Higher-protein meal planning within a lower-calorie target. This 7-day plan targets 1,500 kcal/day and averages 116g of protein, built around Sainsbury's's Stamford Street Co (consolidated value range since May 2023) for an estimated £50–80/week. Protein comes from whole foods — fish, eggs, dairy, legumes — rather than protein powders or bars, in line with the whole-food approach this plan takes throughout.
Individual days vary around these figures.
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We'll send: Sainsbury's Balanced Plate Weekly High-Protein Low Calorie Plan — 1,500 kcal
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Made with smoked mackerel fillet, eggs, wholemeal bread.
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.
Made with chicken tikka, wholemeal tortilla, mint yogurt sauce.
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Milk. Check the label for: Mustard, Tree nuts. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Made with quorn mince, wholemeal pasta, tinned tomatoes.
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten. Check the label for: Eggs, Milk. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
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Estimated cost: £50–80/week for 1 person from Sainsbury's. Calories and macros remain per person, while shopping quantities are scaled for the household.
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.
Best for regular weekday lunches, reheating at work, curry, chilli, pasta, and repeat washing.
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.
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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.
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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.
See Amazon price →These basket notes explain why this plan is shaped around certain ingredients and swaps before you open the shopping list.
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 1,500 kcal per day | Lower-calorie days need protein, fibre and vegetables so the plan still feels like meals. |
| Supermarket | Sainsbury's | Sainsbury's pages allow more prepared ingredients, vegetarian options and premium swaps where useful. |
| Budget | £50–80/week estimate | Moderate plans allow more convenience items and variety without becoming premium-only. |
| Prep style | Standard (20–30 min/day) | Standard-prep plans balance variety, fresh meals and realistic weekday cooking. |
Mid-market: pricier than Asda or the discounters at list price, but Nectar Prices close much of the gap.
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.
This plan is designed for Sainsbury's and is estimated at £50–80 per week for one person at typical UK prices, depending on what you already have at home. Nectar Prices can reduce this further.
This plan averages 116g 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.
Plenty of high protein low calorie plans share the same 1,500 kcal target — the difference here is that protein comes from whole foods throughout, with no reliance on powders or bars.
Yes. Use the export / print PDF button on the plan page. The printable version summarises all 7 days at 1,500 kcal/day, the Sainsbury's shopping list, and your chosen household portion sizes.
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.
Yes. Recipes are rated Standard (20–30 min/day) and use ingredients available at Sainsbury's — no specialist equipment or advanced technique is needed.
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