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39 Protein Rich Foods For Pregnancy Recipes

Last Updated : 13 October, 2025


Protein Rich Foods for Pregnancy | protein rich Indian recipes  for pregnancy | 

 

Vegetarian High-Protein Foods for Pregnancy

 

During pregnancy, your body needs significantly more protein—at least 78 grams per day—to support the baby's rapid growth and prepare your body for childbirth and lactation.

This extra protein is essential for several vital functions: the rapid growth of the foetus, the enlargement of the uterus, mammary glands, and placenta, the formation of amniotic fluid, and building energy reserves for labour, delivery, and lactation. Furthermore, protein is crucial for developing the baby's strong bones and teeth, which begin forming around eight weeks. Therefore, make sure you consume adequate protein throughout your entire pregnancy, especially during the second and third trimesters, when your baby experiences the fastest growth.

 

moong dal dosa recipe | moong dosa | green moong dal dosa | South Indian moong dal dosa | The combination of moong dal with parboiled rice is said to be a good quality protein, as this combination gives all the 9 essential amino acids we need to consume. Green moong dal dosa is also a good source of vitamin B1 – a key nutrient needed for energy metabolism.

 

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4 major protein rich foods sources are:

1.  Dairy products like milk, curds, paneer, cheese and buttermilk.

2. Pulses and lentils like moth beans (matki), kidney beans (rajma), bengal gram (chana), etc. (Try sprouting them to increase the calcium and protein content, and ease digestion).

3.  Vegetables such as green peas, broccoli.

4.  Nuts and oilseeds like sesame seeds (til), almonds, walnuts, cashew nuts, etc.

moong soup recipe | whole green moong dal soup | healthy diabetic moong soup |  Chock-full of proteiniron and fibre, this healthy diabetic moong soup is made diabetic-friendly by using just a teaspoon of oil. Mung is rich in Folate,Vitamin B9 or Folic Acid helps your body to produce and maintain new cells, especially red blood cells.

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Protein Rich Snacks for Pregnancy

Moong Dal and Paneer Tikki are marvelous mix of moong dal and paneer with ragi flour and spices lends itself to the preparation of tasty, protein-packed tikkis that please the palate and maintain your bones cells.

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Multiflour Idli is easy to make and has a fabulous, rustic flavour and interesting texture that you will enjoy thoroughly at any time during gestation.

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When you are too lazy to cook on summer evenings try your hands on this quick and easy to make Fruit and nut milkshake, a perfect evening snack for pregnant women. With 7.7 gm of protein per glass, this energy and nutrient dense drink will surely boost the growth of the foetus.

 

Protein Rich foods for Pregnancy, Lunch Recipes

toor dal fry recipe | restaurant style toor dal fry | toor dal fry with rice | toor dal tadka |  We have used a combination of toor dal and masoor dal to give this restaurant style toor dal fry a perfect texture and mouth-feel. The dals are a good source of protein.

toor dal fry recipe | restaurant style toor dal fry | toor dal fry with rice | toor dal tadka |

toor dal fry recipe | restaurant style toor dal fry | toor dal fry with rice | toor dal tadka |

 

bajra and moong dal khichdi recipe | bajra and moong dal khichdi for pregnancy, PCOS, hypothyroidism, diabetes, heart | iron rich, protein  bajra khichdi |

 

During pregnancy, Bajra and Moong Dal Khichdi serves as a comforting, nutrient-dense dish that provides both ironand protein, essential for fetal growth and the prevention of anemia. The presence of iron-rich bajra helps in maintaining healthy hemoglobin levels, while moong dal adds easily digestible protein to support the increased nutritional demands during pregnancy. The use of ghee in tempering enhances nutrient absorption, particularly of fat-soluble vitamins and minerals. Additionally, turmeric (haldi) offers anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting benefits, and cumin seeds (jeera) aid digestion, helping expectant mothers deal with common issues like bloating and acidity. Its creamy consistency and mild flavours make it a good recipe to have especially in the preconception period and first trimester.

 


 

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Enjoy all our protein rich foods for pregnancy. Explore more varieties in our pregnancy section everyday

Pregnancy Iron Rich Foods Recipes

Pregnancy Calcium Rich Recipes

Pregnancy Fiber Rich Recipes

Pregnancy Vitamin A Rich Recipes

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