Struggling to meet daily protein target? Nutritionist shares simple but efficient swaps
Protein is one of the non-negotiables in your diet. Don't miss it out. Embrace smart food choices to meet your protein target.
Protein is one of the fundamentals of a foolproof diet plan. It provides many benefits, from supporting muscle growth and repair to keeping you fuller for a long period and preventing overeating. But occasionally, you might fall back on protein powders and bars to sprint to the target. But what if you can reach the target easily without breaking a sweat?

The trick is swapping a few ingredients in your diet, which will effortlessly help you get closer to your daily protein goal.
Nutritionist Shalini Sudhakar took to Instagram to share some simple swaps to increase your protein intake:
Greek yoghurt in place of curd
Many Indian households include curd in meals- from raitas or side dishes on a daily basis. But curd can be swapped with an alternative that is protein-rich.
She shared, “This (curd) is just three grams of protein but this (greek yoghurt) is twelve grams of protein.”
Add soy flour to ata
Roti is prepared with the common, usual wheat flour. Instead, add soy flour to your flour.
Shalini explained, “Instead of having your plain roti, add 50% soy flour to your ata. This (regular roti) is just 3 grams of protein in a roti but when you add soy flour, you have 10 grams of protein in one roti."
Soy flour is a plant-based protein that enhances the protein profile of your meal. Just imagine how this simple swap can help you meet your daily protein requirements. Roti is a staple in most households, and the small yet essential change in flour can be a big gamechanger for your protein intake.
Two glasses of water with chia seeds
Hydration is important, but it's nutritionally shallow. It’s time to make your water work harder for you. With the addition of chia seeds, you can make it more nutritious.
Shalini added, “Instead of having plain water, have at least two glasses of water with chia seeds. This easily gives you 10 grams of protein and additional eight grams of fibre as an anti-inflammatory, excellent for your skin and health.”
ALSO READ: Are you consuming too much protein? Experts share the safe limits of intake and debunk common myths
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 AUTHORAdrija DeyAdrija Dey’s proclivity for observation fuels her storytelling instinct. As a lifestyle journalist, she crafts compelling, relatable narratives across diverse touchpoints of the human experience, including wellness, mental health, relationships, interior design, home decor, food, travel, and fashion that gently nudge readers toward living a little better. For her, stories exist in flesh and bones, carried by human vessels and shaped through everyday endeavours. It is the small stories we live and share that make us human. After all, humans and their lores are the most natural and raw repositories of stories, and uncovering them, for her, is akin to peeling an orange under a winter afternoon sun. Always up for a chat, she believes the best stories come from unfiltered yapping, where "too much information" is kind of the point. A graduate of Indraprastha College for Women, University of Delhi, and an alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi, Adrija spends her idle hours cocooned with herbal tea and a gripping thriller, scribbling inner monologues she loosely calls poetic pieces, often with her succulents in attendance. On lazier days, she can be found binge-watching, for the nth time, one from her comfort-show holy trinity: The Office (US), Brooklyn Nine-Nine, or Modern Family. Dancing by herself to her peppy playlists, however, is an everyday ritual she swears by religiously.Read More
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