wellness
Deira Residents Discover Plant Proteins, Dairy As Meat Costs Rise
Deira residents are shifting toward plant proteins and dairy alternatives as summer heat and rising grocery costs reshape daily meal planning.
How we reported this
More than 180 Deira residents signed up for the July 9 plant-protein tasting session at the Al Ghurair Centre on Al Rigga Road.
The interest follows a Dubai Health Authority notice issued last month that flagged higher demand for lighter, heat-friendly meals during peak summer temperatures above 42 degrees Celsius. Families report cutting back on red meat purchases while still aiming for 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, a target repeated in local clinic handouts.
Two neighbourhood programmes now supply the practical options. The Deira Wellness Collective on 19th Street runs weekly stalls selling pre-portioned lentil mixes and fortified oat drinks. The Al Maktoum Street branch of the Rashid Centre for Diabetes runs a six-week course that teaches participants how to combine chickpeas, quinoa and Greek-style yoghurt to reach complete amino-acid profiles without animal flesh.
A March 2026 Dubai Municipality price survey listed 500-gram packs of dried yellow lentils at 7.50 dirhams and 1-kilogram tubs of plain Greek yoghurt at 18 dirhams, both unchanged from the previous quarter. The same survey recorded a 14 percent increase in bulk chickpea sales across Deira souks since January.
Where to shop this week
At the Spice Souk on Al Sabkha Road, vendors sell 2-kilogram sacks of split peas for 15 dirhams and vacuum-packed tofu from a local supplier for 22 dirhams. The Deira City Centre hypermarket stocks 400-gram blocks of halloumi at 16 dirhams and chilled edamame pods at 11 dirhams per 300-gram bag. Shoppers on 19th Street can also visit the Deira Wellness Collective stall on Thursday mornings for recipe cards that pair these items with local dates and tahini.
Putting the sources to use
Residents who attended the Al Maktoum Street course report swapping one meat meal per day for a chickpea-quinoa bowl or a yoghurt-based smoothie. Those portions deliver roughly 25 grams of protein at a cost below 8 dirhams per serving. The next free tasting session is scheduled for July 17 at the same Rashid Centre location, with printed portion guides available at the door.