Balancing nutrients is crucial when aiming for weight loss. Adequate protein intake is particularly important as it helps maintain muscle strength, keeps you full longer, and supports weight management on a low-calorie diet.
Here are some tasty, protein-rich summer snacks to assist in your weight loss journey.
Soybean chaat
Combine soaked soybean chunks with chopped onion, carrot, capsicum, green chilies, and coriander in a bowl. Add low-fat curd and sprinkle black salt, roasted ground cumin, black pepper powder, and chaat masala. Mix well to enjoy this spicy, protein-packed chaat. For extra flavor and nutrition, add pomegranate seeds or sweet corn
Moong dal cheela
Soak peeled moong dal for a few hours, then grind with green chilies, coriander, ginger, and cumin. Add salt and carom seeds (ajwain) to the mixture. Cook the cheela on a pan with half a teaspoon of olive oil. This soft, protein-rich cheela makes a tasty and healthy breakfast or snack.
Kala Chana Salad
In a bowl, mix boiled kala chana with soaked sprouted moong, chopped onions, tomatoes, cucumber, green chilies, coriander leaves, and beans. Sprinkle chaat masala, black salt, and lemon juice. This spicy salad is high in protein, fiber, and vitamins, keeping you full longer and aiding weight loss.
Soya kabab
Grind soaked soybeans and mix with boiled sweet potato. Add finely chopped green chilies, coriander leaves, black pepper powder, salt, cumin powder, coriander powder, and red chili powder. Mash well and form into kebabs. Cook in a pan with one teaspoon of ghee until golden brown on both sides. Serve with a curd dip for a delicious snack.
Chickpea vegetable sandwich
Grind boiled kabuli chana and mix with chopped onion, capsicum, sweet corn, salt, black pepper powder, and chaat masala. Grate carrots and add to the mixture. Spread this chickpea mix on multigrain or whole wheat bread slices. Add lettuce, top with another slice, and grill. Cut into halves and enjoy this low-calorie, protein-rich sandwich.
Why protein is essential for weight loss?
Protein is vital for weight loss due to its multiple benefits. It helps build and repair muscles, crucial for those losing fat and gaining muscle. Protein also has a high thermic effect, meaning your body burns more calories digesting it compared to fats or carbohydrates. Additionally, protein reduces appetite by lowering ghrelin levels, the hunger hormone, and increasing peptide YY levels, which makes you feel full.
