Download Protein

Protein
The body’s building blocks
Proteins main function
Build and repair body tissue
 Provides some energy


Protein is a food group in myplate and
includes meat, poultry, eggs, nuts, beans
and seeds

Protein provides 4 calories per gram
How often do we need Protein?
Daily! The body does not produce protein.
You must eat it.
 Keep meat and poultry portions small and
lean
 Include at least 8 oz. of seafood per week

Proteins are made of Amino Acids
Amino acids are the
building blocks from which
new proteins are made.
 The body cannot
manufacture essential
amino acids so they must
be obtained from food

Amino Acids
There are 22 different amino acids
 9 are essential for good health.

Complete Proteins
Any food that has all 9 essential amino acids.
 Complete proteins come from animal sources.

◦ Meat
◦ Poultry
◦ Fish

Exceptions:
Tofu, made from soy bean
Incomplete Proteins


Contain some but not all amino
acids
Comes from plants sources:
Grains
Dried Beans
Nuts
Seeds
Complementary Proteins
Complementary proteins are a grain
combined with any nut, seed or legume
 Incomplete proteins can be combined to
create complementary proteins

◦ Beans with rice
◦ Peanut butter with whole wheat bread