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Food blogger shares easy-to-make healthy poha recipe loaded with 16g protein for the perfect breakfast

Updated on: Feb 19, 2026, 22:01:34 IST
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Kirti's poha recipe is rich in protein but keeps calorie count at just 260. (Pinterest)
Kirti's poha recipe is rich in protein but keeps calorie count at just 260. (Pinterest)

Kirti's low-calorie, high-protein poha is the perfect vegetarian meal to start the day on a healthy note. 

Breakfast is popularly known to be the most important meal of the day, and as such, it is essential to make it as nutritious as possible. And among the macronutrients that the body requires, the importance of protein can rarely be overstated.

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As a structural component of our body, protein is essential for building and repairing tissues, maintaining muscle mass, supporting the immune system, and regulating metabolism.

According to Healthline, the consumption of protein in breakfast has also been linked with added health benefits, such as losing weight and belly fat. Since protein helps us feel full, a high-protein breakfast curbs hunger and cravings, thereby helping reduce calorie intake throughout the day.

For non-vegetarians, adding eggs to breakfast is an easy way to get the necessary protein in the morning. However, it is slightly more challenging for vegetarians. To help out in this situation, food blogger Kirti, who goes by the social media handle thevegetarianladki, took to Instagram on February 18 to share the recipe for a high-protein breakfast poha.

Each serving of the dish contains approximately 16 grams of protein while keeping the calorie count between 255 and 260. It also balances carbohydrates with fibre and moderate healthy fats, shared Kirti. The recipe, with ingredient measurements for two servings, is presented below.

Ingredients for high-protein breakfast poha:

  • 1 katori poha (washed & soaked)
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tsp natural sugar / coconut sugar
  • Less than ½ tbsp desi ghee
  • 1 tsp rai (mustard seeds)
  • 1 tsp jeera (cumin seeds)
  • Curry leaves
  • 1–2 green chillies (chopped)
  • 1 small onion (chopped)
  • 1 small capsicum (chopped)
  • 70g moong sprouts
  • 70g boiled green peas
  • 100g low-fat paneer (cubed)
  • Turmeric powder
  • Red chilli powder
  • Chaat masala
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Fresh coriander (chopped)

Method of preparation:

  1. Wash and soak poha. Add salt and natural sugar. Mix and keep aside.
  2. Heat ghee in a pan. Add rai, jeera, curry leaves, and green chillies.
  3. Add onion and capsicum. Sauté well.
  4. Add sprouts and boiled peas. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
  5. Add paneer cubes and dry spices. Mix gently.
  6. Add soaked poha and combine everything well.
  7. Finish with lemon juice and fresh coriander.

Note to readers: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.

  • Debapriya Bhattacharya
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Debapriya Bhattacharya

    Debapriya Bhattacharya is a Content Producer at Hindustan Times. He started his career in 2022, working in newsrooms in beats like education, US news, trending stories, and entertainment. In his new role in the lifestyle desk, he seeks to deliver a balanced blend of research-driven reporting and creative storytelling from health and recipes to art and culture. Science, philosophy, food and pop culture are what pump his veins and help bring heart to his stories. Debapriya tries to see out subjects that will allow him and readers to explore new frontiers and improve the quality of life for all. The explorations can be both external and internal, as thoughts seek to be as chaotic as the greater universe. As a citizen of the world, Debapriya has been fascinated by the lives of people across the globe throughout time. His curiosity leads him to explore new linguistic and cultural landscapes to broaden his horizons and deepen his understanding of global narratives. Beyond the newsroom, Debapriya loves to participate in debate and theatre, spaces that he considers to be holy grounds for nuance and self-expression. A graduate from Ashutosh College, University of Calcutta, Debapriya completed his Master's degree from the same university in 2022. An ambiverted bibliophile, he loves his solitude as much as he adores stimulating conversations. And despite his reverence for tech, libraries continue to be his favourite place for research.Read More

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