3 high-protein recipes nutritionists actually make for themselves

In the crowded arena of trendy macronutrients, protein is having a moment—front row, spotlight, centre stage. And while protein shakes have become the go-to, they’re not exactly what you’d call a headliner. Functional, sure. But fun? Not really.

Luckily, there’s more than one way to hit your protein goals without chugging drinks. From pulaos to hemp-laced desserts, these expert-approved high-protein recipes prove your macros can taste as good as they look.

Morning sunshine smoothie by Karishmma Chawla, functional medicine nutritionist and lifestyle educator

“I call this my ‘power punch’ smoothie—it’s packed with fibre, antioxidants, and supports gut and digestive health,” says Chawla. “Greens replace refined sugar and detoxify the liver, while fruits like blueberries and oranges boost cognitive function. Flax and chia seeds add healthy fats and help regulate hormones.”

Ingredients:

• Spinach
• Celery
• Chia seeds
• Flax seeds
• Blueberries or oranges
• Whey protein or hemp protein

Method:

1. Chop spinach, celery, chia seeds, flax seeds, blueberries, and oranges, and add them to a blender.
2. Give it a nice blitz and add water for better consistency.
3. Add in 1 teaspoon of protein powder or hemp protein*.
4. Pour it into the glass and enjoy.

*Poor gut health? Stick to vegan hemp protein. If dairy agrees with you, go for hydrolysed whey isolate.

Paneer or chicken quinoa pulao with vegetable raita by Samreedhi Goel, nutritionist and fitness expert

“It’s a one-pot dish that includes protein from two different sources,” says Goel. “You can add vegetables to it as well for colour, and vitamins and minerals. Vegetable raita has dahi, so one more dash of protein and probiotic along with fibre from raw veggies, which makes it a complete meal.”

Ingredients:

• ½ cup quinoa
• Ginger-garlic paste
• Vegetables of your choice — bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, French beans, capsicum, and corn
• A blend of Indian spices — turmeric, garam masala, chilli powder
• Protein — chicken or paneer

Method:

1. Soak half a cup of quinoa overnight and rinse it well the next morning to get rid of the bitter taste.
2. In a pressure cooker, heat two teaspoons of oil and add ginger-garlic paste.
3. Add vegetables of your choice — bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, French beans, capsicum, spinach, corn — make sure to throw in a good mix of vegetables.
4. Once the vegetables are semi-cooked, add Indian spices like turmeric, garam masala, and chilli powder and stir well.
5. Add the soaked quinoa to the mixture, close the lid, and let it cook for one to three whistles, depending on the quinoa.