Lidl Vegetarian Simple High-Protein Low Effort Plan — 1,800 kcal
Simple meals with minimal cooking. This 7-day plan targets 1,800 kcal/day and averages 92g of protein, built around Lidl's Simply / own-brand core range for an estimated £35–65/week. Meals lean on lower-fat vegetarian protein — egg whites, low-fat dairy, tofu and pulses — so each meal carries more protein for the calories it costs, leaving room to hit the day's target without relying on volume alone.
Plan summary
Individual days vary around these figures.
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Adjust Household PortionsCurrently 1 person · 1 cook portions
Your 7-Day Meal Plan
Monday
Bran Flakes with Semi-Skimmed Milk and Berries
Made with bran flakes, semi-skimmed milk, frozen mixed berries.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 40g bran flakes
- 200ml semi-skimmed milk
- 80g frozen mixed berries
- 1 tsp honey
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Milk. Check the label for: Tree nuts. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Put bran flakes and semi-skimmed milk in a bowl.
- Top with frozen mixed berries and honey.
- Eat straight away, or cover and chill for later the same day.
Green Lentil and Halloumi Bowl
Made with green lentils, halloumi, cucumber.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 100g cooked green lentils
- 75g halloumi
- 60g cucumber
- 30g pomegranate seeds
- 1 tbsp lemon dressing
Allergens in this meal: Milk. Check the label for: Mustard. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Cook the halloumi in a dry non-stick pan for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden. Rest briefly before slicing if needed.
- Slice or chop cucumber.
- Arrange cooked green lentils, halloumi, cucumber and pomegranate seeds in a bowl and finish with lemon dressing. Keep the dressing separate if packing ahead.
Egg Fried Brown Rice with Frozen Vegetables
Made with eggs, brown rice, frozen mixed veg.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- 90g brown rice (dry weight)
- 200g frozen mixed veg
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 spring onions
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Eggs, Sesame, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Cook the brown rice (dry weight) according to its packet instructions, then spread it on a plate to cool slightly.
- Stir-fry frozen mixed veg and spring onions in a large non-stick pan for 3-4 minutes. Push them to one side, add the beaten eggs, and stir until softly set.
- Add the cooled rice, stir in soy sauce and sesame oil, and toss over high heat until piping hot.
Rice Cakes with Cottage Cheese
Made with rice cakes, cottage cheese.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 rice cakes
- 100g cottage cheese
Allergens in this meal: Milk. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Top rice cakes with cottage cheese and serve.
Weekly Shopping List
Need containers for this batch? Compare meal prep containers →
Estimated cost: £35–65/week for 1 person from Lidl. Calories and macros remain per person, while shopping quantities are scaled for the household.
Protein
Carbs & Grains
Vegetables
Plant-Based Milks & Alternatives
Dairy & Eggs
Fruit
Herbs & Spices
Condiments & Oils
Tins & Jars
Extras
Container setup for this plan
This plan has about 18 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.
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.
Plan Details and Assumptions
Lidl Shopping Evidence Notes
These basket notes explain why this plan is shaped around certain ingredients and swaps before you open the shopping list.
- Best for budget weeks built around simple staples, freezer vegetables, tins, yogurt, eggs and own-brand grains.
- Choose flexible recipes because some limited-time ranges can rotate quickly.
- For batch cooking, buy the core protein and carbohydrate first, then adapt vegetables to what is available.
The Assumptions Behind This Plan
Every plan is built on four decisions. If one of them does not match your week, that is the part to change - the swaps below cover the common cases.
| Decision | This plan uses | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Calorie target | Built around roughly 1,800 kcal per day | Moderate targets balance breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks without extreme restriction. |
| Supermarket | Lidl | Lidl pages work best with simple staples, rotating offers and flexible protein swaps. |
| Budget | £35–65/week estimate | Very cheap plans repeat staples and avoid niche products. |
| Prep style | Low (10–20 min/day) | Low-effort plans keep daily cooking short while preserving enough variety. |
Shopping This Plan At Lidl
The other major discounter, closely matched with Aldi on basket price and similarly limited in range.
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.
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
- Compare Lidl's own-brand versions of the ingredients on this shopping list
- Compare the price per 100g or 100ml when choosing pack sizes for this week’s quantities
- Plan another use for any unused pack contents before buying extra ingredients
- Compare dried pulses with the tinned pulses on this list if you have time to soak and cook them
- Compare fresh and frozen berries for the berry meals in this plan
💪 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
- Add a couple of eggs or a portion of cottage cheese as a whole-food protein top-up
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does this low effort plan cost per week?
This plan is designed for Lidl and is estimated at £35–65 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 92g 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 low effort plan?
Plenty of low effort 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 low effort 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 vegetarian eaters?
Yes. Every meal in this plan is vegetarian, using ingredients readily available from Lidl.
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