POWERFUL PROTEIN

What is Protein?

• Protein is an essential nutrient.• Its name comes from the Greek word

“protos” which means “first”• Our bodies are about 20% protein.

Picture a chain of sausage links…

This is kind of like a molecule of protein.

Amino Acids

• Amino Acids are the building blocks of protein.

• Amino acids come in a long chain (like the sausages!)

• The links in the chain are called Amino Acids.

Which of these contain protein?

• Hair• Nails• Outer layers of skin• Muscle tissue• Bone (the rubbery

inner structure)• Bone marrow• Red Blood Cells

If you said, “all of them”…

You are a

How does my body use protein?

• To build new cells• Maintain tissues• Make enzymes that

do specific jobs such as digest foods.

• Create neuro-transmitters.

What happens to the Protein I Eat?

Your digestive tract can absorb only single amino acids or very small chains of amino acids called peptides.

Proteins in foods are broken into their component amino acids by digestive enzymes.

What is that called?

Protein synthesis, of course!

This is when other enzymes in your body build new proteins by reassembling the amino acids into specific compounds your body needs.

What happens if I don’t get enough Protein?

I think he’s getting enough protein!

You start digesting the proteins in your body, including the proteins in your muscles – and in extreme cases – your heart muscle.

Not All Proteins are Created Equal

While all proteins are made of building blocks called amino acids, not all proteins contain all the amino acids you require.

Essential vs. Nonessential

• You require 22 different amino acids.• About half of them are considered

“essential” (meaning you cannot make them in your body and you must get them from food).

• About half are “nonessential” (meaning your body can manufacture them).

High-quality vs. Low-quality Proteins

Proteins from foods of animal origin

That means meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products, are considered

HIGH QUALITY PROTEINS

These have similar combinations of amino acids as we do so they are

easier for us to absorb.

Complete vs. Incomplete Protein

• Another way to describe the quality of protein is to say it is complete or incomplete.

• A complete protein has ample amounts of all essential amino acids.

• An incomplete protein does not.

The Perfect Couple

• When you combine certain kinds of food you can turn an incomplete protein into a complete protein.

• We call this “Complementary Protein”

Can you think of some examples?

How about…

Rice and BeansWhen eaten together in one meal, the amino

acids in the rice and beans complement each other to make a complete protein.

And also…

Pasta with Cheese Cheese Sandwich

Or would you prefer…

Yogurt and nuts Pancakes (wheat and milk/egg batter)

Does learning about Protein

Make you hungry?

Don’t eat me! Me Neither!