why are animal protein batter than plant protein
Answers
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Animal foods are the highest quality protein sources. Plant sources lack one or more amino acids, which makes it more difficult to get all the amino acids that your body needs.
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Explanation:
Along with fats and carbohydrates, protein is one of the macronutrients we need to live.
Our bodies use proteins from food to build and repair tissues, as well as make hormones, enzymes, and other things that are vital to our health.
Read: Q&A: Vitamins and Supplements
Traditionally, meat has been thought of as our main source of protein, but there are plenty of diverse protein sources out there.
We talked to nutritionist Stephanie Cramer, administrative dietitian at Cedars-Sinai Clinical Nutrition Services, to help us understand the differences in protein sources.
Animal protein
Found in: meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish
Cramer: The human body needs 20 different amino acids. Our bodies create 11 of them (these are called "non-essential amino acids"), but we must get the other 9 from food (essential amino acids).
Animal proteins, such as meat, eggs, and milk, are complete proteins, meaning they provide all of the essential amino acids our body needs. Animal products provide the highest-quality protein sources.
On the flip side, several studies have linked red meat consumption to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and early death.
Further studies have shown that eating more processed red meat may actually increase the risk of dying from heart disease. Processed meats include smoked meat, sausage, hot dogs, salami, bacon, and canned meat.
Read: Healthy Grilling: Reducing the Risk of Cancer
Plant protein
Found in: beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, quinoa, leafy greens such as broccoli and kale, whole grains
Cramer: Certain plants can be excellent sources of protein, often with fewer calories and fewer potentially harmful effects than animal products.
Some plant proteins, such as quinoa, are complete proteins—which means they contain all 9 essential amino acids that we need. Others are missing some amino acids, so it is important to eat a variety of foods to get all 9.
Studies show that people on vegetarian or vegan diets (which often rely on plant protein) are at a lower risk of certain diseases including cancers, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and ischemic heart disease.
Whey protein
Found in: dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, whey protein supplements, hydrolyzed-whey infant formula
Cramer: Whey protein is a popular dietary protein supplement and one of the main proteins found in dairy products; it's a byproduct of cheese manufacturing.