Asda Vegetarian Cheap Student Plan — 1,800 kcal
Students on a tight budget. This 7-day plan targets 1,800 kcal/day and averages 95g of protein, built around Asda's Just Essentials (formerly Smartprice) for an estimated £35–60/week. Protein comes from whole foods — eggs, dairy, pulses and tofu — rather than protein powders or bars, in line with the whole-food approach this plan takes throughout.
Plan summary
Individual days vary around these figures.
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Adjust Household PortionsCurrently 1 person · 1 cook portions
Your 7-Day Meal Plan
Monday
Wholemeal Pancakes with Low-Fat Yogurt
Made with wholemeal flour, eggs, semi-skimmed milk.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 70g wholemeal flour
- 2 eggs
- 125ml semi-skimmed milk
- 90g low-fat yogurt
- 50g blueberries
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Eggs, Milk. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Whisk wholemeal flour, eggs and semi-skimmed milk into a smooth batter and leave it to stand for 2 minutes.
- Lightly grease a non-stick pan, then cook small pancakes for 1-2 minutes per side.
- Serve with low-fat yogurt and blueberries.
Miso Tofu and Edamame Bowl
Made with silken tofu, edamame beans, brown rice.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 125g silken tofu
- 90g edamame beans
- 70g brown rice (dry weight)
- 1 tbsp miso paste
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Sesame, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Cook the brown rice according to its packet instructions.
- Cook the edamame beans in boiling water for 3-4 minutes, then drain.
- Mix the miso paste and soy sauce with a tablespoon of hot water to make a dressing.
- Cut the silken tofu gently into cubes; it is too delicate to fry. Arrange the rice, edamame and tofu in a bowl, spoon over the dressing and scatter with sesame seeds.
Mushroom and Pea Brown Rice Risotto
Made with brown rice, mushrooms, frozen peas.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 90g brown rice (dry weight)
- 175g mushrooms
- 90g frozen peas
- 1 onion
- 525ml vegetable stock
- 20g parmesan
- 2 garlic cloves
Allergens in this meal: Milk. Check the label for: Celery, Cereals containing gluten, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Soften the onion and garlic in a wide pan over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, then add the sliced mushrooms and cook until golden.
- Stir in the brown rice and cook for 1 minute so the grains are coated.
- Add the hot vegetable stock a ladleful at a time, stirring often and letting each addition be absorbed before adding the next. Brown rice takes about 35-40 minutes to become tender and creamy.
- Stir in the frozen peas for the last 3-4 minutes, then take the pan off the heat, stir through the parmesan and season to taste.
Apple with Walnuts
Made with apple, walnuts.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 apple
- 20g walnuts
Allergens in this meal: Tree nuts. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Slice or portion apple as needed.
- Combine apple and walnuts in a bowl or lidded container.
Weekly Shopping List
Need containers for this batch? Compare meal prep containers →
Estimated cost: £35–60/week for 1 person from Asda. Calories and macros remain per person, while shopping quantities are scaled for the household.
Protein
Carbs & Grains
Vegetables
Dairy & Eggs
Fruit
Herbs & Spices
Condiments & Oils
Tins & Jars
Extras
Container setup for this plan
This plan has about 17 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.
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.
Plan Details and Assumptions
Asda Shopping Evidence Notes
These basket notes explain why this plan is shaped around certain ingredients and swaps before you open the shopping list.
- Best for larger weekly shops, family-style staples, freezer options and value packs that can be portioned.
- Works well for 1800-2500 kcal plans where bigger carbohydrate and protein portions are needed.
- Check multipacks and frozen ranges before buying many single fresh items.
The Assumptions Behind This Plan
Every plan is built on four decisions. If one of them does not match your week, that is the part to change - the swaps below cover the common cases.
| Decision | This plan uses | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Calorie target | Built around roughly 1,800 kcal per day | Moderate targets balance breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks without extreme restriction. |
| Supermarket | Asda | Asda pages balance budget staples with broader family-friendly ranges and frozen options. |
| Budget | £35–60/week estimate | Budget plans keep variety while still prioritising own-brand and batch-friendly ingredients. |
| Prep style | Low (10–20 min/day) | Low-effort plans keep daily cooking short while preserving enough variety. |
Shopping This Plan At Asda
Typically the cheapest of the big four on a like-for-like basket, with a genuinely low economy tier.
What Asda is good for here
- Just Essentials is usually the lowest-priced option in its category, which suits very cheap weeks.
- 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
- Buy dried pulses (lentils, chickpeas, black beans) and cook in bulk rather than tinned — cheaper per portion
- Swap fresh berries for frozen mixed berries (same nutrients, fraction of the cost)
- Add a couple of eggs or a portion of cottage cheese as a whole-food protein top-up
- Use 0% fat Greek yogurt or quark in place of standard yogurt — same volume, far more protein
💪 Increase protein
- Use extra eggs or cottage cheese as a whole-food protein top-up between meals
- Swap a processed snack for a handful of nuts and a boiled egg to keep protein whole-food
- Add a couple of eggs or a portion of cottage cheese as a whole-food protein top-up
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does this cheap student plan cost per week?
This plan is designed for Asda and is estimated at £35–60 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 95g of protein per day across the week, based on the meals actually selected — in line with general UK guidance of roughly 0.8–1.6g per kg of bodyweight for active adults.
How is this different from a generic cheap student plan?
Plenty of cheap student plans share the same 1,800 kcal target — the difference here is that protein comes from whole foods throughout, with no reliance on powders or bars.
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 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 vegetarian eaters?
Yes. Every meal in this plan is vegetarian, using ingredients readily available from Asda.
Feedback
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