Protein sources beyond meat: a local guide

Boston shoppers bought 18 percent more dried lentils and chickpeas in the first half of 2026 than in the same period last year, according to sales figures from vendors at the Boston Public Market.

The increase tracks with new guidance from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health that recommends spreading protein intake across several smaller meals rather than loading it into one evening dish. Local runners training for the Boston Marathon have adopted the pattern because it supports steady energy on long runs along the Charles River Esplanade.

Two spots stand out for consistent stock and fair prices. The Boston Public Market on Hanover Street keeps 20-pound sacks of black beans and red lentils at $2.89 per pound, while the daily market on Newbury Street in Back Bay sells bulk almonds and pumpkin seeds by the quarter-pound scoop. Both locations also carry locally produced Greek yogurt from farms in western Massachusetts that delivers 15 grams of protein per six-ounce serving.

Legumes and grains at city markets

Staff at the Boston Public Market report that customers often combine lentils with quinoa from the same bulk bins to reach 20 grams of complete protein in a single bowl. Prices have held steady since January, with quinoa listed at $3.49 per pound. Several prepared-food stalls inside the market now offer lentil salads priced at $6.50 for a 12-ounce container, a figure that undercuts most nearby sandwich shops.

Harvard-affiliated nutrition workshops held every other Tuesday at the Smith Center on Western Avenue teach participants how to season these staples with local produce. Attendance has doubled since the program began tracking sign-ups online in March.

Nuts, seeds and dairy alternatives nearby

Walkers finishing the Freedom Trail often stop at the corner market on Beacon Street for roasted chickpeas sold in two-ounce bags for $1.75. The same store stocks cottage cheese from a Vermont cooperative at $3.29 for a 16-ounce tub, providing 24 grams of protein. MIT dining halls on Vassar Street have added overnight oats topped with sunflower seeds to their grab-and-go coolers, each portion listed at 18 grams of protein.

Shoppers who want to track intake can use the free portion guides posted on the Boston Public Market website, which list gram counts for every bulk item. Those guidelines suggest aiming for 20 to 30 grams at each of three daily meals, a target many locals now meet with a morning yogurt parfait, a midday bean salad and an evening lentil stew.

Next week the market will host a free tasting of spiced pumpkin-seed mixes from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Residents can pick up a printed shopping list at the information desk that matches items to nearby stores on Hanover and Newbury Streets.