Sainsbury's Budget-Smart High-Protein Vegetarian Plan — 1,800 kcal
High-protein meat-free eating. This 7-day plan targets 1,800 kcal/day and averages 116g 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 vegetarian protein — egg whites, low-fat dairy, tofu and pulses — 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 person106g protein · 281g carbs per person
Breakfast346 kcal · 26g protein · 43g carbs · 5 min
Cottage Cheese on Wholemeal Toast with Tomato
Made with cottage cheese, wholemeal bread, cherry tomatoes.
Recipe
Ingredients
150g cottage cheese
2 slices of wholemeal bread
6 cherry tomatoes
black pepper, to taste
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Milk. Check the label for: Sesame, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Toast or warm wholemeal bread.
Slice cherry tomatoes.
Layer cottage cheese, cherry tomatoes and black pepper, to taste evenly.
Lunch549 kcal · 29g protein · 76g carbs · 15 min
Miso Tofu and Edamame Bowl
Made with silken tofu, edamame beans, brown rice.
Recipe
Ingredients
150g silken tofu
100g edamame beans
80g brown rice (dry weight)
1 tbsp miso paste
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame seeds
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Sesame, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Cook the brown rice according to its packet instructions.
Cook the edamame beans in boiling water for 3-4 minutes, then drain.
Mix the miso paste and soy sauce with a tablespoon of hot water to make a dressing.
Cut the silken tofu gently into cubes; it is too delicate to fry. Arrange the rice, edamame and tofu in a bowl, spoon over the dressing and scatter with sesame seeds.
Dinner598 kcal · 31g protein · 117g carbs · 40 min
Mushroom and Lentil Shepherd's Pie
Made with green lentils tinned, mushrooms, onion.
Recipe
Ingredients
¾ of a standard tin of green lentils, drained
200g mushrooms
1 onion
2 carrot
250g sweet potato mash
200ml vegetable stock
Check the label for: Celery, Cereals containing gluten, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan).
Cook green lentils, mushrooms, onion and carrot in a pan over medium heat until softened and hot through.
Add vegetable stock and simmer for 8-10 minutes, until the filling has thickened and is no longer loose.
Season the filling, then tip it into an ovenproof dish and level the surface.
Spread the sweet potato mash evenly over the top, right to the edges so the filling is sealed in, and rough up the surface with a fork.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbling at the edges. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Snack307 kcal · 20g protein · 45g carbs · 5 min
Mini Protein Overnight Oats
Made with rolled oats, skyr, semi-skimmed milk.
Recipe
Ingredients
40g rolled oats
100g skyr
100ml semi-skimmed milk
1 banana
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Milk. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Stir rolled oats and semi-skimmed milk together in a lidded jar or container.
Stir well, cover and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Stir again before eating, then add skyr and banana. Loosen with a splash of semi-skimmed milk 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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Protein
Carbs & Grains
Vegetables
Dairy & Eggs
Fruit
Herbs & Spices
Condiments & Oils
Tins & Jars
Extras
Sponsored #ad - container setup
Container setup for this plan
This plan has about 18 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
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)
Add a couple of eggs or a portion of cottage cheese as a whole-food protein top-up
Use 0% fat Greek yogurt or quark in place of standard yogurt — same volume, far more protein
💪 Increase protein
Add extra egg whites (3–4) to a breakfast instead of whole eggs — protein without the extra fat
Use 0% fat Greek yogurt or quark instead of standard yogurt for the same volume, far more protein
Add a couple of eggs or a portion of cottage cheese as a whole-food protein top-up
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does this high protein vegetarian 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 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.
How is this different from a generic high protein vegetarian plan?
Plenty of high protein vegetarian 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 vegetarian 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 vegetarian eaters?
Yes. Every meal in this plan is vegetarian, using ingredients readily available from Sainsbury's.
