Protein by Judy Martin Scranton High School 1. When it comes to energy they provide, complex and simple carbohydrates and protein are all created equal. 1 gram of protein = 4 calories. One gram of carbohydrate= 4 calories. However, proteins have unique building roles in the body.

Protein They are used mainly to help the body grow and repair worn-out or damaged parts. About 1/5 of your body’s total weight is protein. Your hair, eyes, skin, muscles, and bones are made up of proteins.

Protein The protein you eat help maintain them in good condition. Protein also regulate important body process. They play a major role in fighting disease because part of your immune system are proteins.

Protein 2. Proteins are found mainly from animal sources. Good sources are: meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products. Proteins found from plant sources are found in: dry beans and peas, peanuts, vegetables, and grain products.

Protein Excess amounts are broken down and stored by the body as fat. High protein intake can stress the kidneys as the body works to break down the extra protein.

Protein 3. Proteins are made of chains of chemical building blocks called amino acids. Your body needs 22 amino acids to work properly.

4. Your body can make all but 9 of the 22 known amino acids 4. Your body can make all but 9 of the 22 known amino acids. (Your body can make 13) * Note textbooks differ on these numbers. FYI--- The protein in egg has a biological quality greater than any other natural food. Egg protein contains all the essential amino acids in the exact proportions required by the body for optimum growth and maintenance of lean metabolically active tissue.

Protein 5. The amino acids your body cannot make must come from the foods you eat so these are called essential amino acids.

Protein 6. There are some foods that supply all 9 of the amino acids. They are meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products, and soy products. Soy beans are the only “plant” food that can supply all 9 amino acids. The foods that can supply all 9 amino acids are called complete proteins.

Protein Vegetables (plant foods) have only some of the essential amino acids but not all of them. (Except soybeans!) They are called incomplete proteins. Vegetables differ in the amino acids they contain. You should vary the vegetables you eat, so you can get all the essential amino acids. Especially if you are a vegetarian!!!

Quick Summary Protein is made up of chemical building blocks called amino acids. Your body needs 22 amino acids (depending on textbook). Your body can make all but 9 amino acids. The 9 your body can’t make are called essential amino acids. It is “essential” that you get these from the foods you eat. If a food has all 9 in it, it is called complete protein. (meat, fish, poultry, dairy, eggs, cheese) {animal products} Soybeans {plant} is the only plant food source that is a complete protein. Vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, peas, legumes are sources of incomplete protein. Incomplete protein has some (but not all 9) of the essential amino acids, so you should vary vegetables you eat.

Questions 1. How many calories per gram does protein have? 2. What is the main function of protein? 3. Proteins are found mainly in what food source? 4. What happens to excess protein? 5. What are the chemical building blocks that make up protein called? 6. How many amino acids does your body need?

Questions 7. How many amino acids can your body NOT make? 8. Where do you get the amino acids that you need, but your body cannot make? 9. The amino acids needed by the body that it cannot make are called? 10. Food that contain all 9 amino acids are called? 11. Food that contain only some of the 9 essential amino acids are called? 12. Name 3 food sources of complete proteins. 13. Name 3 food sources of incomplete proteins.

SCORING EXCHANGE PAPERS WITH A CLASSMATE AND SCORE HIS/HER ANSWERS.

ANSWERS 1. 4 2. They play a major role in helping the body grow and repair damaged or worn-out body parts. Help maintain the body. They also help fight disease and are part of your immune system. 3. Mainly food of animal sources. 4. Excess protein are broken down by the body and stored as “fat”. 5. Amino Acids 6. 22 (in our text book, 20 in some other textbooks) 7. 9 (in our text book)

8. From the food you eat. 9. Essential amino acids. 10. Complete proteins 11. Incomplete proteins 12. meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, milk, soybeans 13. Beans, peas, nuts, seeds, legumes, vegetables