Muscle building, at a higher daily calorie target. This 7-day plan targets 2,500 kcal/day and averages 173g of protein, built from ingredients stocked at any major UK supermarket for an estimated £60–100/week. Meals lean on lower-fat protein — chicken breast, white fish, egg whites, low-fat dairy — so each meal carries more protein for the calories it costs, leaving room to hit the day's target without relying on volume alone.
Adjust Household PortionsCurrently 1 person · 1 cook portions
Your 7-Day Meal Plan
Monday
2500 kcal per person193g protein · 259g carbs per person
Breakfast428 kcal · 32g protein · 53g carbs · 5 min
Cottage Cheese on Wholemeal Toast with Tomato
Made with cottage cheese, wholemeal bread, cherry tomatoes.
Recipe
Ingredients
175g cottage cheese
3 slices of wholemeal bread
7 cherry tomatoes
black pepper, to taste
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Milk. Check the label for: Sesame, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Toast or warm wholemeal bread.
Slice cherry tomatoes.
Layer cottage cheese, cherry tomatoes and black pepper, to taste evenly.
Lunch716 kcal · 52g protein · 87g carbs · 15 min
Tofu and Noodle Stir-Fry with Soy
Made with firm tofu, wholewheat noodles, broccoli.
Recipe
Ingredients
225g firm tofu
100g wholewheat noodles (dry weight)
½ small head of broccoli (about 125g)
2½ tbsp soy sauce
1¼ tsp ginger
3 garlic cloves
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Soybeans. Check the label for: Eggs. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Cook the noodles according to their packet instructions, then drain if needed.
Heat a wok or large frying pan over high heat and stir-fry the tofu for 3-4 minutes, until browned and cooked through.
Add a small head of broccoli and stir-fry over high heat for 3-4 minutes, keeping everything moving so it stays crisp.
Stir in soy sauce, toss to coat and serve with the noodles.
Dinner700 kcal · 49g protein · 54g carbs · 20 min
Grilled Mackerel with Warm Potato Salad
Made with mackerel fillet, new potatoes, spring onion.
Recipe
Ingredients
225g mackerel fillet
300g new potatoes
4 spring onions
lemon juice, to taste
1 tbsp plus 2 tsp mustard dressing
2 generous handfuls watercress (about 50g)
Allergens in this meal: Fish, Mustard. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Boil the new potatoes in lightly salted water until tender, then drain and cool slightly.
Cook the mackerel fillet under a hot grill or on a hot griddle pan for 3-4 minutes per side, until opaque and it flakes easily. Add spring onions for the final minute and cook until fragrant.
Rinse and dry watercress.
Arrange mackerel fillet, new potatoes and watercress in a bowl and finish with mustard dressing and lemon juice, to taste. Keep the dressing separate if packing ahead.
Snack351 kcal · 19g protein · 45g carbs · 5 min
Roasted Spiced Chickpeas
Made with tinned chickpeas, smoked paprika, cumin.
Recipe
Ingredients
1 standard tin of chickpeas, drained
1¼ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp cumin
1¼ tsp olive oil
Method
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan).
Drain and rinse the chickpeas, then pat them dry with kitchen paper.
Toss with the olive oil, smoked paprika and cumin, spread on a baking tray in a single layer and roast for 25-30 minutes, shaking halfway, until crisp.
Leave to cool on the tray; they crisp up further as they cool.
Snack305 kcal · 41g protein · 20g carbs · 3 min
Chocolate Protein Shake
Made with whey protein powder, semi-skimmed milk.
Recipe
Ingredients
40g whey protein powder
350ml semi-skimmed milk
Allergens in this meal: Milk. Check the label for: Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Pour the semi-skimmed milk into a shaker, add the whey protein powder and shake hard for 20-30 seconds until smooth.
Estimated cost: £60–100/week for 1 person from Generic UK supermarket. Calories and macros remain per person, while shopping quantities are scaled for the household.
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Protein
Carbs & Grains
Vegetables
Dairy & Eggs
Fruit
Herbs & Spices
Condiments & Oils
Extras
Sponsored #ad - container setup
Container setup for this plan
This plan has about 16 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.
RecommendedMid-range glass setup
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.
The One Tool This Plan Assumes
The protein and calorie figures on this plan are calculated from weighed portions. Estimating by eye is where most high-protein plans quietly drift, so a set of digital scales is the difference between following this plan and approximating it. Any scale works — this is simply a cheap, accurate one.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability can change on Amazon UK.
Kitchen scaleBudget
Salter Arc Digital Kitchen Scale
A slim, add-and-weigh digital scale with a 3kg capacity, useful for portioning rice, protein and vegetables precisely rather than guessing by eye.
Best forWeighing portions accurately for calorie or macro tracking
Good to knowNo liquid measurement mode; for sauces and liquids, a scale with an Aquatronic function is more useful.
Built from ingredients stocked by every major UK supermarket, using average UK pricing rather than one retailer.
Value rangeOwn-brand equivalents at any major 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
Replace fresh salmon with tinned mackerel or sardines in brine (saves ~£2–3/week)
Buy dried pulses (lentils, chickpeas, black beans) and cook in bulk rather than tinned — cheaper per portion
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)
💪 Increase protein
Add extra egg whites (3–4) to a breakfast instead of whole eggs — protein without the extra fat
Swap a carb portion for extra chicken breast or white fish on higher-hunger days
Use 0% fat Greek yogurt or quark instead of standard yogurt for the same volume, far more protein
🥦 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 muscle gain plan cost per week?
This plan is designed for a generic UK supermarket and is estimated at £60–100 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 173g of protein per day across the week, based on the meals actually selected — well above general UK guidance of roughly 0.8–1.6g per kg of bodyweight for active adults.
How is this different from a generic muscle gain plan?
Plenty of muscle gain plans share the same 2,500 kcal target — the difference here is that the meal selection is biased toward lower-fat protein sources rather than just hitting a protein number however it can.
Can I print this muscle gain 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 2,500 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 beginners?
Yes. Recipes are rated Standard (20–30 min/day) and use ingredients available at a generic UK supermarket — no specialist equipment or advanced technique is needed.
