Waitrose Protein-Focused Vegan Low Calorie Plan — 1,600 kcal
Vegans working to a lower daily calorie target. This 7-day plan targets 1,600 kcal/day and averages 71g of protein, built around Waitrose's Waitrose Essential (700+ lines; introduced 2009, relaunched 2020) for an estimated £55–70/week. Meals lean on lower-fat plant protein — tofu, tempeh, seitan, pulses and soya — 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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We'll send: Waitrose Protein-Focused Vegan Low Calorie Plan — 1,600 kcal
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Adjust Household PortionsCurrently 1 person · 1 cook portions
Your 7-Day Meal Plan
Monday
Oat Porridge with Berries
Made with rolled oats, oat milk, frozen mixed berries.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 70g rolled oats
- 275ml oat milk
- 70g frozen mixed berries
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten. 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 frozen mixed berries.
Miso Tofu and Edamame Bowl
Made with silken tofu, edamame beans, brown rice.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 125g silken tofu
- 90g edamame beans
- 70g brown rice (dry weight)
- 1 tbsp miso paste
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Sesame, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Cook the brown rice according to its packet instructions.
- Cook the edamame beans in boiling water for 3-4 minutes, then drain.
- Mix the miso paste and soy sauce with a tablespoon of hot water to make a dressing.
- Cut the silken tofu gently into cubes; it is too delicate to fry. Arrange the rice, edamame and tofu in a bowl, spoon over the dressing and scatter with sesame seeds.
Butternut Squash and Lentil Soup with Bread
Made with butternut squash, red lentils, onion.
Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ medium butternut squash (about 350g)
- 90g red lentils
- 1 onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 625ml vegetable stock
- 1 wholemeal roll
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten. Check the label for: Celery, Sesame, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
- Peel and chop onion, garlic and medium butternut squash into even pieces.
- Heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat and soften onion, garlic and medium butternut squash for 5-7 minutes, adding a splash of water if the pan starts to stick.
- Stir in vegetable stock, then add red lentils and simmer gently until tender and thickened.
- Taste, season and serve with wholemeal roll on the side.
Weekly Shopping List
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Estimated cost: £55–70/week for 1 person from Waitrose. 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 21 prep-friendly meals. Start with 11 main containers, 5 small sauce or snack tubs, and 2 freezer tubs.
Use 3 five-container glass packs to provide at least 11 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
Waitrose Shopping Evidence Notes
These basket notes explain why this plan is shaped around certain ingredients and swaps before you open the shopping list.
- Use Waitrose own-label basics first, then reserve premium ingredients for meals where quality noticeably improves the week.
- Watch the basket total by keeping carbohydrates, tins, oats and freezer staples simple.
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 1,600 kcal per day | Moderate targets balance breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks without extreme restriction. |
| Supermarket | Waitrose | Waitrose pages suit quality-focused produce, fish, dairy, higher-welfare protein and premium but controlled shops. |
| Budget | £55–70/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 Waitrose
Premium positioning, but the Essential range is competitive on staples and keeps a plan viable without paying premium prices throughout.
What Waitrose is good for here
- Essential covers most core prep ingredients, so cost sits well below the headline Waitrose reputation.
- 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 berries for the berry meals in this plan
💪 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 Waitrose and is estimated at £55–70 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 71g 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 1,600 kcal target — the difference here is that the meal selection is biased toward higher-protein plant foods rather than just hitting a protein number however it can.
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 1,600 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 vegan eaters?
Yes. Every meal in this plan is vegan, using ingredients readily available from Waitrose.
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