Muscle building, at a higher daily calorie target. This 7-day plan targets 2,500 kcal/day and averages 162g of protein, built around Waitrose's Waitrose Essential (700+ lines; introduced 2009, relaunched 2020) for an estimated £70–110/week. Both protein and carbohydrate run high in this plan — it is built for training performance and recovery, not calorie restriction, so there is no need to trade one macro off against the other.
Estimated cost: £70–110/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
Plant-Based Milks & Alternatives
Dairy & Eggs
Fruit
Herbs & Spices
Condiments & Oils
Extras
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Container setup for this plan
This plan has about 21 prep-friendly meals. Start with 17 main containers, 5 small sauce or snack tubs, and 2 freezer tubs.
Use 2 10-container sets to provide at least 17 main meal spaces, then add the separate small tubs shown above.
RecommendedFull glass batch setup
Best when you already prep most weeks, cook lunches and dinners, or want a longer-term storage system.
Material
Glass or premium leak-resistant sets
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.
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The One Appliance This Plan Assumes
This is a batch plan built around slow-cooked meals — the kind of cooking a slow cooker does unattended while you are out. A 3.5L bowl suits the portion counts here. If you already own one, you need nothing else for this plan.
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Slow cookerBudget-to-mid range
Crock-Pot Slow Cooker, 3.5L
The classic entry-level Crock-Pot: two heat settings, a removable ceramic bowl for easy cleaning, and a size that suits most households cooking 3-5 portions at once.
Best forA standard household batch cooking stews, curries and casseroles
Good to knowNo timer or digital display on this entry model, so you set it and check back manually.
This plan uses repeated weekday bases so the Sunday prep instruction matches the actual meals.
Prepare five portions of Wholemeal Pancakes with Low-Fat Yogurt for quick breakfasts.
Cook and portion 3 portions of Edamame and Soba Noodle Salad and 2 portions of Baked Tofu and Tahini Buddha Bowl.
Batch cook Tuna and Sweet Potato Fishcakes with Salad and Salmon and Wholemeal Pasta with Spinach as the main dinner bases, then alternate them Monday to Friday.
Portion snacks in advance: Chocolate Protein Shake, Mini Protein Overnight Oats, Smoked Mackerel Pâté on Oatcakes, Pumpkin Seeds with Dark Chocolate Chips, Almonds and Dried Cranberries, Mixed Nuts and Dried Fruit, Banana and Peanut Butter on Rice Cakes, Apple with Walnuts, Turkey Breast Slices with Rye Crackers, and Sardines on Rye Crackers.
Cool everything quickly and get it into the fridge within one to two hours.
Refrigerate only the portions you will eat within two days — freeze the rest straight away, and move each one to the fridge the night before you need it. Freezing the later part of the week is a food-safety step, not a freshness preference.
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
Buy Waitrose's Waitrose Essential (700+ lines; introduced 2009, relaunched 2020) 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 Waitrose'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 a post-workout combination of fast carbs and protein (banana and whey, or chocolate milk) after harder sessions
Use an extra portion of chicken, fish or tofu on higher-training days rather than cutting carbs to make room
Greek yogurt with fruit and granola covers both protein and carb needs in one snack
🥦 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 Waitrose and is estimated at £70–110 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 162g of protein per day across the week, based on the meals actually selected — well above 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 2,500 kcal target — the difference here is that both protein and carbs are set high together, rather than trading one off against the other.
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 2,500 kcal/day, the Waitrose shopping list, and your chosen household portion sizes.
Is this plan suitable for meal prep?
Yes — this plan is specifically designed for batch cooking. Prep everything on Sunday in 60–90 minutes and portion into containers for the week ahead.
Is this plan suitable for beginners?
Yes. Recipes are rated Batch cook (prep on Sunday) and use ingredients available at Waitrose — no specialist equipment or advanced technique is needed.
