Lidl Budget-Smart Weekly Cheap High Protein Plan — 1,800 kcal

Free printable UK cheap high protein meal plan for Lidl: 7 days at ~1,800 kcal/day, £20–30/week estimate, macros and shopping list.

SupermarketLidl
Calorie target~1800 kcal/day
Weekly budget£20–30
Prep difficultyStandard (20–30 min/day)
Best forMaximum protein on a tight budget
DietAll diets

Estimated daily macros

Protein
120g
Carbs
160g
Fats
50g
Fibre
35g

Plan Quick Facts

Best forMaximum protein on a tight budget
Calories~1800 kcal/day
Budget£20–30/week estimate
Prep styleStandard (20–30 min/day)
Includes7 days, recipes, macros, PDF export and shopping list
DietAll diets

Export This Meal Plan as a PDF

Print this 7-day meal plan or save it as a PDF. The printable meal plan summary includes every meal, daily calories, protein totals and the full weekly shopping list.

7-day meal plan

Weekly shopping list

Your 7-Day Meal Plan

Monday

1800 kcal135g protein
Breakfast492 kcal · 24g protein · 10 min

Avocado and Eggs on Wholemeal Toast

Made with avocado half, eggs, wholemeal bread. Ready in 10 min — 492 kcal, 24g protein.

Recipe
  1. Toast or warm the bread, bagel, wrap, or pitta if preferred.
  2. Prepare the filling ingredients: Avocado half, Eggs 2, Wholemeal bread 2 slices, Lemon juice 1 tsp, Chilli flakes pinch.
  3. Layer the filling evenly, season to taste, and serve or wrap tightly for later.
Lunch613 kcal · 50g protein · 20 min

Chicken and Wholemeal Pasta with Pesto

Made with chicken breast, wholemeal pasta, green pesto. Ready in 20 min — 613 kcal, 50g protein.

Recipe
  1. Cook the pasta, rice, or noodles according to the packet instructions.
  2. Meanwhile, prepare the remaining ingredients: Chicken breast 175g, Wholemeal pasta 90g dry, Green pesto 25g, Cherry tomatoes 9, Parmesan 10g.
  3. Combine in a pan or bowl, heat through, season, and portion into containers if needed.
Dinner525 kcal · 48g protein · 40 min

Turkey Mince and Sweet Potato Bake

Made with turkey mince lean, sweet potato, tinned tomatoes. Ready in 40 min — 525 kcal, 48g protein.

Recipe
  1. Prepare the ingredients: Turkey mince lean 220g, Sweet potato 270g, Tinned tomatoes 440g, Onion 1, Garlic 3 cloves, Paprika 1 tsp, Spinach 110g.
  2. Cook the main protein or vegetables in a pan over medium heat until cooked through.
  3. Add the remaining ingredients, heat until piping hot, season to taste, and serve.
Snack170 kcal · 13g protein · 10 min

Hard-Boiled Eggs

Made with eggs. Ready in 10 min — 170 kcal, 13g protein.

Recipe
  1. Prepare the ingredients: Eggs 2.
  2. Cook the eggs in a non-stick pan over medium heat, stirring or folding gently.
  3. Serve with the listed bread, vegetables, or toppings.

Weekly Shopping List

Estimated cost: £20–30/week for one person from Lidl.

Protein

  • Eggs 2
  • Chicken breast 175g
  • Turkey mince lean 220g
  • Pork tenderloin 245g
  • Red lentils 120g
  • Tinned tuna in spring water 170g
  • King prawns 140g
  • Cod fillet 200g
  • Pork loin 225g
  • Tinned chickpeas 245g
  • Smoked mackerel fillet 90g

Carbs & Grains

  • Wholemeal bread 2 slices
  • Wholemeal pasta 90g dry
  • Wholemeal pitta 1
  • Wholemeal roll 1
  • Rolled oats 110g
  • Brown rice 90g dry
  • Oatcakes 3

Vegetables

  • Avocado half
  • Cherry tomatoes 9
  • Sweet potato 270g
  • Tinned tomatoes 440g
  • Onion 1
  • Spinach 110g
  • Courgette 1 roasted
  • Red pepper 1 roasted
  • Frozen edamame beans 180g
  • Carrot 1
  • Celery 2 stalks
  • Sweetcorn 120g
  • Romaine lettuce leaves 5
  • Parsnip 170g
  • Baby spinach 180g
  • Red onion quarter
  • Mixed peppers 170g

Dairy & Eggs

  • Cottage cheese 245g
  • Low-fat Greek yogurt 170g
  • Ricotta 120g
  • Oat milk 360ml
  • Peanut butter 1.25 tbsp
  • Light cream cheese 25g

Extras & Condiments

  • Lemon juice 1 tsp
  • Chilli flakes pinch
  • Green pesto 25g
  • Parmesan 10g
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Paprika 1 tsp
  • Mixed herbs 1.25 tsp
  • Apple 1
  • Rosemary 1.25 tsp
  • Olive oil 1.25 tbsp
  • Sea salt pinch
  • Vegetable stock 600ml
  • Cheddar reduced-fat 35g
  • Light mayo 20g
  • Lemon 1
  • Frozen berries 65g
  • Honey 1 tsp
  • Cannellini beans tinned 245g
  • Basil
  • Rye crackers 5
  • Banana 1
  • Mango half
  • Mixed leaves 95g
  • Lime juice
  • Coriander fresh
  • Parsley fresh
  • Smoked paprika 1.25 tsp
  • Cumin 0.5 tsp

Swaps & Suggestions

💰 Make it cheaper

  • Replace fresh salmon with tinned mackerel or sardines in brine (saves ~£2–3/week)
  • Buy store-brand rolled oats, rice, and pasta — nutritionally identical to branded
  • 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)
  • Buy pulses (lentils, chickpeas, black beans) dried and cook in bulk

💪 Increase protein

  • Add a scoop of unflavoured whey or plant protein to porridge or smoothies
  • Replace rice or pasta with extra protein (an additional chicken breast or 2 boiled eggs)
  • Use Skyr or Quark instead of standard yogurt (roughly 2× the protein)
  • Add a hard-boiled egg as an afternoon snack on rest days
  • Swap rice cakes or crackers for a protein bar (aim for 20g+ protein, under 200 kcal)

🥦 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 typically costs £20–30 per week for one person, depending on what you already have at home. Buying in bulk, choosing own-brand items, and batch cooking can reduce the cost further.

How much protein does this plan provide per day?

Protein is balanced across the week. Most days provide 100–130g, which meets general UK dietary guidelines for active adults.

Can I swap meals I don't like?

Yes. Use the AI edit button on any meal to swap it out. Common requests include swapping chicken for turkey, replacing salmon with tinned tuna, or making a day vegetarian. The shopping list updates automatically.

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 the full 7-day meal plan and includes the weekly shopping list.

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. The meals use widely available ingredients and straightforward cooking methods. No specialist equipment or culinary experience is needed.

Feedback

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