Healthy Protein Sources

Healthy Protein SourcesHealthy Protein Sources

Source: MyFoodDiary.com

Protein is necessary for building muscle and for the healthy function of cells throughout the body. It is recommended that adults get 10-35 percent of their daily calories from protein. That’s 50 to 175 grams for a person eating 2,000 calories daily. Whether you are a meat eater or a vegetarian, you can find plenty of high-quality protein options to meet your daily needs.

Complete vs. Incomplete Proteins

Proteins are made up of amino acids. The body can produce some of the amino acids it needs, but it must obtain essential amino acids from food. When a food contains all nine of the essential amino acids, it is called a complete protein. Animal-based foods such as meat, milk, and eggs are complete proteins. There are a few plant-based complete proteins, such as soybeans and quinoa.

The majority of plant foods provide incomplete proteins. This means that they are without at least one of the essential amino acids. This doesn’t mean you can’t get all of the amino acids you need with a vegetarian eating style. The key is to eat plant protein from varied sources.