Asda Budget-Smart Weekly Cheap Student Plan — 1,800 kcal

Free printable UK cheap student meal plan for Asda: 7 days at ~1,800 kcal/day, £30–40/week estimate, macros and shopping list.

SupermarketAsda
Calorie target~1800 kcal/day
Weekly budget£30–40
Prep difficultyStandard (20–30 min/day)
Best forStudents on a tight budget
DietAll diets

Estimated daily macros

Protein
120g
Carbs
160g
Fats
50g
Fibre
35g

Plan Quick Facts

Best forStudents on a tight budget
Calories~1800 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

1800 kcal174g protein
Breakfast465 kcal · 34g protein · 12 min

Eggs, Spinach and Mushroom on Toast

Made with eggs, baby spinach, mushrooms. Ready in 12 min — 465 kcal, 34g protein.

Recipe
  1. Toast or warm the bread, bagel, wrap, or pitta if preferred.
  2. Prepare the filling ingredients: Eggs 2, Baby spinach 60g, Mushrooms 120g, Wholemeal bread 2 slices, Olive oil 1.25 tsp.
  3. Layer the filling evenly, season to taste, and serve or wrap tightly for later.
Lunch527 kcal · 47g protein · 15 min

Tuna Niçoise Salad

Made with tinned tuna in spring water, new potatoes, eggs. Ready in 15 min — 527 kcal, 47g protein.

Recipe
  1. Wash and chop the salad or vegetable ingredients: Tinned tuna in spring water 180g, New potatoes 185g, Eggs 1, Green beans 100g, Cherry tomatoes 10, Olives 12.
  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.
Dinner624 kcal · 56g protein · 20 min

Chicken Stir-Fry with Wholewheat Noodles

Made with chicken breast, wholewheat noodles, broccoli. Ready in 20 min — 624 kcal, 56g protein.

Recipe
  1. Cook the pasta, rice, or noodles according to the packet instructions.
  2. Meanwhile, prepare the remaining ingredients: Chicken breast 220g, Wholewheat noodles 110g dry, Broccoli 185g, Soy sauce 2.5 tbsp, Sesame oil 1.25 tsp, Garlic 2 cloves.
  3. Combine in a pan or bowl, heat through, season, and portion into containers if needed.
Snack184 kcal · 37g protein · 5 min

Sliced Cooked Chicken Breast

Made with chicken breast. Ready in 5 min — 184 kcal, 37g protein.

Recipe
  1. Lay out the ingredients: Chicken breast 145g cooked.
  2. Drain, slice, or portion anything that needs preparing.
  3. Assemble in a bowl or container, season, and eat cold or microwave until hot if preferred.

Weekly Shopping List

Estimated cost: £30–40/week for one person from Asda.

Protein

  • Eggs 2
  • Tinned tuna in spring water 180g
  • Chicken breast 220g
  • Chicken breast 145g cooked
  • Green lentils 130g dry
  • Lean lamb mince 220g
  • Green lentils 125g
  • Turkey breast slices 100g
  • Turkey mince lean 190g
  • Chicken stock 105ml
  • Lean beef strips 210g
  • Tinned chickpeas 160g
  • Salmon fillet 190g
  • Firm tofu 235g

Carbs & Grains

  • Wholemeal bread 2 slices
  • New potatoes 185g
  • Wholewheat noodles 110g dry
  • Brown rice 105g dry
  • Baking potato 220g
  • Rice cakes 2
  • Rolled oats 65g
  • Wholemeal pasta 95g dry
  • Orzo pasta 70g dry
  • Rice noodles 95g dry
  • Oatcakes 5

Vegetables

  • Baby spinach 60g
  • Mushrooms 120g
  • Cherry tomatoes 10
  • Broccoli 185g
  • Sweet potato 260g
  • Tinned tomatoes 525g
  • Onion 1
  • Red pepper 1
  • Cucumber quarter grated
  • Carrot 1
  • Celery sticks 3
  • Sweetcorn 65g
  • Peas 85g
  • Courgette 1
  • Frozen peas 85g
  • Cucumber 55g
  • Celery 2 stalks
  • Spring onion 4
  • Peanuts 25g

Dairy & Eggs

  • Low-fat Greek yogurt 130g
  • Peanut butter 1 tbsp
  • Coconut milk light 250ml
  • Semi-skimmed milk 160ml
  • Low-fat natural yogurt 85g

Extras & Condiments

  • Olive oil 1.25 tsp
  • Green beans 100g
  • Olives 12
  • Soy sauce 2.5 tbsp
  • Sesame oil 1.25 tsp
  • Garlic 2 cloves
  • Tahini 25g
  • Lemon juice
  • Cumin 1.25 tsp
  • Mixed beans tinned 525g
  • Chilli powder 1.25 tsp
  • Garlic clove 3/4
  • Dill 1.25 tsp
  • Cauliflower 330g
  • Ginger 1 tsp
  • Garam masala 2.25 tsp
  • Banana 1
  • Vegetable stock 625ml
  • Curry paste 35g
  • Rye crackers 5
  • Mustard 1.25 tsp
  • Frozen stir-fry veg 210g
  • Walnuts 25g
  • Dried blueberries 20g
  • Apple 1 grated
  • Cinnamon 0.5 tsp
  • Mixed leaves 85g
  • Lemon dressing 15g
  • Almonds 20g
  • Parsley fresh
  • Beansprouts 115g
  • Tamari 2.25 tbsp
  • Lime juice
  • Reduced-fat cheddar 45g

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 cheap student plan cost per week?

This plan is designed for Asda 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?

Protein is balanced across the week. Most days provide 100–130g, which meets general UK dietary guidelines for active adults.

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 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 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.

Feedback

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