Sainsbury's Vegan Higher-Protein Weekly 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 103g of protein, built around Sainsbury's's Stamford Street Co (consolidated value range since May 2023) for an estimated £35–60/week. Meals lean on lower-fat plant protein — tofu, tempeh, seitan, pulses and soya — 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
1801 kcal per person105g protein · 305g carbs per person
Breakfast333 kcal · 18g protein · 57g carbs · 5 min
Baked Beans on Wholemeal Toast
Made with reduced-sugar baked beans, wholemeal bread.
Recipe
Ingredients
200g reduced-sugar baked beans
2 slices of wholemeal bread
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten. Check the label for: Celery, Sesame, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Toast or warm wholemeal bread.
Heat reduced-sugar baked beans through in a pan or the microwave.
Layer reduced-sugar baked beans evenly and season to taste.
Lunch614 kcal · 34g protein · 106g carbs · 15 min
Red Lentil and Vegetable Soup with Wholemeal Roll
Made with red lentils, carrot, onion.
Recipe
Ingredients
100g red lentils
1 carrot
1 onion
2 celery stalks
1 wholemeal roll
500ml vegetable stock
Allergens in this meal: Celery, Cereals containing gluten. Check the label for: Sesame, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Peel and chop carrot, onion and celery into even pieces.
Heat a large pan over medium heat and soften carrot, onion and celery for 5-7 minutes.
Stir in vegetable stock, then add red lentils and simmer gently until tender and thickened.
Taste, season and serve with wholemeal roll on the side.
Dinner567 kcal · 27g protein · 110g carbs · 25 min
Chickpea and Sweet Potato Stew
Made with tinned chickpeas, sweet potato, tinned tomatoes.
Recipe
Ingredients
¾ of a standard tin of chickpeas, drained
1 medium sweet potato
1 standard tin of tomatoes
3 generous handfuls spinach (about 100g)
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
Method
Peel and chop medium sweet potato into even pieces. Drain and rinse chickpeas.
Heat a large pan over medium heat and soften medium sweet potato for 5-7 minutes.
Stir in cumin and paprika, then add chickpeas, tomatoes and spinach and simmer gently until tender and thickened.
Taste, season and portion for serving.
Snack287 kcal · 26g protein · 32g carbs · 5 min
Pea Protein Green Smoothie
Made with pea protein powder, oat milk, spinach.
Recipe
Ingredients
30g pea protein powder
250ml oat milk
1 generous handful spinach (about 30g)
1 banana
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten. Check the label for: Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Put pea protein powder, oat milk, spinach and banana in a blender, or in a jug if you are using a stick blender.
Blend until completely smooth, adding a small splash of water or milk only if needed.
Estimated cost: £35–60/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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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.
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
Strong chilled ready-prepared vegetables, which cut prep time on low-effort plans.
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
Switch to Sainsbury's's value range across the board rather than mid-tier lines
Swap fresh berries for frozen mixed berries (same nutrients, fraction of the cost)
Stir a scoop of plant protein into porridge, oats or a smoothie for an easy 20g
Add extra firm tofu, tempeh or edamame to any bowl or stir-fry
💪 Increase protein
Stir a scoop of plant protein into porridge, oats or a smoothie for an easy 20g
Add extra firm tofu, tempeh or edamame to any bowl or stir-fry
Keep tinned lentils, chickpeas and black beans in to bulk out a meal at low cost
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 £35–60 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 103g 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 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 higher-protein plant foods 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 vegan eaters?
Yes. Every meal in this plan is vegan, using ingredients readily available from Sainsbury's.