Lidl Higher-Protein Weekly Cheap High-Protein Plan — 1,500 kcal
Maximum protein on a tight budget. This 7-day plan targets 1,500 kcal/day and averages 115g of protein, built around Lidl's Simply / own-brand core range for an estimated £50–75/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
1480 kcal per person102g protein · 145g carbs per person
Breakfast375 kcal · 24g protein · 35g carbs · 12 min
Eggs, Spinach and Mushroom on Toast
Made with eggs, baby spinach, mushrooms.
Recipe
Ingredients
2 eggs
2 generous handfuls baby spinach (about 50g)
90g mushrooms
2 slices of wholemeal bread
1 tsp olive oil
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 or chop baby spinach and mushrooms, then cook them in olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat until softened.
Beat the eggs in a bowl, then add them to the pan and cook over medium heat, stirring gently until softly set.
Toast wholemeal bread, then serve with the eggs.
Lunch558 kcal · 40g protein · 68g carbs · 15 min
Tofu and Noodle Stir-Fry with Soy
Made with firm tofu, wholewheat noodles, broccoli.
Recipe
Ingredients
175g firm tofu
80g wholewheat noodles (dry weight)
¼ small head of broccoli (about 90g)
1¾ tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp ginger
2 garlic cloves
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Soybeans. Check the label for: Eggs. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Cook the noodles according to their packet instructions, then drain if needed.
Heat a wok or large frying pan over high heat and stir-fry the tofu for 3-4 minutes, until browned and cooked through.
Add a small head of broccoli and stir-fry over high heat for 3-4 minutes, keeping everything moving so it stays crisp.
Stir in soy sauce, toss to coat and serve with the noodles.
Dinner547 kcal · 38g protein · 42g carbs · 20 min
Grilled Mackerel with Warm Potato Salad
Made with mackerel fillet, new potatoes, spring onion.
Recipe
Ingredients
175g mackerel fillet
225g new potatoes
3 spring onions
lemon juice, to taste
1 tbsp plus 1 tsp mustard dressing
1 generous handful watercress (about 40g)
Allergens in this meal: Fish, Mustard. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Boil the new potatoes in lightly salted water until tender, then drain and cool slightly.
Cook the mackerel fillet under a hot grill or on a hot griddle pan for 3-4 minutes per side, until opaque and it flakes easily. Add spring onions for the final minute and cook until fragrant.
Rinse and dry watercress.
Arrange mackerel fillet, new potatoes and watercress in a bowl and finish with mustard dressing and lemon juice, to taste. Keep the dressing separate if packing ahead.
Estimated cost: £50–75/week for 1 person from Lidl. Calories and macros remain per person, while shopping quantities are scaled for the household.
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Tins & Jars
Extras
Sponsored #ad - container setup
Container setup for this plan
This plan has about 19 prep-friendly meals. Start with 10 main containers, 4 small sauce or snack tubs, and 2 freezer tubs.
Use 2 five-container glass packs to provide at least 10 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.
The other major discounter, closely matched with Aldi on basket price and similarly limited in range.
Value rangeSimply / own-brand core range
Loyalty pricingLidl Plus (app coupons and spend rewards)
What Lidl is good for here
Strong bakery and fresh produce for the price point.
Vemondo plant-based range makes vegan and vegetarian weeks cheaper than at most mainstream stores.
Frequent Lidl Plus coupons on meat and dairy, which are the costliest part of a high-protein shop.
Worth knowing before you shop
Middle-aisle stock is not reliable for weekly planning — treat it as a bonus, not a staple.
Store-to-store availability varies more than at the big four.
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 Lidl's Simply / own-brand core range 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 cheap high protein plan cost per week?
This plan is designed for Lidl and is estimated at £50–75 per week for one person at typical UK prices, depending on what you already have at home. Lidl Plus (app coupons and spend rewards) can reduce this further.
How much protein does this plan provide per day?
This plan averages 115g 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 cheap high protein plan?
Plenty of cheap high protein plans share the same 1,500 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 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 1,500 kcal/day, the Lidl 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 Lidl — no specialist equipment or advanced technique is needed.
