A coated paper stock having high moisture vapor barrier characteristics and ingredient compatible with recycling and repulping is disclosed comprising a substrate coated on at least one surface with a subcoat. The subcoat comprises a hydrolyzed amphoteric vegetable protein at at least 11 weight percent based on weight of the subcoat. A top coat is coated over said subcoat. The top coat consists essentially of a water-based dispersion of a film forming vinyl addition polymer, conjugated diene polymer or copolymer of either polymer, such as acrylic polymers, acrylic copolymers, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, styrene acrylate copolymers, styrene butadiene copolymers, polyvinylidene chloride and polyvinylidene chloride copolymers. The top coat is substantially free of mineral pigments that interfere with the moisture vapor barrier characteristics. The vegetable protein is preferably a hydrolyzed amphoteric soybean protein with an average molecular weight less than 400,000 Daltons.