Higher-protein meal planning within a lower-calorie target. This 7-day plan targets 1,800 kcal/day and averages 137g of protein, built around Asda's Just Essentials (formerly Smartprice) for an estimated £65–100/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
1802 kcal per person159g protein · 187g carbs per person
Breakfast477 kcal · 30g protein · 44g 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 60g)
125g mushrooms
2 slices of wholemeal bread
1¼ 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.
Lunch480 kcal · 46g protein · 42g carbs · 15 min
Tuna Niçoise Salad
Made with tinned tuna in spring water, new potatoes, eggs.
Recipe
Ingredients
1¼ standard tins of tuna, drained
175g new potatoes
1 egg
90g green beans
9 cherry tomatoes
11 olives
Allergens in this meal: Eggs, Fish. Check the label for: Sulphur dioxide and sulphites. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Boil the new potatoes in lightly salted water until tender, then drain and cool slightly.
Boil the egg for 8-9 minutes, adding the green beans for the final 4 minutes. Cool under cold water, then peel and halve the egg.
Drain the tuna; halve the cherry tomatoes; drain the olives if needed.
Arrange everything in a bowl, season with black pepper and serve.
Dinner698 kcal · 70g protein · 83g carbs · 35 min
Smoked Haddock and Potato Bake
Made with smoked haddock fillet, white potatoes, semi-skimmed milk.
Recipe
Ingredients
200g smoked haddock fillet
275g white potatoes
175ml semi-skimmed milk
1¼ onions
30g reduced-fat cheddar
parsley fresh, to taste
Allergens in this meal: Fish, Milk. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Boil the white potatoes in lightly salted water until tender, then drain if needed.
Meanwhile, cook the smoked haddock fillet in a non-stick pan over medium heat until opaque and it flakes easily. Add onions and cook until tender.
Slice the cooked white potatoes. Stir semi-skimmed milk and parsley fresh into the pan and season to taste. Tip the filling into an ovenproof dish and arrange the potato evenly over the top. Scatter reduced-fat cheddar evenly over the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until bubbling and golden on top.
Snack147 kcal · 13g protein · 18g carbs · 5 min
Tzatziki with Vegetable Dippers
Made with low-fat greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic clove.
Recipe
Ingredients
125g low-fat Greek yogurt
¼ cucumber, grated
1 garlic clove
1 carrot
2 celery sticks
1¼ tsp dill
Allergens in this meal: Celery, Milk. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Squeeze the grated cucumber in a clean tea towel to remove the excess water.
Crush or finely grate the garlic, then stir it into the low-fat Greek yogurt with the cucumber and dill. Season to taste.
Cut the carrot and celery sticks into batons and serve them with the tzatziki for dipping.
Estimated cost: £65–100/week for 1 person from Asda. Calories and macros remain per person, while shopping quantities are scaled for the household.
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Plant-Based Milks & Alternatives
Dairy & Eggs
Fruit
Herbs & Spices
Condiments & Oils
Tins & Jars
Extras
Sponsored #ad - container setup
Container setup for this plan
This plan has about 21 prep-friendly meals. Start with 11 main containers, 5 small sauce or snack tubs, and 2 freezer tubs.
Use 3 five-container glass packs to provide at least 11 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.
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
Swap fresh berries for frozen mixed berries (same nutrients, fraction of the cost)
Keep tinned tuna, mackerel or sardines in for a fast protein top-up with no cooking
💪 Increase protein
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
Keep tinned tuna, mackerel or sardines in for a fast protein top-up with no cooking
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 £65–100 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 137g 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 pescatarian eaters?
Yes. Every meal in this plan is pescatarian, using ingredients readily available from Asda.
