Asda High-Protein Cutting Phase Plan — 1,400 kcal
A structured lower-calorie, higher-protein plan for active adults. This 7-day plan targets 1,400 kcal/day and averages 103g of protein, built around Asda's Just Essentials (formerly Smartprice) for an estimated £40–60/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.
Plan summary
Individual days vary around these figures.
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We'll send: Asda High-Protein Cutting Phase Plan — 1,400 kcal
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Adjust Household PortionsCurrently 1 person · 1 cook portions
Your 7-Day Meal Plan
Monday
Smoked Mackerel Scrambled Eggs on Toast
Made with smoked mackerel fillet, eggs, wholemeal bread.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 50g smoked mackerel fillet
- 2 eggs
- 2 slices of wholemeal bread
- 4g butter
- ¾ tsp lemon juice
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Eggs, Fish, Milk. Check the label for: Sesame, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Crack the eggs into a bowl, season lightly and whisk with a fork. Heat butter in a non-stick pan, then cook the eggs over medium heat, stirring gently until softly set.
- Toast wholemeal bread, then serve with the eggs and smoked mackerel fillet and lemon juice.
Baked Cod with Sweet Potato Wedges
Made with cod fillet, sweet potato, olive oil.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 125g cod fillet
- ¾ medium sweet potato
- ¾ tsp olive oil
- ¾ tsp paprika
- ¾ lemon
Allergens in this meal: Fish. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan).
- Cut the sweet potato into wedges, toss with the olive oil and paprika, and roast for 30-35 minutes, turning halfway.
- Add the cod fillet to the tray for the final 12-15 minutes, until it flakes easily.
- Serve with the lemon cut into wedges for squeezing over.
Grilled Lean Sirloin Steak with Brown Rice and Roasted Veg
Made with lean sirloin steak, brown rice, courgette.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 175g lean sirloin steak
- 70g brown rice (dry weight)
- 1 courgette
- 1 red pepper
- ¾ tbsp olive oil
Method
- Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Cut the courgette and red pepper into chunks, toss with most of the olive oil and roast for 25-30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook the brown rice according to its packet instructions.
- Rub the steak with the remaining oil and cook under a hot grill or on a griddle pan for 2-4 minutes per side, depending on its thickness and how you like it. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
- Serve the steak with the rice and roasted vegetables.
Weekly Shopping List
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Estimated cost: £40–60/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 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.
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 1,400 kcal per day | Lower-calorie days need protein, fibre and vegetables so the plan still feels like meals. |
| Supermarket | Asda | Asda pages balance budget staples with broader family-friendly ranges and frozen options. |
| Budget | £40–60/week estimate | Budget plans keep variety while still prioritising own-brand and batch-friendly ingredients. |
| Prep style | Standard (20–30 min/day) | Standard-prep plans balance variety, fresh meals and realistic weekday cooking. |
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.
- 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 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 cutting phase plan cost per week?
This plan is designed for Asda and is estimated at £40–60 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 103g 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 cutting phase plan?
Plenty of cutting phase plans share the same 1,400 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 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 all 7 days at 1,400 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.
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