Proteins

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Proteins – a part of our diet

Carbohydrates (CHO)

Protein (PRO)

Fat

Protein

=

Your body is made of protein. Your body stores fat and carbohydrates

but does not store protein. Protein is made of amino acids, which

are like building blocks.

Amino Acids

Your body arranges amino acids to build the different proteins it needs.

- Muscles - Hair

- Nails - Skin

- Hormones - Cells

Amino Acids

There are 20 amino acids. It is easy for the body to make 10 of

these amino acids. Amino acids are made of similar

ingredients or elements: Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur. C

C

C

O

HCH

N

C

s

C

N

N N N

N

Oo

o o o

H H

Essential Amino Acids Eight amino acids are essential for

humans. They are tryptophan, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, valine, leucine, isoleucine.

Two amino acids are essential for children. They are alanine and histadine.

Your body can make the other 10 amino acids.

Essential Amino Acids Phenylalanine is used to make an amino acid

called, tyrosine. In a few cases, some people are missing or don’t

make enough of the enzyme to make tyrosine. This inherited disorder is called phenylketonuria

or PKU If it goes untreated, a person can suffer

retardation

Amino Acids

Body needs all eight essential AA Vegetarians must plan carefully to get

the essential amino acids

+ = Complete Protein

Protein Functions

Helps build muscles, blood, skin, hair, nails, and internal organs.

Helps the body grow & repair itself Helps fight disease.

Too Much Protein...

may mean too much fat. Over a long period, this can increase risk of heart disease diabetes and some types of cancer.

Too Much Protein…

may cause calcium loss.

No calcium in the diet? =

Too Much Protein... Means less carbohydrate intake to fuel

muscles. Your brain and eyes need a minimum of

100 grams of carbohydrates per day to work.

may overwork kidneys & lead to poor kidney function.

Protein Sources

All foods made from meat, poultry, fish, dry beans or peas, eggs, nuts, and seeds are protein foods. Dry beans and peas are part of this group as well as the vegetable group.

Protein Sources Animal Sources:

(Complete Proteins) Meat Poultry Fish Eggs Dairy Products

Plant Sources: (Incomplete Proteins) Dry Beans Peas Nuts Tofu

Grain Products

Protein in the Diet

Protein is a part of a healthy diet

About 15 – 25% of our calories should come from protein

Questions