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P R O T E I N
What is protein?
Proteins are molecules made up of amino acids, which the body breaks down and absorbs in order to rebuild and repair tissues. Humans need about 20 amino acids in order to live, but our bodies can make most of them on their own. Eight of the 20 must be obtained by eating foods that contain them.
What foods contain those essential amino acids?
Nearly every animal food, including dairy products, meat, fish and poultry, contain all eight amino acids. However, since the body breaks them down and redistributes them, eating combinations of foods that have incomplete proteins has the same end effect. Combining legumes and grains in the same meal will give your body complete proteins; such combinations include tofu (a soybean derivative) and rice, or black beans and corn.
How much protein do I need every day?
Right now, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that protein make up 10 percent of the total calories you consume every day. Since protein has 4 calories per gram, in a 2,000-calorie diet, that would allow for 50 grams of protein. Meanwhile, the national average consumption of protein is about 90 grams daily. The only people who might have trouble getting enough protein in their diets are some vegetarians who do not eat any animal products, including eggs and milk. However, even they can get enough protein by consuming foods like lentils, tofu, nuts and peas, all of which are high in protein.
What if you don't manage to get enough?
Protein deficiency in children can impair growth. In adults, it can cause loss of hair and muscle mass.
Some foods high in protein
BEEF:
|
ITEM
|
SERV.
|
CALOR.
|
FAT
|
SAT. FAT
|
CHOLEST.
|
PROT.
|
ROUND, T0P, LEAN, RAW
|
1lb.
|
576
|
15g
|
5g
|
258.5mg
|
103.5g
|
ROUND, BOTTOM, LEAN, RAW
|
1lb.
|
653
|
25.5g
|
8.5g
|
267.5mg
|
99g
|
ROUND, TOP, RAW
|
1lb.
|
798.5
|
42.5g
|
16.5g
|
276.5mg
|
97.5g
|
CHUCK, ARM POT ROAST, LEAN, RAW
|
1lb.
|
589.5
|
20g
|
7g
|
272mg
|
96.5g
|
ROUND, TIP, LEAN, RAW
|
1lb.
|
562.5
|
17.5g
|
6g
|
272mg
|
96.5g
|
TOP SIRLOIN, LEAN, RAW
|
1lb.
|
589.5
|
20g
|
7g
|
276.5mg
|
96.5g
|
PORK:
|
ITEM
|
SERV.
|
CALOR.
|
FAT
|
SAT. FAT
|
CHOLEST.
|
PROT.
|
LOIN, WHOLE, LEAN, RAW
|
1lb.
|
648.5
|
25.5g
|
9g
|
267.5mg
|
97g
|
SIRLOIN (CHOPS/ROAST), BONE-IN, LEAN, RAW
|
1lb.
|
644
|
26g
|
9g
|
286mg
|
95.5g
|
TENDERLOIN, LEAN, RAW
|
1lb.
|
544.5
|
15.5g
|
5.5g
|
295mg
|
95g
|
HAM, WHOLE, LEAN, RAW
|
1lb.
|
617
|
24.5g
|
8.5g
|
308.5mg
|
93g
|
CHICKEN:
|
ITEM
|
SERV.
|
CALOR.
|
FAT
|
SAT. FAT
|
CHOLEST.
|
PROT.
|
MEAT & SKIN, FRIED BATTER
|
From 1lb. chicken
|
809
|
48.5g
|
13g
|
243.5mg
|
63g
|
MEAT & SKIN, ROASTED
|
From 1lb. chicken
|
425.5
|
24g
|
6.5g
|
156.5mg
|
48.5g
|
TURKEY:
|
ITEM
|
SERV.
|
CALOR.
|
FAT
|
SAT. FAT
|
CHOLEST.
|
PROT.
|
MEAT & SKIN, ROASTED
|
From 1lb. turkey
|
499
|
23.5g
|
7g
|
197mg
|
67.5g
|
MEAT ONLY, ROASTED
|
From 1lb. turkey
|
353.5
|
10.5g
|
3.5g
|
158mg
|
61g
|
SEAFOOD:
|
ITEM
|
SERV.
|
CALOR.
|
FAT
|
SAT. FAT
|
CHOLEST.
|
PROT.
|
GROUPER, MIXED SPECIES
|
1 fillet (259g)
|
238.5
|
2.5g
|
0.5g
|
96mg
|
50g
|
MACKEREL, PACIFIC & JACK
|
1 fillet (225g)
|
355.5
|
18g
|
5g
|
106mg
|
45g
|
SNAPPER, MIXED SPECIES
|
1 fillet (218g)
|
218
|
3g
|
0.5g
|
80.5mg
|
44.5g
|
SALMON, COHO, WILD
|
1/2 fillet (198g)
|
289
|
11.5g
|
2.5g
|
89mg
|
43g
|
HALIBUT, ATLANTIC & PACIFIC
|
1/2 fillet (204g)
|
224.5
|
4.5g
|
0.5g
|
65.5mg
|
42.5g
|
VEGETABLES:
|
ITEM
|
SERV.
|
CALOR.
|
FAT
|
SAT. FAT
|
CHOLEST.
|
PROT.
|
BEANS, KIDNEY
|
1 cup
|
612
|
1.5
|
45g
|
110g
|
43g
|
PEAS, CHICK
|
1 cup
|
728
|
12g
|
35g
|
121g
|
38.5g
|
BEANS, LIMA
|
1 cup
|
601
|
1g
|
33g
|
113g
|
38g
|
BEANS, SOY
|
1 cup
|
376
|
17g
|
11g
|
28g
|
33g
|
NUTS:
|
ITEM
|
SERV.
|
CALOR.
|
FAT
|
SAT. FAT
|
CHOLEST.
|
PROT.
|
BUTTERNUTS, DRIED
|
1oz.
|
173.5
|
16g
|
1.5g
|
3.5g
|
17g
|
PEANUT BUTTER, WITH SALT
|
2Tbsp.
|
190
|
16.5g
|
2g
|
6g
|
8g
|
PINE NUTS, PIGNOLIA, DRIED
|
1oz.
|
160.5
|
14.5g
|
1.5g
|
4g
|
7g
|
WALNUTS, BLACK, DRIED
|
1oz.
|
172
|
16g
|
1.5g
|
3.5g
|
7g
|
Source: USDA - Nutrient Data Lab (Sept. 1996) - all data rounded to nearest 0.5
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