Asda Low-Fuss Weekly High-Protein Low Calorie Plan — 1,800 kcal
Higher-protein meal planning within a lower-calorie target. This 7-day plan targets 1,800 kcal/day and averages 142g of protein, built around Asda's Just Essentials (formerly Smartprice) for an estimated £55–90/week. Meals need close to no active cooking — assemble-and-eat, one-pan or ready-to-eat combinations — so the plan stays realistic on the busiest days.
Adjust Household PortionsCurrently 1 person · 1 cook portions
Your 7-Day Meal Plan
Monday
1801 kcal per person132g protein · 217g carbs per person
Breakfast355 kcal · 27g protein · 43g carbs · 5 min
Cottage Cheese on Wholemeal Toast with Tomato
Made with cottage cheese, wholemeal bread, cherry tomatoes.
Recipe
Ingredients
150g cottage cheese
2 slices of wholemeal bread
6 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.
Lunch532 kcal · 33g protein · 88g carbs · 15 min
Lentil and Roasted Vegetable Soup
Made with green lentils, courgette, red pepper.
Recipe
Ingredients
100g green lentils
1 courgette
1 red pepper
1 onion
525ml vegetable stock
1 tsp cumin
Check the label for: Celery, Cereals containing gluten, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Peel and chop onion, courgette and red pepper into even pieces.
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) and roast courgette and red pepper for 25-30 minutes, until tender and caramelised at the edges. Meanwhile soften onion in a large pan over medium heat.
Stir in vegetable stock and cumin, then add green lentils and simmer gently until tender and thickened.
Taste, season and portion for serving.
Dinner780 kcal · 49g protein · 84g carbs · 20 min
Tofu Pad Thai
Made with firm tofu, rice noodles, beansprouts.
Recipe
Ingredients
200g firm tofu
80g rice noodles (dry weight)
100g beansprouts
3 spring onions
2 tbsp tamari
lime juice, to taste
20g peanuts
Allergens in this meal: Peanuts, Soybeans. Check the label for: Cereals containing gluten. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Cook the noodles according to their packet instructions, then drain if needed.
Meanwhile, cook the tofu in a non-stick pan over medium heat, stirring, until browned and hot through. Add beansprouts and spring onions and cook until tender.
Fold the cooked noodles through the pan, stir in tamari and lime juice, to taste, and heat through before serving with peanuts scattered over.
Snack134 kcal · 23g protein · 2g carbs · 8 min
Prawn Cocktail in Lettuce Cups
Made with king prawns, light mayo, lemon juice, optional to taste (excluded from nutrition estimate).
Recipe
Ingredients
125g king prawns
1 tbsp light mayo
lemon juice, to taste
4 romaine lettuce leaves
Allergens in this meal: Crustaceans, Eggs. Check the label for: Mustard. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Separate, rinse and dry the romaine lettuce leaves, keeping them whole so they can hold the filling.
Cook the king prawns in a non-stick pan over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, turning, until pink and opaque.
Cool the king prawns slightly, then combine king prawns, light mayo and lemon juice to make the filling and season to taste.
Spoon the filling into the lettuce leaves and serve immediately.
Estimated cost: £55–90/week for 1 person from Asda. Calories and macros remain per person, while shopping quantities are scaled for the household.
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Condiments & Oils
Tins & Jars
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.
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
Keep tinned tuna, mackerel or pre-cooked chicken on hand for a zero-prep protein top-up
Add cottage cheese or a protein yogurt as a snack — no cooking, no extra washing up
A ready-made protein shake covers a gap without adding a single extra step
🥦 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 high protein low calorie plan cost per week?
This plan is designed for Asda and is estimated at £55–90 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 142g 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 high protein low calorie plan?
Plenty of high protein low calorie plans share the same 1,800 kcal target — the difference here is that meals are filtered for near-zero active cooking time, not just for being quick recipes.
Can I print this high protein low calorie 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 Minimal (under 10 min/day) and use ingredients available at Asda — no specialist equipment or advanced technique is needed.
