Saturday, April 12, 2008
Amino Acid Lesson

Amino acids are nitrogen-containing compounds that occur naturally in the body and are essential to good health.

Eight of the 20 commonly known amino acids are needed to maintain a healthy metabolism, promote tissue repair and growth, protect nerves and synthesize the protein needed to build lean muscle. Unfortunately, your body doesn't produce the essential eight. You must obtain these through diet.

Figures, right?

So what do you need to eat to get the essential 8?

Animal foods will contain all eight essential amino acids, but most plant foods lack in one or more. Meat in general is a good source of protein, with a full mixture of all the essential amino acids. However, it can be high in fat. Try to select lean cuts such as top round and sirloin. Poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds and legumes (dry beans or peas such as lentils, chickpeas and kidney beans) are also good sources of protein.

To give you an idea of the amount of protein you can find in certain foods, check out the following list:

1 cup milk…8 grams


1 ounce cheese…7 grams


1 ounce meat…7 grams


1 egg…6 grams


½ cup legumes…7 grams


2 tablespoons peanut butter…8 grams


¼ cup nuts…6 grams


½ cup cooked non-starchy vegetable…2 grams


1 serving of grain (1 slice bread, ½ bun, 1 c. dry cereal, 1 small muffin)…3 grams

And there's the lesson for the day. =o)

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8:03 AM
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