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
✅ Key Benefits
- •225g+ protein daily
- •Carbohydrate-rich meals fuel intense training
- •Multiple daily meals hit calorie targets
- •Includes post-workout nutrition timing
Day 1
1985 kcalBreakfastHigh-Protein Oatmeal
490 kcal · 35g P · 8 min
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
Morning SnackProtein Shake
180 kcal · 28g P · 2 min
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.
LunchChicken & Brown Rice Bowl
520 kcal · 45g P · 25 min
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.
Afternoon SnackBanana with Almond Butter
215 kcal · 4g P · 1 min
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
DinnerLean Beef Bolognaise with Wholegrain Pasta
580 kcal · 46g P · 40 min
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
Day 2
1940 kcalBreakfastAvocado & Poached Egg Toast
450 kcal · 22g P · 12 min
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.
Morning SnackProtein Shake
180 kcal · 28g P · 2 min
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.
LunchBaked Salmon with Vegetables & Rice
550 kcal · 42g P · 25 min
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
Afternoon SnackRice Cakes with Peanut Butter
200 kcal · 6g P · 1 min
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
DinnerTurkey Meatballs with Tomato Sauce & Pasta
560 kcal · 48g P · 35 min
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
Day 3
1775 kcalBreakfastScrambled Eggs on Wholegrain Toast
390 kcal · 28g P · 10 min
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.
Morning SnackBanana with Almond Butter
215 kcal · 4g P · 1 min
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
LunchGrilled Chicken Caesar Salad
430 kcal · 42g P · 20 min
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
Afternoon SnackProtein Shake
180 kcal · 28g P · 2 min
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.
DinnerChicken Tikka Masala with Rice
560 kcal · 45g P · 35 min
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
Day 4
1940 kcalBreakfastHigh-Protein Oatmeal
490 kcal · 35g P · 8 min
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
Morning SnackRice Cakes with Peanut Butter
200 kcal · 6g P · 1 min
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
LunchChicken & Brown Rice Bowl
520 kcal · 45g P · 25 min
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.
Afternoon SnackProtein Shake
180 kcal · 28g P · 2 min
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.
DinnerBaked Salmon with Vegetables & Rice
550 kcal · 42g P · 25 min
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
Day 5
1845 kcalBreakfastScrambled Eggs on Wholegrain Toast
390 kcal · 28g P · 10 min
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.
Morning SnackProtein Shake
180 kcal · 28g P · 2 min
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.
LunchGarlic Prawns with Quinoa & Greens
480 kcal · 38g P · 20 min
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
Afternoon SnackBanana with Almond Butter
215 kcal · 4g P · 1 min
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
DinnerLean Beef Bolognaise with Wholegrain Pasta
580 kcal · 46g P · 40 min
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
Day 6
1965 kcalBreakfastAvocado & Poached Egg Toast
450 kcal · 22g P · 12 min
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.
Morning SnackBanana with Almond Butter
215 kcal · 4g P · 1 min
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
LunchChicken Tikka Masala with Rice
560 kcal · 45g P · 35 min
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
Afternoon SnackProtein Shake
180 kcal · 28g P · 2 min
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.
DinnerTurkey Meatballs with Tomato Sauce & Pasta
560 kcal · 48g P · 35 min
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
Day 7
1940 kcalBreakfastHigh-Protein Oatmeal
490 kcal · 35g P · 8 min
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
Morning SnackProtein Shake
180 kcal · 28g P · 2 min
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.
LunchBaked Salmon with Vegetables & Rice
550 kcal · 42g P · 25 min
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
Afternoon SnackRice Cakes with Peanut Butter
200 kcal · 6g P · 1 min
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
DinnerChicken & Brown Rice Bowl
520 kcal · 45g P · 25 min
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.
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?
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🎯 Try the Free Meal Planner →References
- 1. Phillips SM, Van Loon LJC. (2011). Dietary protein for athletes. J Sports Sci, 29(S1), S29–S38.