Protein is an integral part of a balanced diet. This makes the diet more effective. However, many Indians who are vegetarian find it challenging to include enough protein in their diet, often mistakenly assuming that some common foods are rich in protein when they may not be.
Nutritionist and weight loss coach Mohita Mascarenhas explains why many Indians believe that certain foods, such as sattu, lentils, chia seeds and some other sources, are high in protein, when in fact, they contain very little protein. It happens. They do not meet our daily protein requirements.
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Here are the foods she listed:
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Pulses or pulses are a major part of Indian cuisine, found in almost every plate and are often considered to provide adequate protein. But Mohita highlighted the actual protein contribution of pulses. “Most Indians believe that a bowl of dal is good enough to meet their needs, but a bowl does not contain more than four to five grams of protein,” he said.
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The nutritionist told that it is the same for dear Sattu. Sattu is consumed frequently among Indians. It is prepared from dry roasted grains and is also called roasted gram flour. According to nutritionists, many people underestimate its nutritional potential and consider it a protein powder. “Everyone thinks it’s some kind of protein powder, whereas a glass of sattu contains no more than five to seven grams of protein,” he said.
mushroom
Mushrooms seem like a great protein source for vegetarians. But this is a flawed misconception. Mohita addressed this and highlighted that vegetables are not good protein sources as 100 grams of mushroom contains only 3 grams of protein.
peanut butter
Peanut butter is a popular choice for increasing protein intake. The nutritionist also burst this bubble, as she explained the nutritional value of peanut butter and reminded her followers that both peanut butter and peanuts are better sources of fat than protein. “2 tablespoons of peanut butter will give you about 200 grams of calories and 10 grams of protein,” he said.
Almond
Some people may eat almonds thinking they are meeting their daily protein requirement. But it may be causing more harm than good as, as nutritionists point out, they are a better source of fat than protein.
Quinoa and Millet
Quinoa and millet are also popular health-friendly options that are on the rise and people are adopting them on a large scale. But are they rich in protein? Looks like the story is the same old. Mohita said that quinoa and millet contain the same amount of protein as wheat, which is about 13 grams per 100 grams without cooking. Therefore, in terms of protein, it is not much advanced than wheat.
protein bar
Protein bars generally claim to meet protein needs. But this also falls short because the reality is very different. The nutritionist reminded that protein bars contain more sugar than protein. He recommended protein powder in place of protein bars.
chia seeds
Chia seeds are a superfood and packed with nutrients like antioxidants, but what about protein? Mohita told that two tablespoons of raw tea seeds contain 4 grams of protein.
Nutritionists concluded that although these foods contain small amounts of protein, they should not be the sole source of protein because they are not sufficient.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
