Muscle building, at a higher daily calorie target. This 7-day plan targets 2,500 kcal/day and averages 173g of protein, built around Asda's Just Essentials (formerly Smartprice) for an estimated £80–130/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
2521 kcal per person189g protein · 253g carbs per person
Breakfast532 kcal · 35g protein · 56g carbs · 5 min
Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Wholemeal Bagel
Made with wholemeal bagel, light cream cheese, smoked salmon.
Recipe
Ingredients
1 wholemeal bagel
50g light cream cheese
100g smoked salmon
5 cucumber slices
1¼ 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.
Lunch806 kcal · 32g protein · 89g carbs · 15 min
Soft Boiled Egg Buddha Bowl with Avocado
Made with eggs, brown rice, avocado.
Recipe
Ingredients
3 soft-boiled eggs
100g brown rice (dry weight)
¾ avocado
3 generous handfuls mixed leaves (about 80g)
8 cherry tomatoes
1 tbsp plus 2 tsp tahini dressing
Allergens in this meal: Eggs, Sesame. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Cook the rice according to its packet instructions, then drain if needed.
Slice avocado and cherry tomatoes and set aside. Bring a small pan of water to a gentle simmer.
Lower whole eggs into the water and simmer for 5-6 minutes, until the white is set but the yolk stays runny, then cool briefly under cold water and peel.
Arrange the rice, avocado, cherry tomatoes and mixed leaves in a bowl, then top with the eggs and tahini dressing.
Dinner854 kcal · 77g protein · 89g carbs · 25 min
Chicken and Mushroom Wholemeal Pasta
Made with chicken breast, mushrooms, wholemeal pasta.
Recipe
Ingredients
225g chicken breast
250g mushrooms
125g wholemeal pasta (dry weight)
60g low-fat crème fraîche
3 garlic cloves
1¼ tsp thyme
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Milk. Check the label for: Eggs. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Cook the pasta according to its packet instructions, then drain if needed.
Meanwhile, cook the chicken breast in a non-stick pan over medium heat until cooked through. Add mushrooms and garlic and cook until tender.
Fold the cooked pasta through the pan, stir in low-fat crème fraîche and thyme, and heat through before serving.
Snack211 kcal · 24g protein · 11g carbs · 3 min
Cottage Cheese with Cucumber
Made with cottage cheese, cucumber.
Recipe
Ingredients
200g cottage cheese
¾ cucumber
Allergens in this meal: Milk. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Slice or portion cucumber as needed.
Put cucumber in a bowl or lidded container, adding cottage cheese just before eating.
Snack118 kcal · 21g protein · 8g carbs · 1 min
Skyr High-Protein Yogurt
Made with skyr.
Recipe
Ingredients
200g skyr
Allergens in this meal: Milk. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Put skyr in a bowl.
Stir gently and serve.
Eat straight away, or cover and chill for later the same day.
Estimated cost: £80–130/week for 1 person from Asda. Calories and macros remain per person, while shopping quantities are scaled for the household.
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Protein
Carbs & Grains
Vegetables
Plant-Based Milks & Alternatives
Dairy & Eggs
Fruit
Herbs & Spices
Condiments & Oils
Extras
Sponsored #ad - container setup
Container setup for this plan
This plan has about 14 prep-friendly meals. Start with 8 main containers, 3 small sauce or snack tubs, and 2 freezer tubs.
Use 2 five-container glass packs to provide at least 8 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
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 £80–130 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 173g 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 2,500 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 2,500 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.
