Muscle building, at a higher daily calorie target. This 7-day plan targets 2,000 kcal/day and averages 121g of protein, built around Lidl's Simply / own-brand core range for an estimated £55–90/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
2028 kcal per person112g protein · 222g carbs per person
Breakfast352 kcal · 23g protein · 40g carbs · 3 min
Skyr with Walnuts, Honey and Banana
Made with skyr, walnuts, banana.
Recipe
Ingredients
175g skyr
20g walnuts
1 banana
1 tsp honey
Allergens in this meal: Milk, Tree nuts. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Slice or portion banana as needed.
Combine skyr, walnuts, banana and honey in a bowl or lidded container.
Lunch520 kcal · 28g protein · 65g carbs · 15 min
Mackerel and Brown Rice Salad
Made with tinned mackerel in brine, brown rice, cucumber.
Recipe
Ingredients
¾ of a standard tin of mackerel, drained
70g brown rice (dry weight)
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
Cook the rice according to its packet instructions, then drain and cool slightly.
Drain mackerel.
Slice or chop cucumber and red onion.
Arrange mackerel, the cooked brown rice, cucumber and red onion in a bowl and finish with lemon dressing. Keep the dressing separate if packing ahead.
Dinner665 kcal · 40g protein · 85g carbs · 20 min
Teriyaki Tofu with Brown Rice and Broccoli
Made with firm tofu, brown rice, broccoli.
Recipe
Ingredients
175g firm tofu
80g brown rice (dry weight)
½ small head of broccoli (about 175g)
2 tbsp plus 1 tsp teriyaki sauce
1 tsp sesame seeds
2 spring onions
Allergens in this meal: Sesame, Soybeans. Check the label for: Cereals containing gluten. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Cook the rice according to its packet instructions, then drain if needed.
Meanwhile, cook the tofu in a non-stick pan over medium heat, stirring, until browned and hot through. Add a small head of broccoli and spring onions and cook until tender.
Fold the cooked rice through the pan, stir in teriyaki sauce, and heat through before serving with sesame seeds scattered over.
Snack260 kcal · 6g protein · 10g carbs · 1 min
Dark Chocolate and Almonds
Made with dark chocolate, almonds.
Recipe
Ingredients
30g dark chocolate 70%
20g almonds
Allergens in this meal: Tree nuts. Check the label for: Milk, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Combine dark chocolate 70% and almonds in a bowl or lidded container.
Snack231 kcal · 15g protein · 22g 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: £55–90/week for 1 person from Lidl. Calories and macros remain per person, while shopping quantities are scaled for the household.
0 of 82 items tickedSaved on this device
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 14 prep-friendly meals. Start with 8 main containers, 3 small sauce or snack tubs, and 2 freezer tubs.
Use 2 five-container glass packs to provide at least 8 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.
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
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 muscle gain plan cost per week?
This plan is designed for Lidl and is estimated at £55–90 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 121g 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 muscle gain plan?
Plenty of muscle gain plans share the same 2,000 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 muscle gain 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 2,000 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 pescatarian eaters?
Yes. Every meal in this plan is pescatarian, using ingredients readily available from Lidl.