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Lean Bulk Meal Plan

A lean bulk uses a conservative 200–300 calorie surplus to support muscle growth while minimising fat accumulation — slower than a traditional bulk but better body composition results long-term.

2700

kcal/day

30%

Protein

50%

Carbs

20%

Fat

P 36%C 52%F 12%

✅ Key Benefits

  • Minimal fat gain vs aggressive bulk
  • 200g+ protein supports maximum muscle synthesis
  • Clean food sources support consistent gym performance
  • Sustainable long-term approach
⚕️ 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

1965 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

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 & 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

Cottage Cheese & Pineapple

160 kcal · 18g P · 2 min

Low-fat cottage cheese with fresh pineapple chunks.

Ingredients:

  • 150g low-fat cottage cheese
  • 80g fresh pineapple
P: 18gC: 16gF: 2g
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: 148gCarbs: 212gFat: 49g

Day 2

1760 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

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

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: 152gCarbs: 147gFat: 55g

Day 3

1930 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

Apple & Almonds

190 kcal · 4g P · 1 min

1 medium apple with 20g unsalted almonds.

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium apple
  • 20g unsalted almonds
P: 4gC: 24gF: 10g
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: 141gCarbs: 170gFat: 68g

Day 4

1965 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

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 & 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

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: 160gCarbs: 205gFat: 47g

Day 5

1880 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

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

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

Cottage Cheese & Pineapple

160 kcal · 18g P · 2 min

Low-fat cottage cheese with fresh pineapple chunks.

Ingredients:

  • 150g low-fat cottage cheese
  • 80g fresh pineapple
P: 18gC: 16gF: 2g
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: 140gCarbs: 177gFat: 57g

Day 6

1835 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

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

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

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
Protein: 141gCarbs: 153gFat: 67g

Day 7

1870 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

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

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: 152gCarbs: 194gFat: 46g

Who Is This Plan For?

Intermediate to advanced lifters who want to build muscle without excessive fat gain.

🔄 Substitution Tips

  • Track weight weekly — aim for 0.25–0.5 kg gain per month.
  • If not gaining, add 100 calories more from carbs.
  • If gaining too fast, remove one snack.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a lean bulk last?
Most lean bulks run 3–6 months aiming for 1–2 kg of muscle per month, then a short cut to reduce any fat accumulated.

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References

  1. 1. Schoenfeld BJ. (2010). The mechanisms of muscle hypertrophy. J Strength Cond Res, 24(10), 2857–2872.