Sainsbury's High-Protein Low Calorie Plan — 1,800 kcal

Higher-protein meal planning within a lower-calorie target. This 7-day plan targets 1,800 kcal/day and averages 151g of protein, built around Sainsbury's's Stamford Street Co (consolidated value range since May 2023) for an estimated £65–110/week. Meals lean on lower-fat protein — chicken breast, white fish, egg whites, 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.

Your week at a glance

Plan summary

1 person
SupermarketSainsbury's
GoalHigh Protein Low Calorie
Weekly cost£65–110/week estimate
Daily average across the 7 days
1,800 kcal151g protein206g carbs42g fat38g fibre

Individual days vary around these figures.

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Adjust Household PortionsCurrently 1 person · 1 cook portions

Your 7-Day Meal Plan

Monday

1800 kcal per person178g protein · 182g carbs per person
Breakfast210 kcal · 29g protein · 17g carbs · 10 min

Egg White Omelette with Peppers

Made with egg whites, mixed peppers, onion.

Recipe
Ingredients
  • 7 egg whites
  • ¾ pepper
  • ½ onion
  • olive oil spray, as needed
  • 1¼ tsp mixed herbs

Allergens in this meal: Eggs. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.

Method
  1. Slice or chop pepper and onion, then cook them in a non-stick pan over medium heat until softened.
  2. Beat the eggs in a bowl with mixed herbs and season lightly, then pour into the pan and cook over medium heat until just set, folding it over to serve.
  3. Season to taste and serve.
Lunch489 kcal · 52g protein · 41g carbs · 10 min

Grilled Chicken Caesar Wrap

Made with chicken breast, wholemeal tortilla, romaine lettuce.

Recipe
Ingredients
  • 175g chicken breast
  • 1 wholemeal tortilla
  • 70g romaine lettuce
  • 1 tbsp plus 2 tsp light caesar dressing
  • 10g parmesan

Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Eggs, Fish, Milk. Check the label for: Mustard. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.

Method
  1. Toast or warm wholemeal tortilla.
  2. Cook the chicken breast under a hot grill or on a hot griddle pan, turning once, until cooked through and lightly charred. Rest briefly, then slice it.
  3. Layer chicken breast, romaine lettuce, light caesar dressing and parmesan evenly and season to taste. Roll it up tightly if you are taking it with you.
Dinner904 kcal · 74g protein · 114g carbs · 25 min

Turkey Mince Bolognese with Wholemeal Pasta

Made with turkey mince lean, wholemeal pasta, tinned tomatoes.

Recipe
Ingredients
  • 250g lean turkey mince
  • 100g wholemeal pasta (dry weight)
  • 1¼ standard tins of tomatoes
  • 1¼ onions
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1¼ tsp mixed herbs

Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten. Check the label for: Eggs. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.

Method
  1. Cook the pasta according to its packet instructions, then drain if needed.
  2. Meanwhile, cook the lean turkey mince in a non-stick pan over medium heat, stirring, until browned and hot through. Add tomatoes, onions and garlic and cook until tender.
  3. Fold the cooked pasta through the pan, stir in mixed herbs, and heat through before serving.
Snack197 kcal · 23g protein · 10g carbs · 3 min

Cottage Cheese with Cucumber

Made with cottage cheese, cucumber.

Recipe
Ingredients
  • 175g cottage cheese
  • ½ cucumber

Allergens in this meal: Milk. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.

Method
  1. Slice or portion cucumber as needed.
  2. Put cucumber in a bowl or lidded container, adding cottage cheese just before eating.

Weekly Shopping List

Need containers for this batch? Compare meal prep containers →

Estimated cost: £65–110/week for 1 person from Sainsbury's. Calories and macros remain per person, while shopping quantities are scaled for the household.

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Protein

Carbs & Grains

Vegetables

Dairy & Eggs

Fruit

Herbs & Spices

Condiments & Oils

Tins & Jars

Extras

High protein meal prep containers with eggs, yogurt, fish, lean protein and vegetables
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.

See Amazon price →
Plan Details and Assumptions

Sainsbury's 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 wider premium and own-brand choice, vegetarian products, fresh produce and flexible swaps.
  • Useful when a plan needs quality-of-life convenience items without becoming takeaway-dependent.
  • Watch total basket cost and swap premium items back to own-brand staples when budget matters.

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.

DecisionThis plan usesWhy it matters
Calorie targetBuilt around roughly 1,800 kcal per dayModerate targets balance breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks without extreme restriction.
SupermarketSainsbury'sSainsbury's pages allow more prepared ingredients, vegetarian options and premium swaps where useful.
Budget£65–110/week estimateModerate plans allow more convenience items and variety without becoming premium-only.
Prep styleStandard (20–30 min/day)Standard-prep plans balance variety, fresh meals and realistic weekday cooking.

Shopping This Plan At Sainsbury's

Mid-market: pricier than Asda or the discounters at list price, but Nectar Prices close much of the gap.

Value rangeStamford Street Co (consolidated value range since May 2023)
Loyalty pricingNectar Prices

What Sainsbury's is good for here

  • Reliable fresh produce and fish counters for pescatarian and higher-quality prep.
  • Strong chilled ready-prepared vegetables, which cut prep time on low-effort plans.
  • Nectar Prices regularly apply to meat and dairy staples.

Worth knowing before you shop

  • Without a Nectar card the effective basket cost is meaningfully higher.
  • The Stamford Street value range has been trimmed, so fewer economy lines than a couple of years ago.

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 Sainsbury's's Stamford Street Co (consolidated value range since May 2023) 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)
  • Switch to Sainsbury's's value range across the board rather than mid-tier lines
  • 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

  • Add extra egg whites (3–4) to a breakfast instead of whole eggs — protein without the extra fat
  • Swap a carb portion for extra chicken breast or white fish on higher-hunger days
  • Use 0% fat Greek yogurt or quark instead of standard yogurt for the same volume, far more protein

🥦 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 high protein low calorie plan cost per week?

This plan is designed for Sainsbury's and is estimated at £65–110 per week for one person at typical UK prices, depending on what you already have at home. Nectar Prices can reduce this further.

How much protein does this plan provide per day?

This plan averages 151g 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 high protein low calorie plan?

Plenty of high protein low calorie 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 high protein low calorie 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 Sainsbury's 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 Standard (20–30 min/day) and use ingredients available at Sainsbury's — no specialist equipment or advanced technique is needed.

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