Asda Higher-Protein Weekly Muscle Gain Plan — 2,000 kcal
Muscle building, at a higher daily calorie target. This 7-day plan targets 2,000 kcal/day and averages 132g of protein, built around Asda's Just Essentials (formerly Smartprice) for an estimated £60–95/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.
Adjust Household PortionsCurrently 1 person · 1 cook portions
Your 7-Day Meal Plan
Monday
1998 kcal per person114g protein · 190g carbs per person
Breakfast340 kcal · 23g protein · 34g carbs · 5 min
Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Wholemeal Bagel
Made with wholemeal bagel, light cream cheese, smoked salmon.
Recipe
Ingredients
1 wholemeal bagel
30g light cream cheese
75g smoked salmon
4 cucumber slices
¾ tsp lemon juice
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Fish, Milk. Check the label for: Sesame, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Toast or warm wholemeal bagel.
Slice cucumber.
Layer light cream cheese, smoked salmon, cucumber and lemon juice evenly and season to taste.
Lunch644 kcal · 35g protein · 68g carbs · 20 min
Baked Tofu and Tahini Buddha Bowl
Made with firm tofu, brown rice, roasted mixed veg.
Recipe
Ingredients
150g firm tofu
70g brown rice (dry weight)
125g roasted mixed veg
1 tbsp tahini
lemon juice, to taste
¾ tsp sesame seeds
Allergens in this meal: Sesame, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Cook the rice according to its packet instructions, then drain and cool slightly.
Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan. Bake the tofu for 12-18 minutes, until cooked through and it flakes or slices easily.
Arrange firm tofu, the cooked brown rice, roasted mixed veg and sesame seeds in a bowl and finish with tahini and lemon juice, to taste.
Dinner628 kcal · 46g protein · 61g carbs · 20 min
Miso Glazed Salmon with Soba Noodles
Made with salmon fillet, soba noodles, miso paste.
Recipe
Ingredients
150g salmon fillet
80g soba noodles (dry weight)
¾ tbsp miso paste
¾ tbsp soy sauce
125g pak choi
¾ tsp sesame seeds
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Fish, Sesame, Soybeans. 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 salmon fillet in a non-stick pan over medium heat until opaque and it flakes easily. Add pak choi and cook until tender.
Fold the cooked noodles through the pan, stir in miso paste and soy sauce, and heat through before serving with sesame seeds scattered over.
Snack138 kcal · 4g protein · 18g carbs · 1 min
Apple and Peanut Butter
Made with apple, peanut butter.
Recipe
Ingredients
1 apple
¾ tbsp peanut butter
Allergens in this meal: Peanuts. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Slice or portion apple as needed.
Combine apple and peanut butter in a bowl or lidded container.
Snack248 kcal · 6g protein · 9g carbs · 1 min
Dark Chocolate and Almonds
Made with dark chocolate, almonds.
Recipe
Ingredients
30g dark chocolate 70%
15g almonds
Allergens in this meal: Tree nuts. Check the label for: Milk, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Combine dark chocolate 70% and almonds in a bowl or lidded container.
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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.
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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
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 muscle gain plan cost per week?
This plan is designed for Asda and is estimated at £60–95 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 132g 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 muscle gain plan?
Plenty of muscle gain plans share the same 2,000 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 muscle gain 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 2,000 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.
