Muscle building, at a higher daily calorie target. This 7-day plan targets 2,500 kcal/day and averages 167g of protein, built around Lidl's Simply / own-brand core range for an estimated £70–120/week. Meals deliberately rotate protein sources and formats across the week — this plan avoids repeating the same protein twice in one day so the week does not feel monotonous.
Adjust Household PortionsCurrently 1 person · 1 cook portions
Your 7-Day Meal Plan
Monday
2501 kcal per person175g protein · 218g carbs per person
Breakfast535 kcal · 29g protein · 45g carbs · 10 min
Avocado and Eggs on Wholemeal Toast
Made with avocado, eggs, wholemeal bread.
Recipe
Ingredients
½ avocado
3 eggs
3 slices of wholemeal bread
1¼ tsp lemon juice
chilli flakes, to taste
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 avocado and set aside.
Crack the eggs into a bowl, season lightly and whisk with a fork. Cook the eggs in a non-stick pan over medium heat, stirring gently until softly set.
Toast wholemeal bread, then serve with the eggs and lemon juice and chilli flakes, to taste.
Lunch649 kcal · 32g protein · 24g carbs · 15 min
Grilled Halloumi and Roasted Vegetable Salad
Made with halloumi, courgette, red pepper.
Recipe
Ingredients
125g halloumi
1 courgette
1 red pepper
2 generous handfuls mixed leaves (about 70g)
1¼ tbsp olive oil
1¼ tsp balsamic glaze
Allergens in this meal: Milk, Sulphur dioxide and sulphites. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Cook the halloumi under a hot grill or on a hot griddle pan for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden. Rest briefly before slicing if needed.
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Cut courgette and red pepper into even pieces and roast for 25-30 minutes, until tender and lightly browned, then leave to cool slightly.
Arrange halloumi, courgette, red pepper and mixed leaves in a bowl and finish with olive oil and balsamic glaze.
Dinner748 kcal · 76g protein · 88g carbs · 35 min
Smoked Haddock and Potato Bake
Made with smoked haddock fillet, white potatoes, semi-skimmed milk.
Recipe
Ingredients
225g smoked haddock fillet
300g white potatoes
175ml semi-skimmed milk
1¼ onions
40g reduced-fat cheddar
parsley fresh, to taste
Allergens in this meal: Fish, Milk. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Boil the white potatoes in lightly salted water until tender, then drain if needed.
Meanwhile, cook the smoked haddock fillet in a non-stick pan over medium heat until opaque and it flakes easily. Add onions and cook until tender.
Slice the cooked white potatoes. Stir semi-skimmed milk and parsley fresh into the pan and season to taste. Tip the filling into an ovenproof dish and arrange the potato evenly over the top. Scatter reduced-fat cheddar evenly over the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until bubbling and golden on top.
Snack250 kcal · 17g protein · 31g carbs · 3 min
Rice Cakes with Cottage Cheese
Made with rice cakes, cottage cheese.
Recipe
Ingredients
4 rice cakes
125g 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.
Snack319 kcal · 21g protein · 30g carbs · 5 min
Smoked Salmon with Cream Cheese Crackers
Made with smoked salmon, light cream cheese, rye crackers.
Recipe
Ingredients
75g smoked salmon
40g light cream cheese
4 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: £70–120/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
Extras
Sponsored #ad - container setup
Container setup for this plan
This plan has about 21 prep-friendly meals. Start with 11 main containers, 5 small sauce or snack tubs, and 2 freezer tubs.
Use 3 five-container glass packs to provide at least 11 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
Rotate in a protein you have not used yet that week (turkey, tofu, prawns) rather than repeating the same one
Add a handful of nuts or seeds to a salad or bowl for a different protein source and texture
Swap one dairy-based snack for a plant-based one (edamame, hummus) to keep variety going
🥦 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 muscle gain plan cost per week?
This plan is designed for Lidl and is estimated at £70–120 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 167g 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 muscle gain plan?
Plenty of muscle gain plans share the same 2,500 kcal target — the difference here is that the meal rotation actively avoids repeating the same protein twice in one day.
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 2,500 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 Higher variety and use ingredients available at Lidl — no specialist equipment or advanced technique is needed.
