Vegetarian Cheap Student Meal Plan — 1,800 kcal
Students on a tight budget. This 7-day plan targets 1,800 kcal/day and averages 89g of protein, built from ingredients stocked at any major UK supermarket for an estimated £35–65/week. Protein comes from whole foods — eggs, dairy, pulses and tofu — rather than protein powders or bars, in line with the whole-food approach this plan takes throughout.
Plan summary
Individual days vary around these figures.
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Adjust Household PortionsCurrently 1 person · 1 cook portions
Your 7-Day Meal Plan
Monday
Banana and Date Smoothie Bowl with Seeds
Made with banana, medjool dates, oat milk.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 bananas
- 2 Medjool dates
- 80ml oat milk
- ¾ tbsp hemp seeds
- 15g low-sugar granola
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten. Check the label for: Milk, Tree nuts, Peanuts, Sesame, Soybeans, Sulphur dioxide and sulphites. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Put bananas, Medjool dates and oat milk in a blender, or in a jug if you are using a stick blender.
- Blend until completely smooth, adding a small splash of water or milk only if needed.
- Pour into a bowl and top with hemp seeds and low-sugar granola, then serve cold.
Vegetable Frittata Slice with Green Salad
Made with eggs, courgette, red pepper.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1 courgette
- 1 red pepper
- ½ onion
- ¾ tsp olive oil
- 2 generous handfuls mixed leaves (about 50g)
Allergens in this meal: Eggs. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Slice or chop courgette, red pepper and onion, then cook them in olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat until softened.
- Beat the eggs in a bowl and season lightly, then pour into the pan and cook over medium heat until just set, finishing under a hot grill until the top is firm.
- Season to taste and serve with mixed leaves.
Tofu and Vegetable Curry with Brown Rice
Made with firm tofu, tinned chickpeas, frozen mixed veg.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 150g firm tofu
- 80g chickpeas, drained
- 150g frozen mixed veg
- 150g light coconut milk
- 1 tbsp plus 2 tsp curry paste
- 60g brown rice (dry weight)
Allergens in this meal: Soybeans. Check the label for: Cereals containing gluten, Fish, Mustard, Tree nuts. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Drain and rinse chickpeas.
- Heat a large pan over medium heat and brown the tofu for 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in light coconut milk and curry paste, then add chickpeas and frozen mixed veg and simmer gently until tender and thickened.
- Meanwhile, cook the rice according to its packet instructions, then drain and serve alongside.
Pea Protein Green Smoothie
Made with pea protein powder, oat milk, spinach.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 25g pea protein powder
- 200ml oat milk
- 1 generous handful spinach (about 25g)
- 1 banana
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten. Check the label for: Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Put pea protein powder, oat milk, spinach and banana in a blender, or in a jug if you are using a stick blender.
- Blend until completely smooth, adding a small splash of water or milk only if needed.
- Pour into a glass or shaker and serve cold.
Weekly Shopping List
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Estimated cost: £35–65/week for 1 person from Generic UK supermarket. Calories and macros remain per person, while shopping quantities are scaled for the household.
Protein
Carbs & Grains
Vegetables
Dairy & Eggs
Fruit
Herbs & Spices
Condiments & Oils
Tins & Jars
Extras
Container setup for this plan
This plan has about 17 prep-friendly meals. Start with 9 main containers, 4 small sauce or snack tubs, and 2 freezer tubs.
Use 2 five-container glass packs to provide at least 9 main meal spaces, then add the separate small tubs shown above.
Best for regular weekday lunches, reheating at work, curry, chilli, pasta, and repeat washing.
- Material
- Glass
- Price and availability
- Check Amazon UK before buying
This plan includes saucy or reheated meals, so choose containers with secure, leak-resistant lids. If using plastic, check that it is suitable for reheating and follow the product instructions.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability can change on Amazon UK.
Plan Details and Assumptions
Generic UK Supermarket Shopping Evidence Notes
These basket notes explain why this plan is shaped around certain ingredients and swaps before you open the shopping list.
- Use common UK staples first: oats, rice, potatoes, pasta, eggs, tins, frozen vegetables, yogurt and lean protein.
- Keep branded products optional so the plan still works at Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Iceland, Waitrose, Ocado, M&S or Co-op.
- Check cupboard items before shopping because sauces, oil, spices, oats and rice are often already at home.
The Assumptions Behind This Plan
Every plan is built on four decisions. If one of them does not match your week, that is the part to change - the swaps below cover the common cases.
| Decision | This plan uses | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Calorie target | Built around roughly 1,800 kcal per day | Moderate targets balance breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks without extreme restriction. |
| Supermarket | Generic UK supermarket | Generic UK pages use widely available supermarket ingredients and average-price assumptions. |
| Budget | £35–65/week estimate | Very cheap plans repeat staples and avoid niche products. |
| Prep style | Low (10–20 min/day) | Low-effort plans keep daily cooking short while preserving enough variety. |
Shopping This Plan At Generic UK supermarket
Built from ingredients stocked by every major UK supermarket, using average UK pricing rather than one retailer.
What Generic UK supermarket is good for here
- Ingredients are chosen from staples that most UK supermarkets carry, so the plan should work wherever you shop, though ranges still vary by store.
- Easy to swap to a specific retailer later without changing the meals.
- Costs reflect a mid-market average rather than the cheapest or priciest store.
Worth knowing before you shop
- Shopping entirely at a discounter will usually come in below the estimate; a premium store above it.
- No loyalty-scheme pricing is assumed.
Retailer details checked 2026-07-20. Ranges and loyalty schemes change — the weekly cost estimate above is based on the plan's budget tier, not on live prices at this store.
Swaps & Suggestions
💰 Make it cheaper
- Buy own-brand rolled oats, rice, pasta and tins — nutritionally identical to branded, at any supermarket
- Buy dried pulses (lentils, chickpeas, black beans) and cook in bulk rather than tinned — cheaper per portion
- Swap fresh berries for frozen mixed berries (same nutrients, fraction of the cost)
- Add a couple of eggs or a portion of cottage cheese as a whole-food protein top-up
- Use 0% fat Greek yogurt or quark in place of standard yogurt — same volume, far more protein
💪 Increase protein
- Use extra eggs or cottage cheese as a whole-food protein top-up between meals
- Swap a processed snack for a handful of nuts and a boiled egg to keep protein whole-food
- Add a couple of eggs or a portion of cottage cheese as a whole-food protein top-up
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does this cheap student plan cost per week?
This plan is designed for a generic UK supermarket and is estimated at £35–65 per week for one person at typical UK prices, depending on what you already have at home. Buying in bulk and choosing own-brand items can reduce this further.
How much protein does this plan provide per day?
This plan averages 89g of protein per day across the week, based on the meals actually selected — in line with general UK guidance of roughly 0.8–1.6g per kg of bodyweight for active adults.
How is this different from a generic cheap student plan?
Plenty of cheap student plans share the same 1,800 kcal target — the difference here is that protein comes from whole foods throughout, with no reliance on powders or bars.
Can I print this cheap student meal plan or save it as a PDF?
Yes. Use the export / print PDF button on the plan page. The printable version summarises all 7 days at 1,800 kcal/day, the generic UK supermarket shopping list, and your chosen household portion sizes.
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 vegetarian eaters?
Yes. Every meal in this plan is vegetarian, using ingredients readily available from a generic UK supermarket.
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