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11.3: Sources of Protein

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    157783
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    The protein food group consists of foods made from meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, soy, beans, peas, nuts, and seeds. Animal protein and vegetable protein provide different nutrients for the body. They contain other vitamins and minerals as well as different kinds of fat. Protein-rich animal-based foods commonly have high amounts of B vitamins, vitamin E, iron, magnesium, and zinc. Seafood often contains healthy fats. Plant sources of protein contain a high amount of fiber. Some animal-based protein-rich foods have an unhealthy amount of saturated fat and cholesterol, so it is important to be mindful of how much of one source of protein you are consuming. It is best to vary protein sources to help the body receive an adequate diet of different nutrients.

    Examples of protein-rich foods like fish, poultry, lentils, and tofu.

    We cannot make essential amino acids in the body, so we need to get them in our diet. When a food item contains all nine amino acids, it is called a complete protein. Some examples of complete protein foods would be meat, quinoa, eggs, and soybeans. We can combine two incomplete food items to make a complete protein. Some examples are beans and rice, peanut butter on toast, and a salad with chickpeas and sunflower seeds. For more ideas with complementary foods, visit: https://health.bastyr.edu/news/health-tips/2019/05/what-are-complementary-proteins-and-how-do-we-get-them

    Essential Amino Acids

    NonEssential Amino Acids

    Histidine Alanine
    Isoleucine Arginine*
    Leucine Asparagine
    Lysine Aspartic acid
    Methionine Cysteine*
    Phenylalanine Glutamic acid
    Threonine Glutamine*
    Tryptophan Glycine*
    Valine Proline*
      Serine
    *Conditionally Essential Tyrosine*
    What are essential, nonessential, and conditionally essential amino acids?

    Directions: Fill in the blanks with the correct number of essential, nonessential, and conditionally essential amino acids. Then fill in the blanks with the definition for essential, nonessential, and conditionally essential amino acids.

    Fill in the missing words

    For amino acids, there are __________ nonessential, __________ conditionally essential, and __________ essential. The __________ amino acids need to be obtained from the diet and the __________ amino acids are those that our body can make ourselves. __________ amino acids are also those that are body can also make, but may need to be supplied through the diet in certain circumstances.

    Answer

    For amino acids, there are 5 nonessential, 6 conditionally essential, and 9 essential. The essential amino acids need to be obtained from the diet and the nonessential amino acids are those that our body can make ourselves. Conditionally essential amino acids are also those that are body can also make, but may need to be supplied through the diet in certain circumstances.

    Do You Know?

    Watch the video below, “From DNA to protein – 3D,” to help you learn the process of building proteins. The three key steps are:

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    11.3: Sources of Protein is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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