The Protein Content of Foods

The protein content of foods is a vital aspect of understanding nutrition. Food and nutrition aren't the same thing - the nutrition of foods can vary from food with tons of nutrition to foods with barely any nutrition (which we call "junk food").

Protein is one of the 4 nutrients that the body needs in order to run. The other 3 nutrients are fats, carbohydrate and water. These 4 nutrients are referred to as "macronutrients" - "macro-" means "large" and these make up the largest share of what the body needs.

Vitamins and minerals in the diet, also vital to a healthy body, are known as micronutrients - "micro-" meaning "small" and vitamins and minerals are required in smaller amounts than the macronutrients.

The protein content of foods varies depending on the type of food. Meat and eggs, for example, are almost entirely foods with protein, while vegetables and fruit, although having much less protein, are the best source of vitamins, minerals and enzymes. The nutrition fact label of all processed food has the protein content listed as one of the major nutrients and you will get a good idea of the varying amounts of protein, fats and carbohydrates in different processed foods by looking at the nutrition fact label.

A chart of protein foods is listing the amounts of protein content is available here at Wikipedia.org.

Foods with amino acids

Foods with protein are the same as foods high in amino acids because amino acids are the building blocks of protein. The body uses the protein content of foods to build and repair cells and tissues. Foods with amino acids (in other words, foods with protein) are the "raw material" that the body needs to grow and keep things repaired and running.

Proteins break down into substances called amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. There are 20 amino acids that the human body needs to function.

There are two types of amino acids - "essential amino acids" and "non-essential amino acids."

• Essential amino acids are called "essential" because your body can't make them. They need to be obtained from the protein content of food. There are 9 essential amino acids.
• Non-essential amino acids are called "non-essential" because it's not essential that you get them from the protein in food - your body is able to manufacture them from material that's in your body. There are 11 amino acids that the body can make with the material it has.

You may have heard the phrase, "high quality protein" and wondered what it referred to. It refers to sources of protein that contain all 9 essential amino acids. These are also known as sources of "complete protein." These kinds of food with protein are primarily found in animal sources, but it is not difficult to get all 9 essential amino acids when you combine foods that contain different non-essential amino acids, such as rice and beans.

The protein content of food is good to know when you want to make healthy choices for your diet!

Cheers,
BB

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