Delhi residents discover 3 top protein sources beyond meat

Delhi's clean eating movement has pushed plant-based proteins into weekly shopping baskets across South Delhi neighbourhoods, with sales of lentils and chickpeas rising at local vendors this summer.

The shift matters now because more office workers and runners prepare for the October winter season by adjusting diets after June heat waves reduced outdoor training at spots like Lodi Garden and Nehru Park.

Delhi markets and clinics supplying options

Shoppers at INA Market in south Delhi find split moong dal priced at Rs 85 per kilogram and fresh paneer at Rs 320 per kilogram on weekday mornings. The AIIMS nutrition outpatient department on Ansari Nagar East runs free group sessions on Tuesdays where dietitians list dal, roasted chana and soya chunks as daily targets for adults aiming for 50 grams of protein.

Participants at Nehru Park yoga groups on Saturday mornings often bring tiffins of chana masala prepared with local chickpeas bought from the same vendors.

Numbers behind the choices

A 2025 survey by the Delhi government food department recorded average household purchases of 2.8 kilograms of pulses per month, up from 2.1 kilograms two years earlier, with prices tracked through July 2026 showing stability around Rs 70 to Rs 90 per kilogram for most varieties at regulated outlets.

Traders at Khan Market report steady demand for packaged soya granules at Rs 110 for 500 grams from runners who train along the Lodhi Road stretch before heading to office.

Those new to these sources can start with a simple swap at the next market visit: replace one meat meal with a bowl of cooked moong dal and paneer cubes seasoned with local spices. Checking with a doctor at AIIMS or a neighbourhood clinic remains the first step for anyone changing intake levels.