Higher-Protein Weekly Cutting Phase Plan — 1,600 kcal

Free printable UK cutting phase meal plan for UK supermarkets: 7 days at ~1,600 kcal/day, £30–40/week estimate, macros and shopping list.

SupermarketAny UK supermarket
Calorie target~1600 kcal/day
Weekly budget£30–40
Prep difficultyStandard (20–30 min/day)
Best forAggressive calorie deficit while preserving lean muscle mass
DietAll diets

Estimated daily macros

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

Plan Quick Facts

Best forAggressive calorie deficit while preserving lean muscle mass
Calories~1600 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

1600 kcal94g protein
Breakfast406 kcal · 13g protein · 3 min

Bran Flakes with Semi-Skimmed Milk and Berries

Made with bran flakes, semi-skimmed milk, frozen mixed berries. Ready in 3 min — 406 kcal, 13g protein.

Recipe
  1. Add the base ingredients to a bowl: Bran Flakes 55g, Semi-skimmed milk 250ml, Frozen mixed berries 100g, Honey 1.25 tsp.
  2. Top with the fruit, nuts, seeds, or honey listed.
  3. Eat straight away, or cover and chill for later the same day.
Lunch521 kcal · 23g protein · 25 min

Green Lentil and Roasted Sweet Potato Bowl

Made with green lentils, sweet potato, baby spinach. Ready in 25 min — 521 kcal, 23g protein.

Recipe
  1. Wash and chop the salad or vegetable ingredients: Green lentils 125g dry, Sweet potato 250g, Baby spinach 75g, Tahini 25g, Lemon juice, Cumin 1.25 tsp.
  2. Cook or warm any protein or grains listed, then let them cool slightly.
  3. Combine everything in a bowl, season, and pack dressing separately if meal prepping.
Dinner673 kcal · 58g protein · 35 min

Chicken Tagine with Wholemeal Couscous

Made with chicken thighs, wholemeal couscous, tinned tomatoes. Ready in 35 min — 673 kcal, 58g protein.

Recipe
  1. Prepare the ingredients: Chicken thighs 280g, Wholemeal couscous 100g dry, Tinned tomatoes 250g, Tinned chickpeas 125g, Onion 1, Ras el hanout 2.5 tsp, Lemon 1.
  2. Cook the main protein or vegetables in a pan over medium heat until cooked through.
  3. Add the remaining ingredients, heat until piping hot, season to taste, and serve.

Weekly Shopping List

Estimated cost: £30–40/week for one person from Any UK supermarket.

Protein

  • Green lentils 125g dry
  • Chicken thighs 280g
  • Tinned chickpeas 125g
  • Tinned tuna in spring water 185g
  • Green lentils 140g
  • Firm tofu 280g
  • Turkey mince lean 215g
  • Chicken stock 120ml
  • Mackerel fillet 215g
  • Chicken breast 185g
  • Salmon fillet 205g
  • Red lentils 115g
  • Eggs 2 hard-boiled
  • Cod fillet 260g

Carbs & Grains

  • Baking potato 260g
  • Brown rice 130g dry
  • New potatoes 300g
  • Rolled oats 70g
  • Orzo pasta 70g dry
  • Wholemeal bread 3 slices

Vegetables

  • Sweet potato 250g
  • Baby spinach 75g
  • Tinned tomatoes 250g
  • Onion 1
  • Sweetcorn 75g
  • Mushrooms 260g
  • Frozen peas 130g
  • Courgette 1
  • Red pepper 1
  • Spring onion 4
  • Cherry tomatoes 9
  • Cucumber 60g
  • Broccoli 230g
  • Carrot 1
  • Celery 2 stalks

Dairy & Eggs

  • Semi-skimmed milk 250ml
  • Low-fat Greek yogurt 40g
  • Tinned coconut milk light 280ml
  • Oat milk 235ml

Extras & Condiments

  • Bran Flakes 55g
  • Frozen mixed berries 100g
  • Honey 1.25 tsp
  • Tahini 25g
  • Lemon juice
  • Cumin 1.25 tsp
  • Wholemeal couscous 100g dry
  • Ras el hanout 2.5 tsp
  • Lemon 1
  • Vegetable stock 775ml
  • Parmesan 25g
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Mixed frozen veg 280g
  • Curry paste 40g
  • Mustard dressing 25g
  • Watercress 45g
  • Mixed leaves 90g
  • Lemon dressing 15g
  • Olive oil 1.25 tbsp
  • Dill 1.25 tsp
  • Chia seeds 2.25 tsp
  • Maple syrup 1.25 tsp
  • Parsley fresh
  • Lean lamb shoulder 235g
  • Cinnamon 1.25 tsp
  • Light mayo 25g
  • Mustard 1.25 tsp
  • Green beans 195g
  • Parsley

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 cutting phase plan cost per week?

This plan is designed for any UK supermarket 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 cutting phase 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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