Maximum protein on a tight budget. This 7-day plan targets 1,800 kcal/day and averages 144g of protein, built around Lidl's Simply / own-brand core range for an estimated £60–100/week. Meals are built around ingredients that freeze well — frozen fish, frozen vegetables, freezer-friendly bases — so a weekly shop keeps for longer and less goes to waste.
Adjust Household PortionsCurrently 1 person · 1 cook portions
Your 7-Day Meal Plan
Monday
1799 kcal per person164g protein · 159g carbs per person
Breakfast566 kcal · 35g protein · 30g carbs · 10 min
Smoked Mackerel Scrambled Eggs on Toast
Made with smoked mackerel fillet, eggs, wholemeal bread.
Recipe
Ingredients
75g smoked mackerel fillet
2 eggs
2 slices of wholemeal bread
5g butter
1 tsp lemon juice
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Eggs, Fish, Milk. Check the label for: Sesame, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Crack the eggs into a bowl, season lightly and whisk with a fork. Heat butter in a non-stick pan, then cook the eggs over medium heat, stirring gently until softly set.
Toast wholemeal bread, then serve with the eggs and smoked mackerel fillet and lemon juice.
Lunch329 kcal · 37g protein · 34g carbs · 8 min
Chickpea and Tuna Salad
Made with tinned tuna in spring water, tinned chickpeas, cucumber.
Recipe
Ingredients
1 standard tin of tuna, drained
½ of a standard tin of chickpeas, drained
½ cucumber
½ red onion
1 tbsp lemon dressing
Allergens in this meal: Fish. Check the label for: Mustard. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Drain tuna and chickpeas; rinse the pulses under cold water.
Slice or chop cucumber and red onion.
Arrange tuna, chickpeas, cucumber and red onion in a bowl and finish with lemon dressing. Keep the dressing separate if packing ahead.
Dinner732 kcal · 73g protein · 88g carbs · 35 min
Chicken and Lentil One-Pot Stew
Made with chicken thighs, green lentils, tinned tomatoes.
Recipe
Ingredients
200g chicken thighs
90g green lentils
1 standard tin of tomatoes
1 onion
3 garlic cloves
1¾ tsp paprika
3 generous handfuls spinach (about 90g)
Method
Peel and chop onion and garlic into even pieces.
Heat a large pan over medium heat and brown the chicken thighs with onion and garlic for 5-7 minutes.
Stir in paprika, then add green lentils, tomatoes and spinach with enough water to cover and simmer gently until tender and thickened.
Taste, season and portion for serving.
Snack172 kcal · 19g protein · 7g carbs · 5 min
Smoked Salmon on Cucumber Slices
Made with smoked salmon, cucumber.
Recipe
Ingredients
75g smoked salmon
1 cucumber
Allergens in this meal: Fish. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Slice or portion cucumber as needed.
Combine smoked salmon and cucumber in a bowl or lidded container.
Estimated cost: £60–100/week for 1 person from Lidl. 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
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
Keep a bag of frozen prawns or white fish fillets as a fast protein top-up on any meal
Frozen chicken breast portions cost less than fresh and add protein without a special shop
Add frozen edamame to a rice or noodle dish for extra plant protein with no prep
🥦 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 £60–100 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 144g 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 ingredients are chosen so a single shop keeps for the full week without a mid-week top-up.
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 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 Minimal (under 10 min/day) and use ingredients available at Lidl — no specialist equipment or advanced technique is needed.
