Budget-conscious fat loss on a tight food budget. This 7-day plan targets 1,500 kcal/day and averages 90g of protein, built around Co-op's Honest Value (launched November 2024) for an estimated £45–55/week. Every meal already carries at least one lower-calorie swap — egg whites instead of whole eggs, cauliflower rice, extra lean protein instead of extra carbs — to keep calories down without cutting protein.
Adjust Household PortionsCurrently 1 person · 1 cook portions
Your 7-Day Meal Plan
Monday
1504 kcal per person85g protein · 183g carbs per person
Breakfast392 kcal · 12g protein · 62g carbs · 7 min
Oat Porridge with Berries
Made with rolled oats, oat milk, frozen mixed berries.
Recipe
Ingredients
70g rolled oats
250ml oat milk
70g frozen mixed berries
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Put rolled oats and oat milk in a small saucepan and stir to combine.
Simmer gently for 4-6 minutes, stirring, until the oats are soft and creamy.
Spoon into a bowl and top with frozen mixed berries.
Lunch516 kcal · 43g protein · 48g carbs · 20 min
Chicken and Wholemeal Pasta with Pesto
Made with chicken breast, wholemeal pasta, green pesto.
Recipe
Ingredients
125g chicken breast
70g wholemeal pasta (dry weight)
1 tbsp plus 1 tsp green pesto
7 cherry tomatoes
8g parmesan
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Milk, Tree nuts. 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 cherry tomatoes and cook until tender.
Fold the cooked pasta through the pan, stir in green pesto and parmesan, and heat through before serving.
Dinner596 kcal · 30g protein · 73g carbs · 15 min
Egg Fried Brown Rice with Frozen Vegetables
Made with eggs, brown rice, frozen mixed veg.
Recipe
Ingredients
3 eggs
70g brown rice (dry weight)
175g frozen mixed veg
1¾ tbsp soy sauce
¾ tsp sesame oil
2 spring onions
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Eggs, Sesame, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Cook the brown rice (dry weight) according to its packet instructions, then spread it on a plate to cool slightly.
Stir-fry frozen mixed veg and spring onions in a large non-stick pan for 3-4 minutes. Push them to one side, add the beaten eggs, and stir until softly set.
Add the cooled rice, stir in soy sauce and sesame oil, and toss over high heat until piping hot.
Estimated cost: £45–55/week for 1 person from Co-op. 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 19 prep-friendly meals. Start with 16 main containers, 4 small sauce or snack tubs, and 2 freezer tubs.
Use 2 10-container sets to provide at least 16 main meal spaces, then add the separate small tubs shown above.
RecommendedFull glass batch setup
Best when you already prep most weeks, cook lunches and dinners, or want a longer-term storage system.
Material
Glass or premium leak-resistant sets
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 Appliance This Plan Assumes
This is a batch plan built around slow-cooked meals — the kind of cooking a slow cooker does unattended while you are out. A 3.5L bowl suits the portion counts here. If you already own one, you need nothing else for this plan.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability can change on Amazon UK.
Slow cookerBudget-to-mid range
Crock-Pot Slow Cooker, 3.5L
The classic entry-level Crock-Pot: two heat settings, a removable ceramic bowl for easy cleaning, and a size that suits most households cooking 3-5 portions at once.
Best forA standard household batch cooking stews, curries and casseroles
Good to knowNo timer or digital display on this entry model, so you set it and check back manually.
This plan uses repeated weekday bases so the Sunday prep instruction matches the actual meals.
Prepare five portions of Oat Porridge with Berries for quick breakfasts.
Cook and portion 3 portions of Chicken and Wholemeal Pasta with Pesto and 2 portions of Black Bean Burrito Bowl.
Batch cook Egg Fried Brown Rice with Frozen Vegetables and Slow-Cooked Lamb and Red Lentil Stew as the main dinner bases, then alternate them Monday to Friday.
Cool everything quickly and get it into the fridge within one to two hours.
Refrigerate only the portions you will eat within two days — freeze the rest straight away, and move each one to the fridge the night before you need it. Freezing the later part of the week is a food-safety step, not a freshness preference.
Convenience-led with smaller stores. Priced above the big four, but member pricing and the Honest Value range keep everyday staples reasonable.
Value rangeHonest Value (launched November 2024)
Loyalty pricingCo-op Membership (member pricing)
What Co-op is good for here
Honest Value covers fresh meat, produce and dairy rather than just cupboard goods.
Local store footprint makes topping up mid-week realistic when a plan slips.
Member pricing applies to many staples used across prep plans.
Worth knowing before you shop
Smaller stores carry less stock, so bulk buying for batch cooking is harder.
Non-member prices are noticeably higher on the same items.
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 Co-op's Honest Value (launched November 2024) 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
Use 0% fat Greek yogurt or quark in place of standard yogurt for more protein at a similar calorie cost
Add a hard-boiled egg or egg white as an afternoon snack instead of a higher-calorie option
Swap a carb side for extra lean protein when a meal feels short on fullness
🥦 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 budget fat loss plan cost per week?
This plan is designed for Co-op and is estimated at £45–55 per week for one person at typical UK prices, depending on what you already have at home. Co-op Membership (member pricing) can reduce this further.
How much protein does this plan provide per day?
This plan averages 90g 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 budget fat loss plan?
Plenty of budget fat loss plans share the same 1,500 kcal target — the difference here is that each meal already has a lower-calorie substitution built in, rather than leaving that to you.
Can I print this budget fat loss 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 1,500 kcal/day, the Co-op shopping list, and your chosen household portion sizes.
Is this plan suitable for meal prep?
Yes — this plan is specifically designed for batch cooking. Prep everything on Sunday in 60–90 minutes and portion into containers for the week ahead.
Is this plan suitable for beginners?
Yes. Recipes are rated Batch cook (prep on Sunday) and use ingredients available at Co-op — no specialist equipment or advanced technique is needed.
