Maximum protein on a tight budget. This 7-day plan targets 1,800 kcal/day and averages 144g of protein, built around Asda's Just Essentials (formerly Smartprice) for an estimated £65–95/week. Both protein and carbohydrate run high in this plan — it is built for training performance and recovery, not calorie restriction, so there is no need to trade one macro off against the other.
Adjust Household PortionsCurrently 1 person · 1 cook portions
Your 7-Day Meal Plan
Monday
1801 kcal per person127g protein · 254g carbs per person
Breakfast419 kcal · 26g protein · 39g carbs · 12 min
Eggs, Spinach and Mushroom on Toast
Made with eggs, baby spinach, mushrooms.
Recipe
Ingredients
2 eggs
2 generous handfuls baby spinach (about 50g)
90g mushrooms
2 slices of wholemeal bread
1 tsp olive oil
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Eggs. Check the label for: Sesame, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Slice or chop baby spinach and mushrooms, then cook them in olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat until softened.
Beat the eggs in a bowl, then add them to the pan and cook over medium heat, stirring gently until softly set.
Toast wholemeal bread, then serve with the eggs.
Lunch595 kcal · 51g protein · 73g carbs · 20 min
Chicken, Broccoli and Brown Rice Prep Bowl
Made with chicken breast, broccoli, brown rice.
Recipe
Ingredients
175g chicken breast
¾ small head of broccoli (about 200g)
80g brown rice (dry weight)
2 garlic cloves
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp olive oil
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Cook the rice according to its packet instructions, then drain and cool slightly.
Cook the chicken breast in a non-stick pan over medium heat until cooked through. Add garlic for the final minute and cook until fragrant. Rest briefly before slicing if needed.
Slice or chop a small head of broccoli.
Arrange chicken breast, a small head of broccoli and the cooked brown rice in a bowl and finish with soy sauce and olive oil.
Dinner581 kcal · 30g protein · 114g carbs · 40 min
Mushroom and Lentil Shepherd's Pie
Made with green lentils tinned, mushrooms, onion.
Recipe
Ingredients
¾ of a standard tin of green lentils, drained
200g mushrooms
1 onion
2 carrot
225g sweet potato mash
200ml vegetable stock
Check the label for: Celery, Cereals containing gluten, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan).
Cook green lentils, mushrooms, onion and carrot in a pan over medium heat until softened and hot through.
Add vegetable stock and simmer for 8-10 minutes, until the filling has thickened and is no longer loose.
Season the filling, then tip it into an ovenproof dish and level the surface.
Spread the sweet potato mash evenly over the top, right to the edges so the filling is sealed in, and rough up the surface with a fork.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbling at the edges. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Snack206 kcal · 20g protein · 28g carbs · 5 min
Tuna on Rye Crackers
Made with tinned tuna in spring water, rye crackers, lemon juice.
Recipe
Ingredients
¾ of a standard tin of tuna, drained
4 rye crackers
1 tsp lemon juice
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Fish. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Drain tuna.
Top rye crackers with tuna and lemon juice and serve.
Estimated cost: £65–95/week for 1 person from Asda. 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 19 prep-friendly meals. Start with 10 main containers, 4 small sauce or snack tubs, and 2 freezer tubs.
Use 2 five-container glass packs to provide at least 10 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.
Typically the cheapest of the big four on a like-for-like basket, with a genuinely low economy tier.
Value rangeJust Essentials (formerly Smartprice)
Loyalty pricingAsda Rewards (cashback to a wallet rather than instant discounts)
What Asda is good for here
Just Essentials is usually the lowest-priced option in its category, which suits very cheap weeks.
Large multipack meat and frozen ranges that suit bulk batch cooking.
Good value on rice, pasta, oats and tinned pulses — the backbone of a budget prep plan.
Worth knowing before you shop
Just Essentials lines sell out quickly and availability is inconsistent.
Rewards pays into a wallet rather than reducing the shop at the till, so it will not lower this week's bill.
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 Asda's Just Essentials (formerly Smartprice) range for rice, pasta, oats and tins — nutritionally identical to standard lines, at the lowest price point in store
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 a post-workout combination of fast carbs and protein (banana and whey, or chocolate milk) after harder sessions
Use an extra portion of chicken, fish or tofu on higher-training days rather than cutting carbs to make room
Greek yogurt with fruit and granola covers both protein and carb needs in one snack
🥦 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 cheap high protein plan cost per week?
This plan is designed for Asda and is estimated at £65–95 per week for one person at typical UK prices, depending on what you already have at home. Asda Rewards (cashback to a wallet rather than instant discounts) can reduce this further.
How much protein does this plan provide per day?
This plan averages 144g 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 cheap high protein plan?
Plenty of cheap high protein plans share the same 1,800 kcal target — the difference here is that both protein and carbs are set high together, rather than trading one off against the other.
Can I print this cheap high protein 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 Asda 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 Asda — no specialist equipment or advanced technique is needed.
