10 High-Protein Indian Foods That Support Weight Loss

Are you looking for protein-rich Indian food for weight loss? Is your growing belly pouch pushing you to take major steps in your diet routine? Cutting carbohydrates and fat from your diet is not always easy, and if you live in an Indian family, restricting yourself to a particular diet plan can be a real challenge. It’s not always easy to stick to your high-protein diet in an Indian household, because you can barely find food sources which are rich in protein.

But I can tell you there are multiple food options available for you if you have proper guidance. High protein Indian diet can be challenging to discover, but not impossible to achieve.

Don’t beat yourself, I am here to suggest some awesome, mouthwatering and effective low-calorie Indian food which is rich in protein, so you do not suffer while losing your excess weight.

10 High-Protein Food

Let’s find out some great Indian food that you can eat when you are dieting hard, and trying to cut down your fat intake. Here I will be giving you 10 awesome food recommendations that you can absolutely include in your meals without worrying about your calorie count.

1. Grilled Tandoori Chicken

Who doesn’t like a good plate of tandoori chicken? It is one of those dishes which will never make you feel sad about your weight loss journey, and won't make you feel that you are not just cutting your food but also cutting your happiness. You don’t have to compromise with your cravings anymore.

All you need is chicken and some basic masalas. Chicken is a rich source of lean protein, and while you marinate the chicken with some yoghurt, it becomes an even better source of protein. Add some vegetables and grill the marinated chicken, and you are good to go. Yum! You have a tasty yet high-protein Indian diet, which is also low in calories, just perfect for your weight loss process.

2. Dal Tadka

If you are a true Indian, Dal Tadka has to be your soul food, which is a protein rich Indian food for weight loss. If you are a vegetarian and looking for a high-protein source then Lentils should be at the top of your list. Lentils are plant-based proteins which can easily fulfil your daily protein requirement. You can use both red and yellow lentils in your meal to make your food protein-rich. Give a little tadka to your boring dal with just a bit of oil, and some spices like turmeric, cumin, ginger, hing, bay leaf, garlic, tomato and onion. I am sure you are gonna thank me later.

3. Paneer Tikka Masala

This is another favourite recipe of mine, and perfect for you if you are looking for a vegetarian, delicious high-protein meal. Paneer or Cottage Cheese is one of the high protein, dairy-based products which is also a rich source of vitamins and calcium. Just like the chicken tandoori, you can marinate the paneer cubes with yoghurt and other masalas. You can grill them or bake them and serve them with a side of salad or you can prepare a curry in which you can put the paneer. I can assure you that not only your body, but your soul will thank you for this.

4. Dalia Khichdi

Okay, so another very reliable plant-based vegetable protein I am suggesting here, which you might find very effective for your weight loss journey. Dalia Khichdi can easily be your staple dish in the weight-loss journey. Per 100 gms of Dalia, you can get approximately 12 gms of protein. And when you are cooking it as a khichdi, you put lentils which is also a high protein source. So, dalia khichdi combined with vegetables makes it a protein-rich Indian food for weight loss.

5. Soybean Pulao

If you are a vegetarian, I have another great recipe, which is not only protein-rich but also great for your cravings for good food. We Indians love Pulao, and if we can make it with high protein ingredients like soybean chunks, it not only becomes delicious but also becomes a very tasty one. 100 gms of soybean chunks contain around 36 gms of protein. So you will have a good lunch that will help you in your weight loss process.

6. Sprouts Chilla/Pancake

Moong dal sprouts are absolutely an excellent source of protein which can become a part of your breakfast and dinner. You might be bored with the same sprouts salad, and want to have it in other ways. If you use sprouts as the base of your chilla, you can get a good protein-rich Indian food for the weight loss process. Add a pinch of salt, some masala, and grated veggies in your sprouts chilla mix and brush a little oil or ghee in your pan. Oh, you have good protein-based, low-calorie Indian food on your menu. Many people use sprouts for weight loss, but they do not have this on their menu, so do it and make your journey easy.

7. Chicken Salad

You are already aware that chicken is a very rich source of lean protein, so including that in your regular menu is very much recommended. If you want to have a light dinner that is rich in protein, high in vitamins and minerals, and low in carbs, then preparing a bowl of chicken salad is all you need. Boil some chicken breast, prepare your leafy vegetables, and mix the two well, you can add a little salt and pepper to it, and Voila! You are good to go.

8. Anda Bhurji

As a non-vegetarian Indian, eggs are something that you can rely on for your diet. But I know you are bored with the same boiled eggs. Eggs are a very protein-rich food, and if you are making a low-oil and bhurji for your breakfast or dinner, it will give you around 10 gms of protein, and if you add more than one egg you will get more protein. So make a low-oil, low-masala, less fried egg bhurji, and you will get another tasty protein-rich Indian food that will fill your soul and body.

9. Steamed Fish with Banana Leaf

If you are a fish-loving Indian, and trying to lose some weight, I have the best solution for you. You can definitely try the very tasty banana leaf-wrapped steamed fish recipe for your weight loss journey. Steamed fish are high in calories, and low in fat, and using them in the traditional Indian cooking method like wrapped in Banana leaf can make it tasty as well as healthy.

10. Paya Soup

If you are a fan of red meat, but also trying to maintain your weight, you might wanna try this age-old recipe, Paya Soup. It is made with mutton or lamb trotters, which is a very rich source of protein. Prepare the soup with some basic masala, and a little bit of ghee or butter, and put it in the simmer for a long time. You will get authentic, flavourful and tasty protein-rich Indian food for your weight loss journey.

FAQs

1. Which protein-rich Indian food is best for weight loss?

Dal Tadka, Dalia Khichdi, Sprouts Chilla, and Grilled Chicken Tandoori are some of the best protein-rich Indian foods for weight loss.

2. How can I prepare protein-rich Indian food properly?

You can look for good recipes for protein-rich Indian food on the website of Crunch Fitness India if you are serious. You need to prepare it by limiting the other ingredients, which contain fat.

3. What are Indian vegetarian protein sources?

Lentils and Legumes are some of the most reliable vegetarian protein sources in India. Dal, soybean, and sprouts are some of the best protein sources for Indian vegetarians.

4. Can I add rice along with the protein-rich food if I want to lose weight?

Yes, you can add rice to your protein-rich meal, but you need to be very careful about the portion. Rice is a rich source of carbohydrates and fat, so if you take a full plate of it along with your protein-rich food, it will be counterproductive. So in moderation, count the calories you can take to maintain the deficit.

In A Nutshell

So I believe the recommendations that I have given you regarding the protein-rich Indian food for weight loss are gonna help you in your journey. You can add these recipes to your routine, and you will no longer crave good and tasty food because you will already be consuming them. Losing weight and maintaining a diet should not feel like a punishment, but a source of enjoyment. I hope you will have a great journey ahead of you.