Protein Quality

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Protein quality: how well a protein gives us the amino acids we need

Complete protein:

contains amounts of ESSENTIAL amino acids in proportion needed by the body when used as a sole source of proteins

All animal proteins except gelatin (because it lacks tryptophan and lysine)

eggs

cheese

milk

meat/poultry

fish

soy

Incomplete protein:

lacking one or more essential amino acids or having poor balance of amino acids

Lacks Lysine:

Grain

nuts

seeds

Lacks methionine

Legumes

beans

Complementary proteins

legumes and grains are combined to compliment each other in what they lack.

Recommended protein:

RDA- 0.8 g/ kg of weight