India, May 12 -- T he role of protein in a healthy diet - vital for building and repairing tissues such as muscles, bones, skin and hair - is widely recognised. And with more people becoming fitness-conscious, demand for protein-rich foods has surged. Sensing this shift, food and beverage companies have increasingly begun adding protein to a wide range of products and marketing them as healthy food. However, not all protein sources deliver the same nutritional value. Taking to Instagram on Monday, fitness coach Raj Ganpath broke down five popular high-protein foods and drinks, explaining whether they are truly worth including in your diet. Protein bars are often marketed as an on-the-go protein source. But Raj describes them as a "candy bar with added protein and sweeteners instead of sugar". He explains that most protein bars offer around 10-20 grams of protein for 200-400 calories, which equates to roughly one gram of protein for 10-20 calories. However, he adds that they can still be "useful for people who are very active and have calories to spare, as an extra source of protein and calories". High-protein ice cream replaces some sugar with artificial sweeteners and added milk protein. But Raj notes it typically contains just two to five grams of protein for 80-150 calories, which is about one gram per 20-40 calories. He calls it "useful as a lower sugar dessert option and not as a serious protein source". In this version of the traditional drink, whey or milk protein is added to curd-based lassi, often alongside reduced fat and sugar. It typically offers 10-20 grams of protein for 80-160 calories; roughly one gram per six to 10 calories. Raj says it is "useful as a convenient snack, post-workout protein option or a dessert". These chips use whey, soy, pea or lentil protein instead of primarily starch-based ingredients. They usually provide 10-25 grams of protein for 200-500 calories, which comes to about one gram of protein per 10-20 calories. Raj says they are "useful for active people as a better alternative to regular chips, but still calorie-dense and easy to overeat." Essentially filtered milk with concentrated milk protein and reduced lactose, it offers eight to 15 grams of protein for 60-120 calories, making it highly efficient: roughly one gram per five to eight calories. The fitness says it is "useful for people struggling to get enough protein from regular food"....