7 day High Protein Diet Plan for Weight Loss (Downloadable PDF)

Introduction

Being overweight and obese is associated with many health risks. Shedding those extra pounds can enhance overall well-being and significantly reduce the risk of lifestyle disorders. This 7-day protein diet plan for weight loss offers a variety of protein-rich, fiber-dense, and low-carb meal options that are delicious and effective in helping you lose weight.

7 day Protein Diet Plan for Weight Loss

Here's a simple 7 day high-protein Indian diet plan with a free downloadable and printable pdf, emphasizing wholesome, protein-rich foods. This plan is based on typical Indian dietary preferences, focusing on vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 1: 1 bowl of vegetable upma with coconut chutney
1-2 boiled eggs or 1 cup roasted chickpeas
4-5 soaked pistachios
A few strawberries
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 cup paneer curry or chicken curry
1 glass of buttermilk
Mixed vegetable salad with lemon dressing
1 whole wheat or millet (ragi/bajra) roti
1 cup dal (any lentils)
Grilled veggies (capsicum, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots)
1 handful of roasted peanuts
Day 2: 3 millet idly with groundnut chutney
1 boiled egg or scrambled panner or tofu
5-6 walnuts (soaked and peeled)
1 cup papaya
1 chapati or 1 cup cooked millets (jowar)
1 cup rajma (kidney bean) curry
Salad with cucumber, carrots, and tomatoes
1 bowl of roasted makhana (lotus seeds)
1-2 grilled fish or 1 cup soy chunks curry
1 cup dal (any lentils)
Steamed vegetables (spinach, beans, zucchini)
Day 3 2 Moong dal (green gram)
chillas (with veggies) with tomato chutney
1 cup curd
1 orange
A handful of soaked walnuts
1 small portion of brown rice
1 bowl of chana dal or chickpea curry
Salad (lettuce, cucumber, and radish)
1 boiled egg or roasted chickpeas
1 handful of mixed seeds
1 grilled paneer/tofu/ grilled chicken
1 chapati or millet-based roti
Stir-fried broccoli and spinach
Day 4: 2 medium panner paratha
1 cup curd
4-5 soaked almonds
1 cup vegetable salad (lettuce, onion, tomato, capsicum, cucumber)
1 guava
1 bowl of basmati rice
1 cup masoor dal (red lentils)
1 bowl of cucumber, carrot, and sprouts salad
1 cup kala chana (black chickpeas) curry or fish fry
Stir-fried mixed veggies
1 cup curd with flax seeds
Day 5 3 scrambled eggs with 2 medium jowar rotis
1 apple
I cup veg salad
5 almonds (soaked and peeled)
Brown rice with Chicken curry or soya curry
Lady finger fry
1 cup of curd
1 Chicken or panner roll
1 cup sprouts salad
1 cup roasted seeds
Day 6 2 urad dal vada with coconut chutney
I bowl of vegetable salad
A few strawberries
2 medium rotis
Mixed veg curry or prawn curry
1 cup curd
Bitter guard chips
Sprouts salad
1 cup broken wheat and vegetable upma
Scrambled eggs or stir-fried panner
1 cup salad
Day 7 1 pesarattu (green gram dosa) with ginger chutney
Handful of nuts and seeds
1 bowl of fresh watermelon
1 cup vegetable pulao
1 cup raita
1 cup cabbage and cauliflower fry
Tandoori chicken/lamb
Grilled broccoli, cauliflower, panner, and carrot
1 cup curd with chia or sabja seeds
Save this chart for reference.
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High Protein Indian Food Chart

It can be challenging to meet your daily protein requirement on a high-protein diet as your protein requirements vary with age, body weight, body composition, physical stress, illness, and other considerations. For adults, the recommended dietary allowance for protein is typically 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. Below is a table outlining a high protein diet chart to assist in planning high protein meals. Incorporating these foods into traditional Indian dishes or snacks can help meet your daily protein needs while maintaining the flavors and diversity of Indian cuisine. 

Foods Protein
(100 g edible portion)
Pulses and Legumes
Bengal gram, black gram, green gram, lentil, red gram, etc.
22 g
Nuts and Oilseeds
Groundnuts, cashew nuts, pistachios, walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, watermelon seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.
23 g
Fresh Fish
Rohu, catla, Salmon, etc.
20 g
Dry fish 55 g
Meat and Poultry 20 g
Egg 13 g
Milk products
Cheese, khoa, paneer (Indian cottage cheese)
21 – 30 g

Tips for a High-Protein Balanced Diet:

A balanced diet helps your body function optimally, preventing nutrient deficiencies and promoting long-term health and well-being. A balanced diet chart provides sufficient protein and other essential nutrients, making it ideal for supporting muscle maintenance, weight management, and overall health. Here are some helpful tips for maintaining a high-protein balanced diet:

  • Plan your whole week’s menu and keep your dry and wet masalas handy. 
  • Ensure your diet includes a balance of healthy fats and complex carbohydrates to meet energy needs and overall nutrition.
  • Spread protein intake throughout the day to maintain energy levels and support muscle repair.
  • Combine animal and plant-based proteins for a full spectrum of essential amino acids.
  • Opt for protein-packed foods such as chicken breast, fish, eggs, lentils, and beans. 
  • Choose high-protein snacks such as Greek yogurt, curd, paneer (Indian cottage cheese), boiled eggs, or a handful of nuts and seeds.
  • Pair protein with fiber-rich vegetables like spinach, broccoli, and capsicum to support digestion and fullness.
  • Include healthy fats from avocados, nuts, seeds, olive oil, coconut oil, ghee, and fatty fish to enhance satiety and nutrient absorption.
  • Drink plenty of water to aid digestion and kidney function.

Conclusion 

This simple 7-day protein diet plan for weight loss is designed for a normal adult without any restrictions. Seek advice from a registered dietician for any modifications in case of health issues or dietary restrictions. 

The health goals app can be a valuable partner in your weight loss journey. It can track your fitness, provide personalized recommendations for better health, and motivate you to stick to your fitness and nutrition. 

FAQ’s 

1. How does protein help in weight loss?

Protein plays a significant role in weight loss by influencing several key physiological processes:

  • Increased satiety: Protein helps you feel fuller for longer periods. It stimulates the production of satiety hormones like peptide YY and GLP-1 while reducing ghrelin levels (hunger hormone). This reduces calorie intake and curbs cravings, making sticking to a calorie deficit easy.
  • Boosts metabolism: Protein has a higher TEF (thermic effect of food) than fats and carbohydrates, meaning your body uses more energy (calories) to metabolize protein. This increases overall calorie burn, contributing to weight loss.
  • Preserves muscle mass: A high-protein diet helps preserve lean muscle mass, which is essential for maintaining metabolic rate. 
  • Reduces appetite: Protein-rich foods reduce appetite, and prevent overeating, thereby stabilizing blood sugar levels.

2. Does eating only protein help you lose weight

While protein is essential to lose weight, eating only protein may not necessarily lead to healthy or sustainable weight loss. Eating only protein in the long run may cause nutritional deficiencies, low energy levels, fatigue, and health risks. Instead, a balanced diet that includes a variety of protein sources (e.g., lean meats, legumes, dairy), healthy fats (e.g., nuts, seeds, olive oil), and complex carbohydrates (e.g., whole grains, fruits, vegetables), can support weight loss while maintaining overall health and energy levels. 

3. How much protein per day is required to lose weight?

It is unclear how much protein per day is needed to lose weight.  According to a study, consuming 1.2–1.6g protein per kilogram of body weight/day, as opposed to the normal intake of 0.8 grams per kilogram, was shown to preserve lean mass and improve body composition during weight loss in individuals of various age groups. Another study recommends 2.2–3.0 g of protein/kg of body weight/day for resistance-trained athletes undergoing weight loss. Consult a registered dietician to know your protein intake recommendation and a tailored high-protein diet plan for weight loss especially if you have health issues like kidney disease.

4. How to add protein to dinner?

Incorporating protein into your dinner is essential for maintaining muscle mass, promoting satiety, and supporting overall health, especially if you want to lose weight or fitness goals. Here are several ways to add protein to your dinner:

  • Add a serving of dal such as moong dal, toor dal, or masoor dal to your meal.
  • Prepare dishes like chole (chickpea curry) or chana salad to boost your meal’s protein content. 
  • Paneer is a fantastic source of protein, and you can make popular Indian dishes like palak paneer, paneer bhurji, or paneer tikka.
  • Add eggs to your curry or eat in the form of a masala omelet. 
  • Use finely chopped nuts as a garnish for curries, pulao, or salads to boost protein intake.
  • Choose protein-rich main dishes such as grilled/baked chicken breast or fish. These provide high-quality protein and are excellent sources of healthy omega-3 fat. Add boiled or scrambled eggs to dishes like salads, rice bowls, or stir-fries.

5. Does protein burn fat without exercise?

Protein can support fat loss, even without exercise, although its effects are amplified when paired with exercise. Protein keeps you full for longer by lowering hunger hormone levels, speeding up your metabolism, decreasing appetite, and influencing various hormones that regulate weight.

About the Authors

Dr. Satish Madiraju, a renowned cardiologist is passionate about consumer heart health and is on a mission to prevent a million heart attacks. He shares his expertise not only on heart health but also on leadership, digital health, and improving patient experience.

Dr. Florence Suma is passionate about writing creative, clear and well-researched articles. With a Ph. D in Food Science & Nutrition, she provides reader-friendly articles that are reference-backed and adhere to the ethics of writing.
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