Sainsbury's Higher-Protein Weekly Vegetarian Low Calorie Plan — 1,800 kcal
Vegetarians cutting calories. This 7-day plan targets 1,800 kcal/day and averages 89g of protein, built around Sainsbury's's Stamford Street Co (consolidated value range since May 2023) for an estimated £35–65/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.
Plan summary
Individual days vary around these figures.
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Adjust Household PortionsCurrently 1 person · 1 cook portions
Your 7-Day Meal Plan
Monday
Banana and Peanut Butter Porridge
Made with rolled oats, oat milk, banana.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 70g rolled oats
- 250ml oat milk
- 1 banana
- ¾ tbsp peanut butter
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Peanuts. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Put rolled oats and oat milk in a small saucepan and stir to combine.
- Simmer gently for 4-6 minutes, stirring, until the oats are soft and creamy.
- Spoon into a bowl and top with banana and peanut butter.
Baked Falafel and Salad Pitta
Made with falafel, wholemeal pitta, hummus.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 falafel, baked
- 1 wholemeal pitta
- 2 tbsp hummus
- 1 generous handful mixed leaves (about 30g)
- 1 tomato
- 3 cucumber slices
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Sesame. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Toast or warm wholemeal pitta.
- Warm the baked falafel through in a non-stick pan or oven until piping hot.
- Open the pitta into a pocket and fill it with baked falafel, hummus, mixed leaves, tomato and cucumber and season to taste.
Teriyaki Tofu with Brown Rice and Broccoli
Made with firm tofu, brown rice, broccoli.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 150g firm tofu
- 70g brown rice (dry weight)
- ½ small head of broccoli (about 150g)
- 2 tbsp teriyaki sauce
- ¾ tsp sesame seeds
- 2 spring onions
Allergens in this meal: Sesame, Soybeans. Check the label for: Cereals containing gluten. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Cook the rice according to its packet instructions, then drain if needed.
- Meanwhile, cook the tofu in a non-stick pan over medium heat, stirring, until browned and hot through. Add a small head of broccoli and spring onions and cook until tender.
- Fold the cooked rice through the pan, stir in teriyaki sauce, and heat through before serving with sesame seeds scattered over.
Low-Fat Greek Yogurt with Berries
Made with low-fat greek yogurt, frozen mixed berries.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 125g low-fat Greek yogurt
- 60g frozen mixed berries
Allergens in this meal: Milk. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Put low-fat Greek yogurt in a bowl.
- Top with frozen mixed berries.
- Eat straight away, or cover and chill for later the same day.
Weekly Shopping List
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Estimated cost: £35–65/week for 1 person from Sainsbury's. Calories and macros remain per person, while shopping quantities are scaled for the household.
Protein
Carbs & Grains
Vegetables
Plant-Based Milks & Alternatives
Dairy & Eggs
Fruit
Herbs & Spices
Condiments & Oils
Tins & Jars
Extras
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.
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.
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.
| Decision | This plan uses | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Calorie target | Built around roughly 1,800 kcal per day | Moderate targets balance breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks without extreme restriction. |
| Supermarket | Sainsbury's | Sainsbury's pages allow more prepared ingredients, vegetarian options and premium swaps where useful. |
| Budget | £35–65/week estimate | Moderate plans allow more convenience items and variety without becoming premium-only. |
| Prep style | Standard (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.
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 vegetarian low calorie plan cost per week?
This plan is designed for Sainsbury's and is estimated at £35–65 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 89g 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 vegetarian low calorie plan?
Plenty of vegetarian 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 vegetarian 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 vegetarian eaters?
Yes. Every meal in this plan is vegetarian, using ingredients readily available from Sainsbury's.
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