Muscle building, at a higher daily calorie target. This 7-day plan targets 2,000 kcal/day and averages 123g of protein, built around Sainsbury's's Stamford Street Co (consolidated value range since May 2023) for an estimated £50–80/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
1993 kcal per person104g protein · 318g carbs per person
Breakfast469 kcal · 17g protein · 83g carbs · 5 min
Overnight Oats with Banana
Made with rolled oats, semi-skimmed milk, banana.
Recipe
Ingredients
70g rolled oats
175ml semi-skimmed milk
1 banana
1 tsp honey
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 banana and honey. Loosen with a splash of semi-skimmed milk if needed.
Lunch508 kcal · 21g protein · 96g carbs · 15 min
Black Bean Burrito Bowl
Made with black beans tinned, brown rice, sweetcorn.
Recipe
Ingredients
¾ of a standard tin of black beans, drained
70g brown rice (dry weight)
50g sweetcorn
40g salsa
coriander fresh, to taste
lime juice, to taste
Check the label for: Celery. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Cook the rice according to its packet instructions, then drain and cool slightly.
Drain black beans; rinse the pulses under cold water.
Arrange black beans, the cooked brown rice and sweetcorn in a bowl and finish with salsa, coriander fresh and lime juice, to taste.
Dinner605 kcal · 45g protein · 96g carbs · 25 min
Quorn Mince Bolognese with Wholemeal Pasta
Made with quorn mince, wholemeal pasta, tinned tomatoes.
Recipe
Ingredients
175g Quorn mince
80g wholemeal pasta (dry weight)
1 standard tin of tomatoes
1 onion
3 garlic cloves
1 tsp mixed herbs
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten. Check the label for: Eggs, Milk. 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 quorn in a non-stick pan over medium heat until cooked through. Add tomatoes, onion and garlic and cook until tender.
Fold the cooked pasta through the pan, stir in mixed herbs, and heat through before serving.
Snack186 kcal · 5g protein · 16g carbs · 1 min
Almonds and Dried Cranberries
Made with almonds, dried cranberries.
Recipe
Ingredients
20g almonds
20g dried cranberries
Allergens in this meal: Tree nuts. Check the label for: Sulphur dioxide and sulphites. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Combine almonds and dried cranberries in a bowl or lidded container.
Snack225 kcal · 16g protein · 27g carbs · 3 min
Protein Yogurt with Low-Sugar Granola
Made with low-fat greek yogurt, low-sugar granola, honey.
Recipe
Ingredients
125g low-fat Greek yogurt
30g low-sugar granola
1 tsp honey
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Milk. Check the label for: Tree nuts, Peanuts, Sesame, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Put low-fat Greek yogurt and low-sugar granola in a bowl.
Top with honey.
Eat straight away, or cover and chill for later the same day.
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.
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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 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 muscle gain plan cost per week?
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.
How much protein does this plan provide per day?
This plan averages 123g 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 muscle gain plan?
Plenty of muscle gain plans share the same 2,000 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 muscle gain 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 2,000 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.