food preparation and nutrition

• What is protein?

  protein is a type of macro-nutrient. A macro-nutrient is a type of food that we need lots of in our diet. Foods like eggs, chicken, salmon and milk all contain protein
• Amino Acids

  -Amino acids, which are sometimes referred to as the body's 'building blocks', make up proteins.

  -The human body can only produce some types of amino acids (non-essential) so we must eat the ones our bodies cant produce (essential)
• Uses of proteins

  -Growth: general body growth as well as the growth of specific body parts, like muscles, bones and skin

  -Repair: mending organs, muscles and tissues after we get ill or are injured

  -Maintenance: producing antibodies to prevent illness ad enzymes to help digestion

  -Secondary source of energy: if the body doesn't have enough carbohydrates and fats, protein can be used as reserve energy source
• High biological value (HBV) proteins 


  -Have all the essential amino acids that humans need

  -Mostly located in animal sources (like chicken, salmon etc.)

  -Soya beans also contain HBV proteins
• Low biological value (LBV) proteins

  -Don't contain all the essential amino acids that humans need

  -Only located in plant-based foods

  -E.g. cereals, pulses, nuts etc.
• Protein complementation

  -Protein complementation is a way of making sure that we get all the essential amino acids we need in our diets. It involves combining various LBV proteins

  -e.g. peanut butter and wholegrain bread are both lacking some essential amino acids. But a peanut butter and sandwich gives us all the necessary essential amino acids