Protein! March 12, 2013

Good Morning! 11/19/13 Today we are: Follow up on poultry lab Learning about protein Notes Protein hunt Thursday: Quiz on Poultry and Protein Next week: Thanksgiving feast?

Why is Protein Needed by the Body? Build and repair body tissue Maintain cell growth Especially important when growing Provide energy if there aren’t enough carbohydrates and fats available

Everyday? Yes, everyday! Constantly needed to replace worn out tissues Needs fresh protein every day Constantly needed to replace worn out tissues

What happens to protein? Eat too much, converts to fat Can take the place of carbohydrates and fats Converts to energy Can NOT convert back to protein once it becomes energy Carbohydrates and fats can not take the place of protein

Best Sources of Protein Milk Eggs Cheese Lean Meat and poultry Fish

Amino Acids Chemical building blocks from which new proteins are made 9 Amino acids essential to human health and nutrition Food has all 9 = Complete Protein Support growth and maintenance of body tissues All animal proteins are complete proteins Some plant sources are complete Missing some amino acids = Incomplete Protein Provide maintenance but not support growth

Complete Protein Examples: Supports growth and maintenance of body tissues All animal proteins are complete proteins Some plant sources are complete Examples: Red meat, fish, poultry Some nuts Milk products Germ of grains Soybeans

Incomplete Proteins Plant foods missing some amino acids = Incomplete Protein Provide maintenance but not support growth Examples: Legumes Dried beans Grains Peanuts

Variety is the spice of life Variety ensures you get all the amino acids Incomplete protein will be excreted by the body if not completed or unused Complete with another source Glass of milk Plants Extended by combining with plant proteins or carbohydrates

So, how much is enough? 2-3 servings per day Stored as fat and used for energy if there are no carbohydrates or fats If body isn’t getting enough: Lack of energy Stunted growth in children Lower resistance to disease Make sure you are getting enough protein each and every day!