Sainsbury's 5-a-Day Weekly Vegan Low Calorie Plan — 1,800 kcal
Vegans working to a lower daily calorie target. This 7-day plan targets 1,800 kcal/day and averages 80g of protein, built around Sainsbury's's Stamford Street Co (consolidated value range since May 2023) for an estimated £30–55/week. Protein comes from whole foods — pulses, tofu, tempeh, nuts and seeds — rather than protein powders or bars, in line with the whole-food approach this plan takes throughout.
Plan summary
Individual days vary around these figures.
Email me this plan
The 7-day menu, shopping list and a printable link, sent once. No newsletter.
We'll send: Sainsbury's 5-a-Day Weekly Vegan Low Calorie Plan — 1,800 kcal
Want a new plan every week? Join the MealPrep+ waitlist.
Adjust Household PortionsCurrently 1 person · 1 cook portions
Your 7-Day Meal Plan
Monday
Banana and Oat Smoothie
Made with banana, rolled oats, oat milk.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 banana
- 50g rolled oats
- 225ml oat milk
- 1 tsp peanut butter
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Peanuts. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Put banana, rolled oats, oat milk and peanut butter 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.
- Pour into a glass or shaker and serve cold.
Chickpea and Spinach Curry with Rice
Made with tinned chickpeas, baby spinach, tinned tomatoes.
Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ of a standard tin of chickpeas, drained
- 3 generous handfuls baby spinach (about 90g)
- ½ of a standard tin of tomatoes
- 70g brown rice (dry weight)
- 1¾ tsp curry powder
Method
- Drain and rinse chickpeas.
- Heat a large pan over medium heat.
- Stir in curry powder, then add chickpeas, baby spinach and tomatoes and simmer gently until tender and thickened.
- Meanwhile, cook the rice according to its packet instructions, then drain and serve alongside.
Teriyaki Tofu with Brown Rice and Broccoli
Made with firm tofu, brown rice, broccoli.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 175g firm tofu
- 80g brown rice (dry weight)
- ½ small head of broccoli (about 175g)
- 2 tbsp plus 1 tsp teriyaki sauce
- 1 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.
Frozen Edamame Beans with Sea Salt
Made with frozen edamame beans, sea salt, optional to taste (excluded from nutrition estimate).
Recipe
Ingredients
- 125g frozen edamame beans
- sea salt, to taste
Allergens in this meal: Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Cook the frozen edamame beans in boiling water for 3-4 minutes, then drain.
- Sprinkle with sea salt to taste and eat warm, or cool and chill for later.
Weekly Shopping List
Need containers for this batch? Compare meal prep containers →
Estimated cost: £30–55/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
Fruit
Herbs & Spices
Condiments & Oils
Tins & Jars
Extras
Container setup for this plan
This plan has about 17 prep-friendly meals. Start with 9 main containers, 4 small sauce or snack tubs, and 2 freezer tubs.
Use 2 five-container glass packs to provide at least 9 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 | £30–55/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)
- 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 vegan low calorie plan cost per week?
This plan is designed for Sainsbury's and is estimated at £30–55 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 80g 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 vegan low calorie plan?
Plenty of vegan low calorie plans share the same 1,800 kcal target — the difference here is that protein comes from whole foods throughout, with no reliance on powders or bars.
Can I print this vegan 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.
Feedback
Seen something off with this plan? Send a quick note and we will review it.