Vegetarian High-Protein Cheap Student Plan — 1,800 kcal

Free 7-day Vegetarian cheap student meal plan for UK. Targets ~1800 kcal/day with a full shopping list, macro breakdown, and AI meal swaps — no sign-up needed.

SupermarketAny UK supermarket
Calorie target~1800 kcal/day
Weekly budget£20–30
Prep difficultyStandard (20–30 min/day)
Best forStudents on a tight budget
DietVegetarian

Estimated daily macros

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

Your 7-Day Meal Plan

Monday

1290 kcal73g protein
Breakfast320 kcal · 11g protein · 7 min

Oat Porridge with Berries

Made with rolled oats, oat milk, frozen mixed berries. Ready in 7 min — 320 kcal, 11g protein.

Lunch380 kcal · 28g protein · 20 min

Cottage Cheese and Roasted Vegetable Bowl

Made with cottage cheese, courgette, red pepper. Ready in 20 min — 380 kcal, 28g protein.

Dinner440 kcal · 22g protein · 25 min

Three-Bean Vegetable Chilli with Brown Rice

Made with mixed beans tinned, tinned tomatoes, onion. Ready in 25 min — 440 kcal, 22g protein.

Snack150 kcal · 12g protein · 5 min

Frozen Edamame Beans with Sea Salt

Made with frozen edamame beans, sea salt pinch. Ready in 5 min — 150 kcal, 12g protein.

Weekly Shopping List

Estimated cost: £20–30/week for one person from Any UK supermarket.

Protein

  • Firm tofu 200g
  • Eggs 3
  • Green lentils 100g cooked

Carbs & Grains

  • Rolled oats 80g
  • Wholemeal pitta 1
  • Brown rice 80g dry
  • Rice noodles 80g dry

Vegetables

  • Courgette 1 roasted
  • Red pepper 1 roasted
  • Cherry tomatoes 8
  • Tinned tomatoes 400g
  • Onion 1
  • Spinach 30g
  • Carrot 1
  • Celery 2 stalks
  • Cucumber 60g
  • Spring onion 3
  • Peanuts 20g
  • Tomato 1
  • Baby spinach 150g
  • Pea protein powder 30g

Dairy & Eggs

  • Oat milk 300ml
  • Cottage cheese 200g
  • Peanut butter 30g
  • Halloumi 80g
  • Low-fat Greek yogurt 150g
  • Coconut milk light 200ml

Extras & Condiments

  • Frozen mixed berries 80g
  • Mixed herbs 1 tsp
  • Chilli powder 1 tsp
  • Cumin 1 tsp
  • Sea salt pinch
  • Hummus 80g
  • Curry paste 30g
  • Honey 1 tbsp
  • Chia seeds 1 tsp
  • Vegetable stock 500ml
  • Reduced-fat feta 60g
  • Olive oil 1 tsp
  • Pomegranate seeds 30g
  • Lemon dressing 15g
  • Beansprouts 100g
  • Tamari 2 tbsp
  • Lime juice
  • Smoked paprika 1 tsp
  • Light mayo 20g
  • Watercress 30g
  • Mustard 1 tsp
  • Soy sauce 2 tbsp
  • Sesame oil 1 tsp
  • Turmeric 0.5 tsp
  • Falafel 4 baked
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Ginger 1 tsp
  • Garam masala 2 tsp
  • Banana 1

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)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does this cheap student plan cost per week?

This plan is designed for any UK supermarket and typically costs £20–30 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.

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 any UK supermarket.