New Delhi, March 27 -- Bengaluru/Mumbai: Restaurants and packaged food companies are stepping up their protein-rich offerings as consumers increasingly seek to balance health with indulgence.

India has seen a steady shift towards health-conscious consumption since the pandemic, prompting food companies to rethink nutrition delivery. According to the Indian Market Research Bureau (IMRB), 73% of Indian diets are protein-deficient, driving demand for functional foods: everyday products enhanced with added health benefits.

While whey and fortified packaged foods led the early growth of the protein-focused foods market, large food & beverage, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies are now embedding protein into everyday items-from b...