry tomatoes 11, Lemon juice 1.75 tsp, Chilli flakes pinch.
  3. Layer the filling evenly, season to taste, and serve or wrap tightly for later.
Lunch700 kcal · 36g protein · 10 min

Egg Mayo Sandwich on Wholemeal

Made with eggs, light mayo, wholemeal bread. Ready in 10 min — 700 kcal, 36g protein.

Recipe
  1. Toast or warm the bread, bagel, wrap, or pitta if preferred.
  2. Prepare the filling ingredients: Eggs 2 hard-boiled, Light mayo 35g, Wholemeal bread 4 slices, Watercress 55g, Mustard 1.75 tsp.
  3. Layer the filling evenly, season to taste, and serve or wrap tightly for later.
Dinner682 kcal · 25g protein · 30 min

Butternut Squash and Lentil Soup with Bread

Made with butternut squash, red lentils, onion. Ready in 30 min — 682 kcal, 25g protein.

Recipe
  1. Prep the listed ingredients: Butternut squash 725g, Red lentils 180g, Onion 2, Garlic 4 cloves, Vegetable stock 1250ml, Wholemeal roll 2.
  2. Cook the protein and firmer vegetables in a pan for 5-8 minutes.
  3. Add sauces, tins, stock, or pulses from the ingredient list and simmer until hot and thickened.
Snack431 kcal · 14g protein · 2 min

Oat Biscuits with Peanut Butter

Made with oat biscuits, peanut butter. Ready in 2 min — 431 kcal, 14g protein.

Recipe
  1. Lay out the ingredients: Oat biscuits 7, Peanut butter 1.75 tbsp.
  2. Drain, slice, or portion anything that needs preparing.
  3. Assemble in a bowl or container, season, and eat cold or microwave until hot if preferred.
Snack503 kcal · 14g protein · 1 min

Mixed Nuts and Dried Fruit

Made with mixed nuts, raisins. Ready in 1 min — 503 kcal, 14g protein.

Recipe
  1. Lay out the ingredients: Mixed nuts 55g, Raisins 35g.
  2. Drain, slice, or portion anything that needs preparing.
  3. Assemble in a bowl or container, season, and eat cold or microwave until hot if preferred.
Snack341 kcal · 29g protein · 5 min

Light Mozzarella and Tomato

Made with light mozzarella, beef tomato, basil leaves. Ready in 5 min — 341 kcal, 29g protein.

Recipe
  1. Lay out the ingredients: Light mozzarella 180g, Beef tomato 2, Basil leaves, Balsamic glaze 1.75 tsp.
  2. Drain, slice, or portion anything that needs preparing.
  3. Assemble in a bowl or container, season, and eat cold or microwave until hot if preferred.
Snack287 kcal · 9g protein · 3 min

Almond Butter with Celery Sticks

Made with almond butter, celery sticks. Ready in 3 min — 287 kcal, 9g protein.

Recipe
  1. Lay out the ingredients: Almond butter 1.75 tbsp, Celery sticks 7.
  2. Drain, slice, or portion anything that needs preparing.
  3. Assemble in a bowl or container, season, and eat cold or microwave until hot if preferred.

Weekly Shopping List

Estimated cost: £30–40/week for one person from Aldi.

Protein

  • Eggs 2 hard-boiled
  • Red lentils 180g
  • Beef tomato 2
  • Chicken tikka 250g
  • Turkey sausages 7
  • Smoked salmon 135g
  • Turkey mince lean 330g
  • King prawns 370g
  • Firm tofu 300g
  • Chicken breast 330g
  • Salmon fillet 240g
  • Tinned sardines in spring water 145g
  • Tinned mackerel in brine 205g
  • Tinned tuna in spring water 260g
  • Tinned chickpeas 270g
  • Lean lamb mince 360g

Carbs & Grains

  • Rye bread 4 slices
  • Wholemeal bread 4 slices
  • Wholemeal roll 2
  • Oat biscuits 7
  • Wholemeal tortilla 2
  • Wholemeal pasta 165g dry
  • Rolled oats 90g
  • Brown rice 130g dry
  • New potatoes 320g
  • Wholewheat noodles 145g dry

Vegetables

  • Avocado 1
  • Cherry tomatoes 11
  • Onion 2
  • Celery sticks 7
  • Avocado 3/4
  • Lettuce 65g
  • Cucumber 85g
  • Tinned tomatoes 675g
  • Celery 3 stalks
  • Pea protein powder 50g
  • Spinach 50g
  • Romaine lettuce leaves 7
  • Spring onion 4
  • Carrot grated 90g
  • Broccoli 330g
  • Cucumber 3/4
  • Red onion 3/4
  • Red pepper 2
  • Red onion 1
  • Peas 140g

Dairy & Eggs

  • Butternut squash 725g
  • Peanut butter 1.75 tbsp
  • Light mozzarella 180g
  • Almond butter 1.75 tbsp
  • Mint yogurt sauce 50g
  • Oat milk 410ml
  • Light cream cheese 50g
  • Skyr 280g
  • Low-fat Greek yogurt 245g
  • Semi-skimmed milk 320ml
  • Cottage cheese 270g

Extras & Condiments

  • Lemon juice 1.75 tsp
  • Chilli flakes pinch
  • Light mayo 35g
  • Watercress 55g
  • Mustard 1.75 tsp
  • Garlic 4 cloves
  • Vegetable stock 1250ml
  • Mixed nuts 55g
  • Raisins 35g
  • Basil leaves
  • Balsamic glaze 1.75 tsp
  • Paprika 1.75 tsp
  • Banana 3/4
  • Rye crackers 5
  • Hoisin sauce 35g
  • Sesame seeds 1.75 tsp
  • Olive oil 1.75 tbsp
  • Basil fresh
  • Honey 1.75 tbsp
  • Chia seeds 1.75 tsp
  • Roasted mixed veg 245g
  • Tahini 35g
  • Reduced-fat crème fraîche 130g
  • Reduced-fat cheddar 50g
  • Frozen mixed berries 130g
  • Apple 2
  • Walnuts 35g
  • Green beans 160g
  • Lemon 2
  • Soy sauce 3.25 tbsp
  • Sesame oil 1.5 tsp
  • Dark chocolate 70% 50g
  • Almonds 30g
  • Banana 2
  • Lemon dressing 25g
  • Mixed beans tinned 650g
  • Chilli powder 1.5 tsp
  • Cumin 1.5 tsp
  • Cauliflower 525g
  • Ginger 1.75 tsp
  • Garam masala 3.5 tsp

Swaps & Suggestions

💰 Make it cheaper

  • Replace fresh salmon with tinned mackerel or sardines in brine (saves ~£2–3/week)
  • Buy store-brand rolled oats, rice, and pasta — nutritionally identical to branded
  • Use frozen chicken breast instead of fresh (saves ~£1.50/week, same protein)
  • Swap fresh berries for frozen mixed berries (same nutrients, fraction of the cost)
  • Buy pulses (lentils, chickpeas, black beans) dried and cook in bulk

💪 Increase protein

  • Add a scoop of unflavoured whey or plant protein to porridge or smoothies
  • Replace rice or pasta with extra protein (an additional chicken breast or 2 boiled eggs)
  • Use Skyr or Quark instead of standard yogurt (roughly 2× the protein)
  • Add a hard-boiled egg as an afternoon snack on rest days
  • Swap rice cakes or crackers for a protein bar (aim for 20g+ protein, under 200 kcal)

🥦 Make it vegetarian

  • Replace chicken with Quorn fillets or diced firm tofu
  • Swap beef mince for tinned green lentils or plant-based mince
  • Use halloumi or feta instead of meat in lunch salads
  • Substitute eggs or cottage cheese for fish-based meals

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does this budget bodybuilding plan cost per week?

This plan is designed for Aldi and typically costs £30–40 per week for one person, depending on what you already have at home. Buying in bulk, choosing own-brand items, and batch cooking can reduce the cost further.

How much protein does this plan provide per day?

This is a high-protein plan. Most days target 140–180g of protein, which supports muscle retention during a calorie deficit and helps manage hunger.

Can I swap meals I don't like?

Yes. Use the AI edit button on any meal to swap it out. Common requests include swapping chicken for turkey, replacing salmon with tinned tuna, or making a day vegetarian. The shopping list updates automatically.

Can I print this budget bodybuilding meal plan or save it as a PDF?

Yes. Use the export / print PDF button on the plan page. The printable version summarises the full 7-day meal plan and includes the weekly shopping list.

Is this plan suitable for meal prep?

Most recipes in this plan scale well and reheat easily. Soups, stews, and grain dishes are ideal for making in larger batches to save time midweek.

Is this plan suitable for beginners?

Yes. The meals use widely available ingredients and straightforward cooking methods. No specialist equipment or culinary experience is needed.

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