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
✅ 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
Day 1
1965 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 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 & 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 SnackCottage Cheese & Pineapple
160 kcal · 18g P · 2 min
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
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
1760 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.
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 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
1930 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 SnackApple & Almonds
190 kcal · 4g P · 1 min
Apple & Almonds
190 kcal · 4g P · 1 min
1 medium apple with 20g unsalted almonds.
Ingredients:
- •1 medium apple
- •20g unsalted almonds
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
1965 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 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 & 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.
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 5
1880 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 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
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 SnackCottage Cheese & Pineapple
160 kcal · 18g P · 2 min
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
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
1835 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.
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 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
DinnerGrilled 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
Day 7
1870 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.
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 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?
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?
🔗 Related Tools & Plans
Want a plan tailored to you?
Answer 5 quick questions and get your perfect meal plan instantly.
🎯 Try the Free Meal Planner →References
- 1. Schoenfeld BJ. (2010). The mechanisms of muscle hypertrophy. J Strength Cond Res, 24(10), 2857–2872.