For a long time, protein was something most Indians either underestimated or overcomplicated. Either it was found as powders in a gym bro’s bottle or as mysterious macro counts on expensive meal plans. But Swiggy seems to have picked up on that gap with its latest launch–a ‘High Protein’ category built right into its food delivery app. Here’s all about this new feature.
Swiggy Launches High Protein Category
Swiggy is playing for scale; the feature is now live across 30 Indian cities–from metros like Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi to smaller cities like Chandigarh and Nagpur. That covers everything from tech hubs to quieter semi-urban centres where eating habits are shifting just as fast. According to the press release, over 1.8 million customers have explored Swiggy’s new feature during its pilot phase.
Swiggy isn’t casually listing salads and slapping on a “healthy” tag. Dishes under the High Protein category must meet three precise nutritional benchmarks–
- They must contain at least 15 grams of protein per serving
- Have a calorie cap of 700 kcal
- should have a minimum 10% protein-to-calorie ratio.
That means you’re not just getting low-calorie food, you’re getting functional meals designed to actually fill a nutritional gap.
Commenting on the feature, Mr. Deepak Maloo, Vice President, Food Strategy, Customer Experience & New Initiatives, Swiggy said, “We believe that small, everyday choices shape long-term well-being. Proteins are an essential part of our daily intake. With the launch of the High Protein category, we aim to make high protein dishes more accessible to our users, in turn enabling better health and well-being. As food preferences evolve, we, at Swiggy, are committed to not just reflect those shifts but shape them by helping people discover what’s good for them, and still delicious. We will continue to partner with restaurants to further expand the range of High Protein food items available on the Swiggy app”
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The High Protein Feast Is Here
Swiggy clearly isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel with some ultra-premium offering. Instead, it’s focused on making everyday eating just a little smarter. And in today’s fast-paced world, that’s a game-changer—whether you’re a dedicated macro-counter or someone who orders dinner five times a week because cooking feels like a chore.
Product-wise, it’s simple to use. Type “Protein” or “Diet” into Swiggy’s search bar, and the High Protein section will appear. Within it, dishes are sorted by protein content, and filters allow users to pick protein sources like paneer or soya. Even while browsing regular restaurant menus, protein dishes pop up first.
Swiggy’s initiative is science-backed, too. According to a report from ICRISAT, IFPRI, and CESS, over two-thirds of households in India’s semi-arid tropics eat less protein than they should. Meanwhile, an Indian Market Research Bureau (IMRB) survey revealed that 73% of Indians are protein deficient, with only 10% consuming the recommended amount. What’s refreshing is that Swiggy isn’t dressing this up as some urban elite feature. Sure, metros like Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi lead in High Protein orders. But Chandigarh stood out in the pilot phase for its high order concentration, showing protein isn’t just a “big city” obsession anymore.
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Swiggy, which already partners with over 2.5 lakh restaurants and operates services like Instamart and Swiggy Dineout, isn’t just layering this on top of its existing model. It’s using its reach of 700+ cities and 5.4 lakh delivery partners to fold healthier options into everyday food habits.
Cover Image Courtesy: eloneo/CanvaPro
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