Vegetarian Protein Push

Vegetarian Protein Push

A slew of new launches is helping vegetarians add the elusive protein element in their diets even while ensuring that it is as healthy as it is tasty. BINDU GOPAL RAO explores the growing mock meat market in India.

Mr. Siddharth Ramasubramanian, CEO & Founder Vegolution

Did you know that your body needs 60 grams of protein to meet its daily requirement? If your diet is plant-based, you might be struggling to meet your daily protein requirement. About 73 percent of India suffers from protein-based deficiencies while almost a considerable 90 percent remain unaware of their daily protein requirements. As a nation with a thriving vegetarian majority, the traditional Indian diet offers very little variety when it comes to plant-based protein options. Proteins not just have a high nutritional value, but also help in weight management and strengthen your immune system.

Plant protein includes pulses, tofu, nuts, seeds, soya, tempeh and seitan. Pulses like chickpeas, lentils, beans and split peas are also a source of plant protein.

Understand Plant Proteins

India’s first ‘Protein Day’ which was on February 27th this year to raise awareness around the numerous health benefits of protein had the theme ‘Power with Plant Protein’. So, what are plant proteins? Simplistically these are a source of protein which comes from plants. This includes pulses, tofu, nuts, seeds, soya, tempeh and seitan. Pulses like chickpeas, lentils, beans and split peas are also a source of plant protein.

New Vistas

There is a growing focus on mock meats that are cell-based. Technological advancements and the collective ecosystem will help in constantly improving product quality and making it economically viable, which in turn will help enable increased adoption of plant-based protein by conscious customers.

Health Factor

According to a report by Indian Market Research Bureau (IMRB) 93 percent of people are unaware about their daily protein requirements. Another challenge faced by vegetarians is the sheer volume of food that must be consumed in the form of pulses, seeds, nuts and vegetables to fulfil their daily protein intake. Plant-based proteins are a credible source of protein and can be easily incorporated into daily cooking to make home food protein rich.

Product Mix

“The products being offered are protein rich, 100% plant-based, tasty and have ready to cook ingredients. To top it up, they are highly versatile and can be a great addition for someone looking to make their everyday meal protein-rich. The products are also cholesterol free, trans fat free etc. apart from being cruelty free and highly sustainable for the planet, which is the need of the hour. Our products are made using soy protein and available in two variants: Evolved Alt protein is firm but has softer bite which is specifically developed for vegetarians who may not prefer a meaty texture, whereas Evolved Alt Meat aims to give the consumer similar experience as their favourite meat,” says Roma Roy Choudhury and Pradeep Rao, Founders, Evolved Foods. Tipping the Protein Scale

Plant-based proteins are a credible source of protein which can be easily incorporated into daily cooking to make home food protein rich.

Likewise, Bengaluru based food start-up Vegolution’s mission is to offer vegetarian food solutions to bridge the protein gap in India. They recently launched Tempeh in India for the first time under the brand name ‘Hello Tempayy’ to address this very protein gap issue. This is a super bean-based, easy to cook food that can be adapted across cuisines, meal occasions and cooking styles. Tempayy (also known as Tempeh or Tempe) is a delicious, nutritious, wholesome and 100% vegetarian protein-rich food made by fermenting the best quality non-GMO soybeans. “Tempayy is made with a controlled fermentation process and has protein, fibre and good fats. It is also a great food option for diabetics and helps in muscle gain and weight loss,” says Siddharth Ramasubramanian, Founder & CEO Vegolution.

Jackfruit Rules

The year 2020 has been a challenging one for each one of us and with the world coming to a standstill, there has been a complete reversal of what was considered to be normal. People now have become more open to trying new things and want to adapt to a healthy lifestyle. And to address this Goa based Wakao Foods decided to use the local superfood Jackfruit as its main ingredient. “We are the first Jackfruit (Vegan) Meat brand in the country. We process Raw Jackfruit into an altogether different avatar, proving the public ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook versions of this superfood. After a year of R&D we have developed a guilt-free Jackfruit product that recreates the texture of meat,” explains Sairaj G. Dhond, Founder and CEO, Wakao Foods.

India is a protein deficient country and there is a need to develop sustainable products that can meet the nutrition requirements of the growing population.

-G.-Dhond-Founder-and-CEO-Wakao-1
Sairaj G. Dhond, Founder and CEO, Wakao

Bollywood actor couple Genelia and Riteish Deshmukh have also announced their entry into this space with Imagine Meats, their plant-based venture. The couple who turned vegetarian, have said that they decided to launch the venture after they attended The Good Food Institute’s Good Food Conference in San Francisco. Plant-based food and diets are the big rediscovery in the health and wellness circuits and products in this space are certainly going to be the gamechanger for vegetarians.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Yuvraj & Yashraj Bhardwaj | Powering India’s Circular Economy

Twin brothers Yuvraj Bhardwaj and Yashraj Bhardwaj are the co-founders of Plannex Recycling, a Gurugram-based circular economy company transforming waste management through technology and innovation. Both entrepreneurs began innovating at the age of 14, filing patents and undertaking research projects long before launching their ventures. Today, while Yuvraj, Co-Founder & CEO, leads operations, technology, and execution, Yashraj drives strategy, policy, partnerships, and global expansion. Together, the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia honourees have built one of South Asia’s leading recycling platforms, processing over 500,000 metric tonnes of waste annually across 18 facilities in seven countries, proving that sustainability and scale can go hand in hand. 1. Tell us about your venture and how the idea first came to life. What made you decide to build it together as siblings? Yashraj: We’ve been building things together since we were 14, so becoming co-founders wasn’t really a decision; it was the natural next step. We saw India’s waste sector as a fragmented industry with enormous potential but very little technological intervention. While most people saw waste, we saw an opportunity to build infrastructure for the future. Yuvraj: Today, Plannex processes over 500,000 metric tonnes of waste annually across categories such as e-waste, PET plastics, batteries, tyres, and industrial waste, while creating employment for more than 2,000 people. Being twins gave us something every founder hopes to build: complete trust. We couldn’t imagine creating this business any other way. 2. How do your personalities and strengths complement each other? Yuvraj: Although we’re twins, we think very differently, and that’s our biggest advantage. I focus on operations, technology, and execution, making sure every facility runs efficiently and every process delivers on its promise. Yashraj: I spend more time on strategy, partnerships, policy, and investor relationships, helping Plannex expand globally. One of us imagines what’s

Pinq Polka: The Story of Manveen S Sharma & Mandeep Singh

Manveen S Sharma, CEO of Pinq Polka, brings over nine years of leadership experience across the automotive, mobility, and business sectors, with expertise in business strategy, operations, and customer-centric innovation. Alongside her is her brother, Mandeep Singh, Co-Founder, an entrepreneur with extensive experience in business development, sales, operations, and scaling businesses within the automotive and electric mobility ecosystem. Together, the sibling duo has transformed a simple consumer insight into one of India’s emerging women-first intimate wear and shapewear brands, combining strategic leadership with a shared commitment to creating products that prioritise comfort, confidence, and functionality. 1. Tell us about your venture and how the idea came to life. What made you decide to build it together as siblings? Manveen: Pinq Polka was born out of a personal experience. I often found myself buying women’s personal care products from abroad, because I couldn’t find the same quality in India. During a conversation with my brother, we realised there was a genuine gap in the market. Before launching, we spent months researching, speaking to women, testing products, and gathering honest feedback. That process confirmed we were solving a real problem. Building the brand together happened naturally; we trusted each other’s strengths and shared the same vision of creating products that genuinely improve women’s everyday lives. 2. How do your personalities and strengths complement each other? Manveen: I stay closely connected to our customers, spending time understanding their needs and translating those insights into better products. Many of our innovations have come directly from conversations with women who use our products every day. Mandeep: I focus on business strategy, partnerships, and sustainable growth. While Manveen leads product innovation and customer experience, I ensure we build a business that’s scalable and future-ready. We may approach challenges differently, but we’re united by one principle: never

Brick Brown Home Innovations: Meet Kirti & Yash Verma of Gurgaon

Sibling duo Kirti Verma and Yash Verma, founders of Brick Brown Home Innovations, are redefining modern living through thoughtfully designed home décor that blends traditional Indian craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics. Based in Gurgaon, the brand creates handcrafted solid wood storage solutions, organisers, and home essentials that celebrate functionality, sustainability, and timeless design. Yash Verma leads product innovation, artisan collaborations, and technology-driven operations, while Kirti Verma shapes the brand’s creative vision, design language, and business strategy. Together, they have built Brick Brown into a contemporary homegrown brand that seamlessly blends heritage craftsmanship with modern design. 1. Tell us about your venture and how the idea first came to life. Why did you decide to build it together as siblings? Brick Brown began with a simple belief that homes should feel warm, personal, and lived in. We wanted to create handcrafted wooden pieces that people would cherish for years instead of following short-lived trends. Building the business together wasn’t a planned decision; it happened naturally. Having grown up with similar values and design sensibilities, we instinctively understood each other’s way of thinking, making us natural partners. 2. How do your personalities and strengths complement each other? We bring very different strengths to the table, and that’s what makes the partnership work. I (Yash) focus on product design, manufacturing, and working closely with artisans to perfect every detail. Kirti leads branding, creative direction, storytelling, and business growth. One of us builds products worth talking about, while the other ensures their story reaches the right audience. 3. Has your sibling bond made entrepreneurship easier or more challenging? It has definitely made the journey easier because trust was never something we had to build; it already existed. One moment we’ll always remember is opening our own studio in Gurgaon. Standing in that space, we realised

Getting Sassiest: The Brand Making Sexual Wellness More Inclusive In India

In a country where conversations about sex are still low-key at dinner tables and turn school classrooms awkwardly silent, brands like Sassiest are changing the script, one meme, conversation, and pleasure-positive post at a time. From cheeky Instagram content and relatable humour to refreshingly honest takes on intimacy, confidence, and self-exploration, the brand is helping young Indians approach sexual wellness with far less awkwardness and a lot more openness. Mehak Walia gets sassy with Aishwarya Dua and Karishma Chavan, the co-founders of Sassiest. And honestly, that shift feels long overdue. For years, discussions around pleasure and desire in India have either been buried under shame or treated like something too scandalous to say out loud, especially when women are leading the conversation. Founded by Aishwarya Dua and Karishma Chavan, Sassiest is pushing back against that discomfort with a voice that feels warm, inclusive, funny, and unapologetically real. Instead of sounding clinical or preachy, the brand creates space for conversations around boundaries, body confidence, emotional well-being, and modern relationships in a way that actually feels relatable to today’s generation. For Karishma, the inspiration behind the brand came from noticing just how disconnected many women grow up feeling from their own bodies. “Most conversations around intimacy here are either hidden, judged, or purely medical,” she says. “Nobody was really talking about pleasure, confidence, self-exploration, or emotional wellness in a way that felt normal, safe, and relatable.” That silence, she explains, extends far beyond intimacy itself. Shame and conditioning often shape confidence, relationships, and even the way women exist in the world. “I wanted Sassiest to feel less clinical and more like a movement,” Chavan shares. “A space where women and queer people could feel seen without embarrassment.” Of course, building a sexual wellness brand in India came with its fair share of

You May Also Like

Connect with us