ProteinProtein

Protein BasicsProtein Basics The building blocks of protein are called The building blocks of protein are called

aminoamino acidsacids. . They are referred to as “They are referred to as “nitrogennitrogen

containingcontaining” because they contain nitrogen ” because they contain nitrogen (CHO and fats do not).(CHO and fats do not).

Protein foods are made of several Protein foods are made of several molecular chains of amino acids. Each molecular chains of amino acids. Each type of protein food has a different type of protein food has a different combination of amino acid molecules.combination of amino acid molecules.

Certain vitamins and minerals are often Certain vitamins and minerals are often necessary to “untangle” the amino acid necessary to “untangle” the amino acid chain and allow your body to use the chain and allow your body to use the protein.protein.

2 Types of Amino Acids2 Types of Amino Acids

EssentialEssential amino acids: amino acids amino acids: amino acids your body your body cannotcannot make. You must make. You must get these from your get these from your diet or fooddiet or food. . There are nine essential amino acids.There are nine essential amino acids.

NonessentialNonessential amino acids: amino amino acids: amino acids your body can make as long as acids your body can make as long as you eat foods with you eat foods with nitrogennitrogen. There . There are eleven nonessential amino acids.are eleven nonessential amino acids.

Both essential and nonessential Both essential and nonessential amino acids are important for proper amino acids are important for proper health.health.

Functions of Protein in the Functions of Protein in the BodyBody

GrowthGrowth and and maintenancemaintenance: proteins are : proteins are necessary to build and necessary to build and repairrepair tissue, tissue, grow new grow new skinskin, repair , repair woundswounds, grow hair , grow hair and and nailsnails, and make new , and make new bloodblood cells. cells.

Build Build enzymesenzymes: proteins help chemical : proteins help chemical reactions like reactions like digestiondigestion, tissue growth, , tissue growth, and release of and release of energyenergy..

Maintain fluid/mineral balance, pH Maintain fluid/mineral balance, pH balance in bloodbalance in blood

More Functions of ProteinMore Functions of Protein

Create and regulate Create and regulate hormoneshormones: proteins : proteins are one component of hormones that help are one component of hormones that help regulate the regulate the systemssystems of the body including of the body including blood sugar and blood sugar and metabolismmetabolism..

Create Create antibodiesantibodies: proteins made by the : proteins made by the body are necessary to body are necessary to destroydestroy foreign foreign substances and prevent substances and prevent illnessillness..

EnergyEnergy source: last choice of source: last choice of energyenergy for for the body. The body will take protein from the body. The body will take protein from musclesmuscles to regulate the heart, lungs, and to regulate the heart, lungs, and brainbrain when when carbohydratescarbohydrates or fat are not or fat are not available.available.

Protein Quality in FoodsProtein Quality in Foods

Complete proteins: provide all the Complete proteins: provide all the essentialessential amino acids, enough amino acids, enough nitrogennitrogen to to make nonessential amino acids, and come make nonessential amino acids, and come in foods with enough in foods with enough carbohydratescarbohydrates or fats or fats for for energyenergy. Examples: . Examples: meats, eggs, dairy, meats, eggs, dairy, soysoy..

IncompleteIncomplete proteins: low or lacking in at proteins: low or lacking in at least one essential amino acid. Examples: least one essential amino acid. Examples: legumes (peas and beans), grains, starchy legumes (peas and beans), grains, starchy vegetables, nuts, cabbage family vegetables, nuts, cabbage family vegetablesvegetables..

Complementary ProteinsComplementary Proteins

ComplementaryComplementary proteins: combining proteins: combining two incomplete proteins to make a two incomplete proteins to make a completecomplete protein. Example pairs: protein. Example pairs: rice (grain) + beans (legume)rice (grain) + beans (legume)peanutbutter (legume) + crackers peanutbutter (legume) + crackers (grain)(grain)sweet potato pie (starchy veg. + grain) sweet potato pie (starchy veg. + grain) poppyseed roll (seed) + (grain)poppyseed roll (seed) + (grain)green bean almondine (legume) + (nut)green bean almondine (legume) + (nut)succotash - succotash - corncorn (grain) + (grain) + lima beanslima beans (legume) (legume)

Protein DeficiencyProtein Deficiency

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM)Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM)– Ex: Kwashiorkor (protein only), Ex: Kwashiorkor (protein only),

Marasmus (total kcal deficiency)Marasmus (total kcal deficiency)– Adults—fatigue, weight lossAdults—fatigue, weight loss– Children—intestinal problems, infection, stunted Children—intestinal problems, infection, stunted

growthgrowth– Common in under-developed areas where protein Common in under-developed areas where protein

sources are scarcesources are scarce– Wealthy nationsWealthy nations

secondary to other issuessecondary to other issues Drug addictionDrug addiction

– Eating disorderEating disorder

Protein SamplingProtein Sampling

Protein Bars (contain NUTS)Protein Bars (contain NUTS) Hummus w/ pita chipsHummus w/ pita chips Mozzarella cheeseMozzarella cheese TurkeyTurkey Nutella w/ graham crackersNutella w/ graham crackers SoynutsSoynuts Peanut M&MsPeanut M&Ms Almond milkAlmond milk InsteadInstead of protein per serving, # foods highest to of protein per serving, # foods highest to

lowest in protein content (1= highest, 8= lowest)lowest in protein content (1= highest, 8= lowest)