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.
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
Slice or chop pepper and onion, then cook them in a non-stick pan over medium heat until softened.
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.
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
Toast or warm wholemeal tortilla.
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.
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
Cook the pasta according to its packet instructions, then drain if needed.
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.
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
Slice or portion cucumber as needed.
Put cucumber in a bowl or lidded container, adding cottage cheese just before eating.
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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Herbs & Spices
Condiments & Oils
Tins & Jars
Extras
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.
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.