Protein Flashcards
Definition of macronutrients
Nutrients needed by the body in large amounts
Is protein a macronutrient?
Yes
What is protein made up of?
Complex chains of molecules called amino acids
Definition of amino acids
The smallest units of a protein
How many different types of amino acids are there in the body?
20
Definition of essential amino acids
Amino acids that cannot be made by the body so they have to be provided by the food we eat.
They are essential
How many essential amino acids (EAAs) do children need?
10
How many EAAs do adults need?
8
How are all the other amino acids (not EAAs) made?
They are made by the body from the protein eaten in other foods
What does a high biological value (HBV) food mean?
It contains all the essential amino acids
Examples of HBV food …
- Most of these come from animal sources (meat, fish, dairy product e.t.c)
- Soya (vegetable source)
For vegetarians what products are made from soya?
- soya mine
- textured vegetable protein (TVP)
- tofu
Is Quorn (the brand) a HBV protein and what is it made from?
It is HBV and it is made from mycoprotein
What are low biological value foods (LBV)?
Foods that do not contain all of the essential amino acids
Examples of LBV source of protein…
- cereals
- peas
- beans
- pulses
- nuts
- seeds
Definition of complementary proteins
Mixing/combining different low biological value (LBV) proteins to supply all the essential amino acids (EAAs)
Give some examples of diets that rely on combining LBV proteins
- vegetarians
- vegans
- people with a limited diet
Give examples of complementary proteins
- beans on toast
- dhal and rice
- hummus and pita bread
- these combinations provide all of the EAAs
What is the reference nutrient intake (RNI) of protein (in grams) per kilogram of bodyweight?
0.75g per day
How much protein protein would an adult need per day if he weighs 62kg?
62 x 0.75g per day = 45.5g of protein per day
How many grams extra of protein do pregnant women need?
6g
How many grams extra of protein do breastfeeding women need for the first 6 months and how many grams of extra protein do they need for the following 6 months?
- 11g per day in the first 6 months
* 8g per day for the following 6 months
What are the functions of protein? (5 things)
- used for growth, especially in pregnant women and children
- used to repair body tissue (after illness, accidents and surgery) - renewal of cell proteins for people of all ages
- enzymes viral for metabolism are composed of proteins
- hormones which regulate important bodily functions are composed of proteins
- proteins provide secondary source of energy. When the body has used all the amino acids it needs for construction, the remainder are ‘burnt’ for energy
Is protein deficiency rare in developed world?
Yes
What are the problems that come with protein deficiency? (4 things)
- in children, growth slows down or stops
- digestive upsets are caused as enzymes are not produced
- liver fails to function normally
- muscles become weak, so limbs are thin and tummy is soft and may look distended
Give examples of animal sources of protein
- all meats, such as poultry, offal and game
- fish
- cheese
- milk
- eggs
- gelatine
Give examples of vegetable sources of protein
- soya beans and soya products
- pulses and beans
- cereal grains and cereal products
- nuts
- Quorn
