Protein without paneer? Dietitian reveals 13 high-protein vegetarian alternatives to boost your diet

Worried your vegetarian diet lacks protein? Discover 13 no-paneer, high-protein foods recommended by a dietitian to power your meals.
A lot of people worry that vegetarian and vegan diets don’t get enough protein, and the first thing that comes to mind is usually paneer. But guess what? There are actually tons of other awesome protein-packed options in a plant-based diet that you might not even know about.
Urvi Gohil, Clinical Dietitian, often shares valuable health and wellness insights with her followers. In her recent post, she revealed the top 13 vegetarian protein sources, excluding paneer. (Also read: Hybrid proteins to plant-based 2.0: Top 10 emerging nutrition trends that will redefine healthy eating in 2025 )
Protein-packed legumes and grains
50 g Masur Dal (raw) – 185 kcal, 9 g protein, 26 g carbs
50 g Quinoa (raw) – 185 kcal, 8.5 g protein, 29 g carbs
50 g Rajgira (raw) – 178 kcal, 7.5 g protein, 31 g carbs
50 g Toor Dal (raw) – 172 kcal, 7.5 g protein, 27 g carbs
50 g Kidney Beans (Rajma, raw) – 171 kcal, 10 g protein, 27 g carbs
50 g White Peas (raw) – 172 kcal, 10 g protein, 28 g carbs
50 g Mung Dal (raw) – 170 kcal, 12 g protein, 30 g carbs
Seeds, nuts, and dairy alternatives
15 g Nutritional Yeast – 60 kcal, 8 g protein, 4 g carbs
2 tbsp Hemp Seeds – 110 kcal, 6.3 g protein, 2 g carbs
2 tbsp Chia Seeds – 137 kcal, 4.7 g protein, 12 g carbs
15 g Almonds – 100 kcal, 3.5 g protein, 3 g carbs
100 g Tofu – 144 kcal, 15 g protein, 2 g carbs
100 g Greek Yogurt – 60 kcal, 10 g protein, 3.6 g carbs
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
ABOUT THE AUTHORAkanksha AgnihotriAkanksha Agnihotri is a lifestyle journalist with over 3 years of experience. She is a psychology graduate and holds a postgraduate diploma in Radio and Television Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi, where she graduated as a gold medalist. Originally from Bhopal, the beautiful capital of Madhya Pradesh, she draws inspiration from the city’s rich cultural heritage and layered storytelling traditions that subtly shape her narrative voice. She writes extensively about fashion, beauty, health, relationships, culture, and food, exploring everything from trending styles and runway moments to wellness routines and mindful living. Passionate about meaningful and candid conversations, she enjoys interviewing celebrities, doctors, designers, and film personalities, diving into discussions on fitness, beauty, mental health, and everything fun in between. With a keen eye for trends and a thoughtful understanding of human behaviour, she brings depth, sensitivity, and authenticity to her stories, ensuring they resonate with a wide and diverse audience. When she’s not working, you’ll usually find her lost in a book, planning her next mountain trek, or mapping out spontaneous travel escapes. She loves discovering new authors, revisiting old favourites, and spending quiet afternoons in museums soaking in art, history, and culture. An avid bird-watching enthusiast, she finds joy in early morning walks, spotting rare birds, and reconnecting with nature. Whether sipping coffee while journaling her thoughts or exploring hidden corners of a new city, she constantly seeks inspiration in everyday moments that often turn into compelling story ideas.Read More
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