Are there different types of protein?

Question

Yesterday I was told that I couldn't possible be getting all the protein I need from a vegetarian diet because there are various different types. Is there any truth in this, up until now I haven't read anything along these lines and I'm trying to go about it properly. Thanks for any information / links.

Answer 1

Yes this is a common problem for vegetarians. Basically: proteins are made up of things called 'amino acids'. Certain amino acids are less common than others and different types of food contain different amino acids. Meat protein contains amino acids that are easily used by the human body; amino acids from vegetable protein are harder to come by and less well metabolised, hence you need to eat a wide range of vegetable foods in order to get the 'essential amino acids' that the body needs.

It is possible to follow a veggie diet and get all the amino acids you need, however. This means you will need to include a lot of pulses (eg. lentils, chickpeas, beans) in your diet as these contain the amino acids your body is not getting from common vegetables such as zukini, tomato or cauliflower.

Consult a nutritionist if you're unsure about this, and have quick look on wikipedia to follow stuff up - you could start with this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amino_acid#Nutritional_importance

Good luck and happy eating!

Answer 2

Proteins are made up of amino acids and that's probably what whoever gave you this nonsense advice was referring to. There are eight essential amino acids and you can get every single last one with a balanced vegetarian diet. You can even get them all in one place (quinoa is complete protein.) Just eat a variety of sources of plant-based protein and you'll be fine. Most people eat WAY too much protein and it's not healthy (excess protein taxes the kidneys, irritates the immune system and leaches calcum from the bones.) One survey (the American Dietetic Association, I believe) found that adults vegetarians in the US average 151% of the protein they need... in other words, plenty!

Good sources include soy and soy products (tofu, tvp, edamame, meat analogs,) beans and other legumes (peas, peanuts, lentils, chickpeas,) whole grains and grain products, nuts and seeds, even green vegetables have protein.

Answer 3

In the first place proteins aren't absorbed whole during digestion, they have to be hydrolyzed into amino acids before they can be absorbed. Second, if a protein is resistant to hydrolysis it just won't get absorbed and will end up feeding the bacteria in your gut. The whole matter of protein metabolism is really complex and a good answer to your question isn't possible here.

Answer 4

in the body there are some proteins that can be synthesised and some that cant. the ones that cant are essential ones IE have to be consumed in the diet. whilst meat contains all of these vegetarian protein sources don't. this doesn't mean you cant get all the proteins you need from a vegetarian or vegan diet it just means you need to eat a wider variety. beans pulses fungi and nuts are good sources of protein. so eat a variety of those. if you are vegetarian rather than vegan you can also eat milk eggs and cheese as a source of protein.

Answer 5

This is true and not true. it is just alot harder to get them from a totally plant diet.
As someone said previously proteins are made up of amino acids as far as I remember form food chemistry lectures there are something like 24 essential amino acids they cannot be synthesised by the body so have to come from you diet now you can get them all from plant sources but you have to know what you are doing afaik soya protein is a good source for the essential Amoino acids so try to include some of that in your diet .

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Answer 6

Well, protein is composed of chains of amino acids. Animal foods do have all the essential amino acids (those our bodies cannot make and that we need to get from diet), while plant foods only have some. They are called "incomplete proteins."

HOWEVER. If you eat a balanced diet, and you eat a variety of foods, you don't need to worry about protein. In fact, most people, even veg*ans, get too much protein. Granted, veg*ans get less protein than omnivores, but excess protein is bad for your bones and can wreak havoc on your kidneys.

Answer 7

Have a look at this web site it answers this question very well. Im thinking of going vegetarian and wondered the same thing. You can get plenty of protein from plant sources, you just need to do your research. Look up that web site and I think you will find it will clear everything up.

http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/protein.htm

Answer 8

Eggs are the best source of protein because they contain ALL the essential amino acids, they should form a part of your diet but you shouldn't rely on them as your sole source of high quality protein.

Answer 9

animal protein and there is vegetable protein

Answer 10

yes i think so.