Maximum protein on a tight budget. This 7-day plan targets 1,800 kcal/day and averages 137g of protein, built around Iceland's Iceland own label for an estimated £50–85/week. Meals lean on lower-fat protein — white fish, prawns, egg whites and 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
1799 kcal per person131g protein · 230g carbs per person
Breakfast537 kcal · 45g protein · 35g carbs · 12 min
Poached Eggs with Smoked Salmon on Toast
Made with eggs, smoked salmon, wholemeal bread.
Recipe
Ingredients
2 eggs
100g smoked salmon
2 slices of wholemeal bread
1 tsp lemon juice
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Eggs, Fish. Check the label for: Sesame, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Bring a small pan of water to a gentle simmer.
Crack an egg directly into the water and poach for 3-4 minutes, until the white is set but the yolk stays soft.
Toast wholemeal bread, then serve with the eggs and smoked salmon and lemon juice.
Lunch392 kcal · 37g protein · 51g carbs · 25 min
Baked Cod with Sweet Potato Wedges
Made with cod fillet, sweet potato, olive oil.
Recipe
Ingredients
175g cod fillet
1 medium sweet potato
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp paprika
1 lemon
Allergens in this meal: Fish. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan).
Cut the sweet potato into wedges, toss with the olive oil and paprika, and roast for 30-35 minutes, turning halfway.
Add the cod fillet to the tray for the final 12-15 minutes, until it flakes easily.
Serve with the lemon cut into wedges for squeezing over.
Dinner611 kcal · 32g protein · 120g carbs · 40 min
Mushroom and Lentil Shepherd's Pie
Made with green lentils tinned, mushrooms, onion.
Recipe
Ingredients
¾ of a standard tin of green lentils, drained
200g mushrooms
1 onion
2 carrot
250g sweet potato mash
200ml vegetable stock
Check the label for: Celery, Cereals containing gluten, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan).
Cook green lentils, mushrooms, onion and carrot in a pan over medium heat until softened and hot through.
Add vegetable stock and simmer for 8-10 minutes, until the filling has thickened and is no longer loose.
Season the filling, then tip it into an ovenproof dish and level the surface.
Spread the sweet potato mash evenly over the top, right to the edges so the filling is sealed in, and rough up the surface with a fork.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbling at the edges. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Snack259 kcal · 17g protein · 24g carbs · 5 min
Smoked Salmon with Cream Cheese Crackers
Made with smoked salmon, light cream cheese, rye crackers.
Recipe
Ingredients
50g smoked salmon
30g light cream cheese
3 rye crackers
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Fish, Milk. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Top rye crackers with smoked salmon and light cream cheese and serve.
Estimated cost: £50–85/week for 1 person from Iceland. 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 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.
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.
A frozen specialist rather than a full weekly shop — strongest as a top-up for the freezer half of a plan.
Value rangeIceland own label
Loyalty pricingBonus Card
What Iceland is good for here
Frozen protein and vegetables at low cost with effectively no waste, which suits prep-ahead weeks.
Frozen portions make calorie control easier because pack sizes are consistent.
Useful for freezer-friendly plans where batches are cooked and stored rather than eaten fresh.
Worth knowing before you shop
Limited fresh produce and store-cupboard range — most plans need a second shop elsewhere.
Freezer space is the practical constraint, not budget.
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 Iceland's Iceland own label 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
Swap fresh berries for frozen mixed berries (same nutrients, fraction of the cost)
Keep tinned tuna, mackerel or sardines in for a fast protein top-up with no cooking
💪 Increase protein
Add extra egg whites (3–4) to a breakfast instead of whole eggs — protein without the extra fat
Use 0% fat Greek yogurt or quark instead of standard yogurt for the same volume, far more protein
Keep tinned tuna, mackerel or sardines in for a fast protein top-up with no cooking
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does this cheap high protein plan cost per week?
This plan is designed for Iceland and is estimated at £50–85 per week for one person at typical UK prices, depending on what you already have at home. Bonus Card can reduce this further.
How much protein does this plan provide per day?
This plan averages 137g 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 cheap high protein plan?
Plenty of cheap high protein plans share the same 1,800 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 cheap high protein 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 Iceland 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 pescatarian eaters?
Yes. Every meal in this plan is pescatarian, using ingredients readily available from Iceland.
