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3000 Calorie Meal Plan

A 3000 calorie diet supports serious muscle building in men with moderate to high activity levels. This plan provides 225g+ protein with quality carbohydrates for training fuel.

3000

kcal/day

30%

Protein

45%

Carbs

25%

Fat

P 38%C 50%F 12%

✅ Key Benefits

  • 225g+ protein daily
  • Carbohydrate-rich meals fuel intense training
  • Multiple daily meals hit calorie targets
  • Includes post-workout nutrition timing
⚕️ This meal plan is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or dietary advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional or registered dietitian before making significant dietary changes.

Day 1

1985 kcal
Breakfast

High-Protein Oatmeal

490 kcal · 35g P · 8 min

Oats cooked with milk, stirred through with a scoop of unflavoured protein powder and topped with banana and almond butter.

Ingredients:

  • 80g rolled oats
  • 300ml semi-skimmed milk
  • 1 scoop protein powder
  • 1 banana
  • 1 tbsp almond butter
P: 35gC: 58gF: 12g
Morning Snack

Protein Shake

180 kcal · 28g P · 2 min

1 scoop of protein powder blended with 250ml skimmed milk.

Ingredients:

  • 1 scoop whey or plant protein powder
  • 250ml skimmed milk or unsweetened almond milk

Add a banana for extra carbohydrates post-workout.

P: 28gC: 12gF: 2g
Lunch

Chicken & Brown Rice Bowl

520 kcal · 45g P · 25 min

Grilled chicken breast over brown rice with roasted broccoli and a tahini drizzle.

Ingredients:

  • 180g chicken breast
  • 150g cooked brown rice
  • 150g broccoli
  • 1 tbsp tahini
  • lemon juice
  • garlic

Batch-cook chicken and rice on Sunday to prep lunches for the week.

P: 45gC: 50gF: 12g
Afternoon Snack

Banana with Almond Butter

215 kcal · 4g P · 1 min

1 medium banana with 1 tablespoon of almond butter.

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium banana
  • 1 tbsp almond butter
P: 4gC: 30gF: 9g
Dinner

Lean Beef Bolognaise with Wholegrain Pasta

580 kcal · 46g P · 40 min

Slow-cooked lean beef mince bolognaise with wholegrain spaghetti and a sprinkle of parmesan.

Ingredients:

  • 150g lean beef mince (5% fat)
  • 80g wholegrain spaghetti
  • 200ml tomato passata
  • 1 onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 carrot
  • 10g parmesan
P: 46gC: 58gF: 14g
Protein: 158gCarbs: 208gFat: 49g

Day 2

1940 kcal
Breakfast

Avocado & Poached Egg Toast

450 kcal · 22g P · 12 min

Mashed avocado on 2 slices wholegrain toast topped with 2 poached eggs and chilli flakes.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 avocado
  • 2 slices wholegrain bread
  • 2 large eggs
  • chilli flakes
  • lemon juice
  • salt

Add smoked salmon for extra protein if not avoiding fish.

P: 22gC: 34gF: 24g
Morning Snack

Protein Shake

180 kcal · 28g P · 2 min

1 scoop of protein powder blended with 250ml skimmed milk.

Ingredients:

  • 1 scoop whey or plant protein powder
  • 250ml skimmed milk or unsweetened almond milk

Add a banana for extra carbohydrates post-workout.

P: 28gC: 12gF: 2g
Lunch

Baked Salmon with Vegetables & Rice

550 kcal · 42g P · 25 min

Lemon-herb baked salmon fillet with steamed green beans and brown rice.

Ingredients:

  • 180g salmon fillet
  • 150g cooked brown rice
  • 100g green beans
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • dill or parsley
P: 42gC: 45gF: 18g
Afternoon Snack

Rice Cakes with Peanut Butter

200 kcal · 6g P · 1 min

2 plain rice cakes with 1 tablespoon of natural peanut butter.

Ingredients:

  • 2 plain rice cakes
  • 1 tbsp natural peanut butter
P: 6gC: 26gF: 8g
Dinner

Turkey Meatballs with Tomato Sauce & Pasta

560 kcal · 48g P · 35 min

Lean turkey meatballs in a rich tomato sauce served over wholegrain penne.

Ingredients:

  • 180g lean turkey mince
  • 80g wholegrain penne
  • 200ml tomato passata
  • 1 egg
  • 1 clove garlic
  • mixed herbs
  • 10g parmesan
P: 48gC: 55gF: 12g
Protein: 146gCarbs: 172gFat: 64g

Day 3

1775 kcal
Breakfast

Scrambled Eggs on Wholegrain Toast

390 kcal · 28g P · 10 min

3 eggs scrambled with spinach, served on 2 slices wholegrain toast with sliced tomato.

Ingredients:

  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 slices wholegrain bread
  • 50g spinach
  • 1 medium tomato
  • 1 tsp olive oil

Add a pinch of turmeric to eggs for anti-inflammatory benefit.

P: 28gC: 32gF: 15g
Morning Snack

Banana with Almond Butter

215 kcal · 4g P · 1 min

1 medium banana with 1 tablespoon of almond butter.

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium banana
  • 1 tbsp almond butter
P: 4gC: 30gF: 9g
Lunch

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

430 kcal · 42g P · 20 min

Romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, parmesan shavings, and wholegrain croutons with light Caesar dressing.

Ingredients:

  • 160g chicken breast
  • 100g romaine lettuce
  • 20g parmesan
  • 30g wholegrain croutons
  • 2 tbsp light Caesar dressing
P: 42gC: 22gF: 18g
Afternoon Snack

Protein Shake

180 kcal · 28g P · 2 min

1 scoop of protein powder blended with 250ml skimmed milk.

Ingredients:

  • 1 scoop whey or plant protein powder
  • 250ml skimmed milk or unsweetened almond milk

Add a banana for extra carbohydrates post-workout.

P: 28gC: 12gF: 2g
Dinner

Chicken Tikka Masala with Rice

560 kcal · 45g P · 35 min

Tender chicken in a rich tomato-based tikka sauce with fragrant spices, served with steamed basmati rice.

Ingredients:

  • 200g chicken breast
  • 200ml tomato passata
  • 150g basmati rice
  • 1 onion
  • garlic
  • ginger
  • 1 tsp tikka masala spice blend
  • 2 tbsp low-fat yogurt
  • 1 tsp oil
P: 45gC: 55gF: 14g
Protein: 147gCarbs: 151gFat: 58g

Day 4

1940 kcal
Breakfast

High-Protein Oatmeal

490 kcal · 35g P · 8 min

Oats cooked with milk, stirred through with a scoop of unflavoured protein powder and topped with banana and almond butter.

Ingredients:

  • 80g rolled oats
  • 300ml semi-skimmed milk
  • 1 scoop protein powder
  • 1 banana
  • 1 tbsp almond butter
P: 35gC: 58gF: 12g
Morning Snack

Rice Cakes with Peanut Butter

200 kcal · 6g P · 1 min

2 plain rice cakes with 1 tablespoon of natural peanut butter.

Ingredients:

  • 2 plain rice cakes
  • 1 tbsp natural peanut butter
P: 6gC: 26gF: 8g
Lunch

Chicken & Brown Rice Bowl

520 kcal · 45g P · 25 min

Grilled chicken breast over brown rice with roasted broccoli and a tahini drizzle.

Ingredients:

  • 180g chicken breast
  • 150g cooked brown rice
  • 150g broccoli
  • 1 tbsp tahini
  • lemon juice
  • garlic

Batch-cook chicken and rice on Sunday to prep lunches for the week.

P: 45gC: 50gF: 12g
Afternoon Snack

Protein Shake

180 kcal · 28g P · 2 min

1 scoop of protein powder blended with 250ml skimmed milk.

Ingredients:

  • 1 scoop whey or plant protein powder
  • 250ml skimmed milk or unsweetened almond milk

Add a banana for extra carbohydrates post-workout.

P: 28gC: 12gF: 2g
Dinner

Baked Salmon with Vegetables & Rice

550 kcal · 42g P · 25 min

Lemon-herb baked salmon fillet with steamed green beans and brown rice.

Ingredients:

  • 180g salmon fillet
  • 150g cooked brown rice
  • 100g green beans
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • dill or parsley
P: 42gC: 45gF: 18g
Protein: 156gCarbs: 191gFat: 52g

Day 5

1845 kcal
Breakfast

Scrambled Eggs on Wholegrain Toast

390 kcal · 28g P · 10 min

3 eggs scrambled with spinach, served on 2 slices wholegrain toast with sliced tomato.

Ingredients:

  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 slices wholegrain bread
  • 50g spinach
  • 1 medium tomato
  • 1 tsp olive oil

Add a pinch of turmeric to eggs for anti-inflammatory benefit.

P: 28gC: 32gF: 15g
Morning Snack

Protein Shake

180 kcal · 28g P · 2 min

1 scoop of protein powder blended with 250ml skimmed milk.

Ingredients:

  • 1 scoop whey or plant protein powder
  • 250ml skimmed milk or unsweetened almond milk

Add a banana for extra carbohydrates post-workout.

P: 28gC: 12gF: 2g
Lunch

Garlic Prawns with Quinoa & Greens

480 kcal · 38g P · 20 min

Juicy garlic-butter prawns on a bed of quinoa with wilted spinach and lemon.

Ingredients:

  • 200g raw king prawns
  • 150g cooked quinoa
  • 100g spinach
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • lemon
P: 38gC: 48gF: 12g
Afternoon Snack

Banana with Almond Butter

215 kcal · 4g P · 1 min

1 medium banana with 1 tablespoon of almond butter.

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium banana
  • 1 tbsp almond butter
P: 4gC: 30gF: 9g
Dinner

Lean Beef Bolognaise with Wholegrain Pasta

580 kcal · 46g P · 40 min

Slow-cooked lean beef mince bolognaise with wholegrain spaghetti and a sprinkle of parmesan.

Ingredients:

  • 150g lean beef mince (5% fat)
  • 80g wholegrain spaghetti
  • 200ml tomato passata
  • 1 onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 carrot
  • 10g parmesan
P: 46gC: 58gF: 14g
Protein: 144gCarbs: 180gFat: 52g

Day 6

1965 kcal
Breakfast

Avocado & Poached Egg Toast

450 kcal · 22g P · 12 min

Mashed avocado on 2 slices wholegrain toast topped with 2 poached eggs and chilli flakes.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 avocado
  • 2 slices wholegrain bread
  • 2 large eggs
  • chilli flakes
  • lemon juice
  • salt

Add smoked salmon for extra protein if not avoiding fish.

P: 22gC: 34gF: 24g
Morning Snack

Banana with Almond Butter

215 kcal · 4g P · 1 min

1 medium banana with 1 tablespoon of almond butter.

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium banana
  • 1 tbsp almond butter
P: 4gC: 30gF: 9g
Lunch

Chicken Tikka Masala with Rice

560 kcal · 45g P · 35 min

Tender chicken in a rich tomato-based tikka sauce with fragrant spices, served with steamed basmati rice.

Ingredients:

  • 200g chicken breast
  • 200ml tomato passata
  • 150g basmati rice
  • 1 onion
  • garlic
  • ginger
  • 1 tsp tikka masala spice blend
  • 2 tbsp low-fat yogurt
  • 1 tsp oil
P: 45gC: 55gF: 14g
Afternoon Snack

Protein Shake

180 kcal · 28g P · 2 min

1 scoop of protein powder blended with 250ml skimmed milk.

Ingredients:

  • 1 scoop whey or plant protein powder
  • 250ml skimmed milk or unsweetened almond milk

Add a banana for extra carbohydrates post-workout.

P: 28gC: 12gF: 2g
Dinner

Turkey Meatballs with Tomato Sauce & Pasta

560 kcal · 48g P · 35 min

Lean turkey meatballs in a rich tomato sauce served over wholegrain penne.

Ingredients:

  • 180g lean turkey mince
  • 80g wholegrain penne
  • 200ml tomato passata
  • 1 egg
  • 1 clove garlic
  • mixed herbs
  • 10g parmesan
P: 48gC: 55gF: 12g
Protein: 147gCarbs: 186gFat: 61g

Day 7

1940 kcal
Breakfast

High-Protein Oatmeal

490 kcal · 35g P · 8 min

Oats cooked with milk, stirred through with a scoop of unflavoured protein powder and topped with banana and almond butter.

Ingredients:

  • 80g rolled oats
  • 300ml semi-skimmed milk
  • 1 scoop protein powder
  • 1 banana
  • 1 tbsp almond butter
P: 35gC: 58gF: 12g
Morning Snack

Protein Shake

180 kcal · 28g P · 2 min

1 scoop of protein powder blended with 250ml skimmed milk.

Ingredients:

  • 1 scoop whey or plant protein powder
  • 250ml skimmed milk or unsweetened almond milk

Add a banana for extra carbohydrates post-workout.

P: 28gC: 12gF: 2g
Lunch

Baked Salmon with Vegetables & Rice

550 kcal · 42g P · 25 min

Lemon-herb baked salmon fillet with steamed green beans and brown rice.

Ingredients:

  • 180g salmon fillet
  • 150g cooked brown rice
  • 100g green beans
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • dill or parsley
P: 42gC: 45gF: 18g
Afternoon Snack

Rice Cakes with Peanut Butter

200 kcal · 6g P · 1 min

2 plain rice cakes with 1 tablespoon of natural peanut butter.

Ingredients:

  • 2 plain rice cakes
  • 1 tbsp natural peanut butter
P: 6gC: 26gF: 8g
Dinner

Chicken & Brown Rice Bowl

520 kcal · 45g P · 25 min

Grilled chicken breast over brown rice with roasted broccoli and a tahini drizzle.

Ingredients:

  • 180g chicken breast
  • 150g cooked brown rice
  • 150g broccoli
  • 1 tbsp tahini
  • lemon juice
  • garlic

Batch-cook chicken and rice on Sunday to prep lunches for the week.

P: 45gC: 50gF: 12g
Protein: 156gCarbs: 191gFat: 52g

Who Is This Plan For?

Active men and hardgainers seeking to build significant muscle mass, or very active individuals with high energy needs.

🔄 Substitution Tips

  • Add extra rice or oats to boost calories if needed.
  • Double protein shake servings around workouts.
  • Add olive oil to meals to increase calorie density.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 3000 calories too many for most people?
For sedentary adults, yes. But for men doing serious strength training (4–6 sessions/week), TDEE can easily exceed 3000 calories. Always calculate your TDEE first.

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References

  1. 1. Phillips SM, Van Loon LJC. (2011). Dietary protein for athletes. J Sports Sci, 29(S1), S29–S38.