Higher-protein meal planning within a lower-calorie target. This 7-day plan targets 1,500 kcal/day and averages 118g of protein, built around Co-op's Honest Value (launched November 2024) for an estimated £35–55/week. Meals are chosen to hold up after a few days in the fridge or freezer — stews, chillies, tray bakes and grain bowls — rather than anything that goes soggy or dries out on reheating.
Adjust Household PortionsCurrently 1 person · 1 cook portions
Your 7-Day Meal Plan
Monday
1502 kcal per person118g protein · 194g carbs per person
Breakfast540 kcal · 50g protein · 47g carbs · 15 min
Protein Waffles with Greek Yogurt and Berries
Made with whey protein powder, wholemeal flour, eggs.
Recipe
Ingredients
25g whey protein powder
50g wholemeal flour
2 eggs
95ml oat milk
90g low-fat Greek yogurt
60g frozen berries
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Eggs, Milk. Check the label for: Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Whisk whey protein powder, wholemeal flour, eggs and oat milk into a smooth batter and leave it to stand for 2 minutes.
Cook in a preheated waffle iron until golden and crisp, in batches if needed. No waffle iron? Cook the batter as pancakes in a lightly greased non-stick pan, 1-2 minutes per side — they will not be crisp, but they taste the same.
Serve with low-fat Greek yogurt and frozen berries.
Lunch330 kcal · 18g protein · 62g carbs · 15 min
Cannellini Bean and Tomato Soup
Made with cannellini beans tinned, tinned tomatoes, onion.
Recipe
Ingredients
¾ of a standard tin of cannellini beans, drained
1 standard tin of tomatoes
1 onion
3 garlic cloves
200ml vegetable stock
basil, to taste
Check the label for: Celery, Cereals containing gluten, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Peel and chop onion and garlic into even pieces. Drain and rinse cannellini beans.
Heat a large pan over medium heat and soften onion and garlic for 5-7 minutes.
Stir in vegetable stock and basil, to taste, then add cannellini beans and tomatoes and simmer gently until tender and thickened.
Taste, season and portion for serving.
Dinner632 kcal · 50g protein · 85g carbs · 30 min
Tuna and Sweetcorn Pasta Bake
Made with tinned tuna in spring water, wholemeal pasta, sweetcorn.
Recipe
Ingredients
1 standard tin of tuna, drained
90g wholemeal pasta (dry weight)
90g sweetcorn
½ of a standard tin of tomatoes
30g reduced-fat cheddar
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Fish, Milk. Check the label for: Eggs. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than its packet instructions, then drain.
Drain the tuna, then mix it with the pasta, tomatoes and sweetcorn in an ovenproof dish.
Scatter the reduced-fat cheddar over the top and bake for 20-25 minutes, until bubbling and golden.
Estimated cost: £35–55/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
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 17 main containers, 5 small sauce or snack tubs, and 2 freezer tubs.
Use 2 10-container sets to provide at least 17 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.
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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 Protein Waffles with Greek Yogurt and Berries for quick breakfasts.
Cook and portion five lunches of Cannellini Bean and Tomato Soup.
Batch cook Tuna and Sweetcorn Pasta Bake and Lean Beef and Sweet Potato 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
Cook an extra portion of mince or beans into the weekly batch — cheap to add, keeps well
Add tinned beans or lentils to a batch-cooked chilli or curry for extra protein at low cost
Portion cooked chicken thighs into the freezer in 100g bags to add to any meal without extra cooking
🥦 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 high protein low calorie plan cost per week?
This plan is designed for Co-op and is estimated at £35–55 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 118g 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 high protein low calorie plan?
Plenty of high protein low calorie plans share the same 1,500 kcal target — the difference here is that meals are filtered for how well they hold up over several days, not just for taste on day one.
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 1,500 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.
