Weight Loss: Add These Protein-Rich Snacks To Your Plant-Based Diet

We Indian are known for our indulgent food habits. Many of our classic dishes are best served or paired with a little too butter, oil or ghee and mixed with melange of spices. However, the new generation has very innovatively modified a diet that is as Indian as it can be but is also rich in protein and can be a part of any weight loss diet. Protein is an essential nutrient required by our body to function, from hair and skin to muscles, protein plays a pivotal role in the health of a number of main functions of the body. Heath experts and nutritionists recommend adding good amount of protein to our daily diet. This is mainly because the macro-nutrient helps repair muscles after physical activity, and also retains muscle mass as we age. But other than this, protein is also known to keep facilitate weight loss. Eating foods rich in protein keeps us full for a longer time hence we binge less and don't gain extra calories. 

Our protein requirement may differ from one another, meaning a person who works out in a gym must include more protein-rich foods in their daily diet than others who don't. However, everyone must include a minimum amount of protein in their diets. Even though animal protein is considered to be excellent source of dietary protein, plant-based diet also has plentiful foods that are rich in proteins. And since now a lot of people are adapting plant-based diets, it is very important to identify plant-based foods that are not only rich in protein but are also easily available.  Here we have curated a list of plant-based protein-rich snacks that you can add to your weight loss diet.

Weight Loss Diet: Plant-Based Protein-Rich Snacks

Soya

Soya is one of plant-based foods that is a good source of protein and can be consumed in a number of forms. Soya is low in fat with zero cholesterol and contains all eight amino acids (proteins). Click on the links below for soya recipes that you can try at home:

1.    Thai Soyabean in Cabbage Cups Recipe
2.    Homemade Chaap Recipe
3.    Soya Uttappams Recipe
4.    Zucchini Stuffed with Soya Recipe
5.    Mini Soya Dosa Recipe

Also Read: How Much Protein Is Enough? Celeb Nutritionist Rashi Chowdhary Reveals ‘All About Protein'

Oats

Oats are a type of cereal that are commonly consumed as oatmeal or rolled oats. This cereal is considered for its vast nutrition profile and its versatile nature as it can be added into different kinds of dishes. Click on the links below to know interesting oats recipes:

1.    Oats and Almond Biscuits Recipe
2.    Cinnamon Oatmeal Pancakes Recipe
3.    Oatmeal & Raisin Cookies Recipe
4.    Banana Oat Bread Recipe
5.    Low Calorie Oats Idli Recipe

Lentils

It's a well-known fact that lentils are an excellent source of dietary protein. They are good for our stomach and aid digestion. Lentils, when consumed, induce satiety and gives a feeling of fullness. Here are some interesting lentil snack recipes that you can make at home:

1.    Lentils, Pumpkins and Cranberry Soup Recipe
2.    Green Lentil Dessert Fudge Recipe
3.    Lentil and Charred Broccoli Chaat Recipe

Also Read: 10 Delicious and Healthy Protein Snacks to Up Your Energy Levels

Tofu

Tofu is largely popular among the vegan population and is a good vegan substitute of paneer (cottage cheese). Tofu is not only rich in proteins but also low in calories, which is good for weight loss. Here are a few tofu-based food items that you can prepare at home:

1.    Tofu Bhurji Recipe
2.    Tofu with Spinach in Black Pepper Sauce Recipe
3.    Tofu with Vegetables in Black Bean Sauce Recipe

Chickpeas

This leguminous plant has generous quantities of naturally occuring protein. A 100-gram quantity provides about 19 grams of protein as per the USDA. Those who do not eat animal-based protein are highly recommended to eat chickpeas a part of their daily diet. Their impressive fibre content helps maintain a healthy gut. Further, they aid bone health with exceptional quantities of calcium, phosphorous and magnesium. Here are a few easy snacks to prepare with chickpeas:

1. Ragda Pattice
2. Spinach Soup with Chickpeas
3. Chickpea Soup
4. Cranberry Chana Chaat With Mango
5. Spiced Paneer, Chana and Apple Salad
6. Channa Madra

Peanuts

If you are still on the quest for protein-rich foods that are plant-based, look no further than the humble peanut. This legume crop is typically grown in the tropical and subtropical regions but is now popular world over. The amount of protein content in peanuts will take you aback. A mere 100 grams of peanuts has approximately 26 grams of protein in it, thereby making it an excellent addition to your protein-rich diet. Wondering how to add it to your diet? Here are a few ideas:

1. Sweet Corn Chaat With Peanuts
2. Cucumber Peanut Salad
3. Peanut Chikki 
4. Peanut Rice Cakes 

Amaranth

Amaranth was a grain traditionally consumed by the Aztecs and has been around for 8,000 years. Just like its distant cousins buckwheat and quinoa, amaranth is also the seed of a plant. Amaranth is well-known for its high-quality protein as well as for being a good source of amino acids. Amino acids are building blocks for the body, and they aid metabolism too. If you're looking to consume Amaranth in your daily diet, here are a few recipe ideas:

1. Almond and Amaranth Laddoo 
2. Amaranthus Granola With Lemon Yogurt
3. Amaranth Tikkis 
4. Gluten-Free Amaranth Tabouleh

Quinoa

An undoubtedly great source of protein, Quinoa is also beneficial for the heart. Quinoa is also called a 'complete' source of protein, because it contains all the essential amino acids. The grain is also cooked in the same way as rice, which makes it easily adaptable into the Indian diet. Further, quinoa grains are easy to digest and make for a great diet component for people who want to gluten-free. Here are a few recipes for quinoa to find its way into your diet:

1. Mandarin Quinoa Salad
2. Coconut Lime Quinoa Salad
3. Quinoa Couscous and Beetroot Tikki 
4. Orange Quinoa Seviyan 
5. Strawberry Quinoa Pancakes
6. Quinoa Crackers

Since all of these plant-based protein-rich foods are ideal to be added to any weight loss diet, but do consult your nutritionist or dietitian before doing so.