Waitrose High-Variety High-Protein Low Calorie Plan — 1,600 kcal
Higher-protein meal planning within a lower-calorie target. This 7-day plan targets 1,600 kcal/day and averages 116g of protein, built around Waitrose's Waitrose Essential (700+ lines; introduced 2009, relaunched 2020) for an estimated £45–70/week. Meals deliberately rotate protein sources and formats across the week — this plan avoids repeating the same protein twice in one day so the week does not feel monotonous.
Adjust Household PortionsCurrently 1 person · 1 cook portions
Your 7-Day Meal Plan
Monday
1604 kcal per person100g protein · 238g carbs per person
Breakfast506 kcal · 32g protein · 63g carbs · 15 min
Wholemeal Pancakes with Low-Fat Yogurt
Made with wholemeal flour, eggs, semi-skimmed milk.
Recipe
Ingredients
70g wholemeal flour
2 eggs
125ml semi-skimmed milk
90g low-fat yogurt
50g blueberries
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Eggs, Milk. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Whisk wholemeal flour, eggs and semi-skimmed milk into a smooth batter and leave it to stand for 2 minutes.
Lightly grease a non-stick pan, then cook small pancakes for 1-2 minutes per side.
Serve with low-fat yogurt and blueberries.
Lunch543 kcal · 39g protein · 66g carbs · 15 min
Tofu and Noodle Stir-Fry with Soy
Made with firm tofu, wholewheat noodles, broccoli.
Recipe
Ingredients
175g firm tofu
70g wholewheat noodles (dry weight)
¼ small head of broccoli (about 90g)
1¾ tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp ginger
2 garlic cloves
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Soybeans. Check the label for: Eggs. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Cook the noodles according to their packet instructions, then drain if needed.
Heat a wok or large frying pan over high heat and stir-fry the tofu for 3-4 minutes, until browned and cooked through.
Add a small head of broccoli and stir-fry over high heat for 3-4 minutes, keeping everything moving so it stays crisp.
Stir in soy sauce, toss to coat and serve with the noodles.
Dinner555 kcal · 29g protein · 109g 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
175g mushrooms
1 onion
2 carrots
225g sweet potato mash
175ml 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 carrots 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.
Estimated cost: £45–70/week for 1 person from Waitrose. 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
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.
Premium positioning, but the Essential range is competitive on staples and keeps a plan viable without paying premium prices throughout.
Value rangeWaitrose Essential (700+ lines; introduced 2009, relaunched 2020)
Loyalty pricingmyWaitrose
What Waitrose is good for here
Essential covers most core prep ingredients, so cost sits well below the headline Waitrose reputation.
High produce and meat quality, which matters when food is cooked ahead and reheated later.
Good free-from and speciality range for restrictive diets.
Worth knowing before you shop
Straying outside Essential raises the weekly cost quickly.
Fewer stores nationally, and a smaller convenience footprint than the big four.
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
Compare Waitrose's own-brand versions of the ingredients on this shopping list
Compare the price per 100g or 100ml when choosing pack sizes for this week’s quantities
Plan another use for any unused pack contents before buying extra ingredients
Compare dried pulses with the tinned pulses on this list if you have time to soak and cook them
Compare fresh and frozen salmon prices for the salmon meals in this plan
Compare fresh and frozen berries for the berry meals in this plan
Compare fresh and frozen chicken breast prices for the chicken meals in this plan
💪 Increase protein
Rotate in a protein you have not used yet that week (turkey, tofu, prawns) rather than repeating the same one
Add a handful of nuts or seeds to a salad or bowl for a different protein source and texture
Swap one dairy-based snack for a plant-based one (edamame, hummus) to keep variety going
🥦 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 high protein low calorie plan cost per week?
This plan is designed for Waitrose and is estimated at £45–70 per week for one person at typical UK prices, depending on what you already have at home. myWaitrose 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 low calorie plan?
Plenty of high protein low calorie plans share the same 1,600 kcal target — the difference here is that the meal rotation actively avoids repeating the same protein twice in one day.
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 1,600 kcal/day, the Waitrose 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 Higher variety and use ingredients available at Waitrose — no specialist equipment or advanced technique is needed.
