Protein is required in the body for growth and repair. Too much protein is used by the body for

energy or stored as fat.

Proteins

Proteins in the bodyDuring digestion proteins

are broken up into amino acids. These are absorbed into the blood stream and made into new proteins in the body.

Twenty different amino acids are found in plant and animal sources.

Thousands of amino acids may be joined together to make one type of protein. The body can make eleven amino acids. The remaining nine have to be obtained from protein in the diet. These are known as essential amino acids.

Sources of protein HBVEssential amino acids are

found in animal protein, soya beans and Quinoa.

These are called High Biological Value proteins.

Sources of high biological value protein are

Milk and milk based products

Eggs Meat fishShellfishSoya beansQuinoa

Sources of Protein LBV Proteins that come from

plant sources other than soya beans and Quinoa are Low biological value proteins. This is because they lack one or more of the essential amino acids.

If these proteins are combined in the diet like beans on toast your body can receive all the essential amino acids.

Sources of low biological value protein

Quorn Nuts/peanuts Pulses Rice cereals

Plant based proteins

Plant based proteinsare cheaper and quicker to produce.

Use less land for production than meat for one person

Can be stored very easilyExamples of plant based

proteins are Quorn, TVP, tofu, bean curd and Tiviall,

Quorn-is mycoprotein,which is related to the mushroom

TVP is made from soya beans

Tivall is made from what and vegetable protein

Tofu and bean curd are made from soya beans

Properties of plant-based proteinsPlant based proteinsAre-Versatile as they can be

bought in different formsAre bland so they can be

flavoured easilyFortified with vitamins

and mineralsColourless so colour can

be added easily during manufacture

Easy to storeCheaper than meat or

fishCan be cooked in many

different ways.

Who eats plant based proteins?People eat plant

based proteins because they-

Don't want to eat animals because of moral, religious or ethical reasons.

Want a more healthy lifestyle

Want a more varied diet.