Asda 5-a-Day Weekly Vegetarian Low Calorie Plan — 1,800 kcal
Vegetarians cutting calories. This 7-day plan targets 1,800 kcal/day and averages 96g of protein, built around Asda's Just Essentials (formerly Smartprice) for an estimated £35–60/week. Protein comes from whole foods — eggs, dairy, pulses and tofu — rather than protein powders or bars, in line with the whole-food approach this plan takes throughout.
Plan summary
Individual days vary around these figures.
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Adjust Household PortionsCurrently 1 person · 1 cook portions
Your 7-Day Meal Plan
Monday
Avocado and Eggs on Wholemeal Toast
Made with avocado, eggs, wholemeal bread.
Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ avocado
- 2 eggs
- 2 slices of wholemeal bread
- ¾ tsp lemon juice
- chilli flakes, to taste
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 avocado and set aside.
- Crack the eggs into a bowl, season lightly and whisk with a fork. Cook the eggs in a non-stick pan over medium heat, stirring gently until softly set.
- Toast wholemeal bread, then serve with the eggs and lemon juice and chilli flakes, to taste.
Cottage Cheese and Roasted Vegetable Bowl
Made with cottage cheese, courgette, red pepper.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 175g cottage cheese
- 1 courgette, roasted
- 1 red pepper, roasted
- 7 cherry tomatoes
- ¾ tsp mixed herbs
- 1 wholemeal pitta
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Milk. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Warm the roasted courgette and roasted red pepper through, or use them cold. Halve the cherry tomatoes.
- Put the vegetables in a bowl, top with the cottage cheese and sprinkle over the mixed herbs.
- Toast the wholemeal pitta, cut it into strips and serve alongside.
Chickpea and Spinach Coconut Curry
Made with tinned chickpeas, baby spinach, coconut milk light.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1¼ standard tins of chickpeas, drained
- 4 generous handfuls baby spinach (about 125g)
- 175ml light coconut milk
- 175g tomatoes
- ¾ onion
- 1 tbsp plus 2 tsp curry paste
- 70g brown rice (dry weight)
Check the label for: Cereals containing gluten, Fish, Mustard, Tree nuts. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Peel and chop onion into even pieces. Drain and rinse chickpeas.
- Heat a large pan over medium heat and soften onion for 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in light coconut milk and curry paste, then add chickpeas, baby spinach and tomatoes and simmer gently until tender and thickened.
- Meanwhile, cook the rice according to its packet instructions, then drain and serve alongside.
Tzatziki with Vegetable Dippers
Made with low-fat greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic clove.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 80g low-fat Greek yogurt
- ¼ cucumber, grated
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 carrot
- 2 celery sticks
- ¾ 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.
Weekly Shopping List
Need containers for this batch? Compare meal prep containers →
Estimated cost: £35–60/week for 1 person from Asda. Calories and macros remain per person, while shopping quantities are scaled for the household.
Protein
Carbs & Grains
Vegetables
Plant-Based Milks & Alternatives
Dairy & Eggs
Fruit
Herbs & Spices
Condiments & Oils
Tins & Jars
Extras
Container setup for this plan
This plan has about 17 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.
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 1,800 kcal per day | Moderate targets balance breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks without extreme restriction. |
| Supermarket | Asda | Asda pages balance budget staples with broader family-friendly ranges and frozen options. |
| Budget | £35–60/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.
- 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
- 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)
- Add a couple of eggs or a portion of cottage cheese as a whole-food protein top-up
- Use 0% fat Greek yogurt or quark in place of standard yogurt — same volume, far more protein
💪 Increase protein
- Use extra eggs or cottage cheese as a whole-food protein top-up between meals
- Swap a processed snack for a handful of nuts and a boiled egg to keep protein whole-food
- Add a couple of eggs or a portion of cottage cheese as a whole-food protein top-up
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does this vegetarian low calorie plan cost per week?
This plan is designed for Asda and is estimated at £35–60 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 96g 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 vegetarian low calorie plan?
Plenty of vegetarian low calorie plans share the same 1,800 kcal target — the difference here is that protein comes from whole foods throughout, with no reliance on powders or bars.
Can I print this vegetarian 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 vegetarian eaters?
Yes. Every meal in this plan is vegetarian, using ingredients readily available from Asda.
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