Protein
Macronutrients &
micronutrients Macronutrients
Micronutrients
Needed by the
body in large
amounts
Proteins, fats and
carbohydrates
Needed by the
body in small
amounts
Vitamins, minerals
Function of
Protein
Has all chemicals to make body grow
(mainly for children and pregnant
women)
Has all chemicals to help the body repair
damage after illness, accidents and surgery
Secondary source of energy for
the body
Maintains body to keep it working well, produ cing
enzymes for digestion, muscle activity, nerv e functions
and hormones, which regulates some body functions
Essential and non-essential
amino acids
Essential amino acids
Proteins are very large molecules and are
made of small units called amino acids
Non essential amino acids
Amino acids that can't be made by our bodies so
we must eat the proteins that contain them
The essential amino acids
needed by our bodies:
9
histidine
leucine
threonine
There are many different amino acids
that are joined together in different ways
and numbers to produce different
proteins
All other amino acids can be made
by our bodies from the protein we
eat.
There are of these:11
alanine
cystenine
proline
HBV Protien & LBV Proteins
High biological value (HBV) proteins
Low biological value (LBV) proteins
Foods that contain all the essential
amino acids
Sources:
Fish
Eggs
Milk
Meat
Cheese
Soya beans
Foods that contain only some
essential amino acids
Sources:
Cereals (rice, oats, quinoa,
wheat, millet)
Peas, beans (except
soya beans) and lentils
Nuts and seeds
Complementary
proteins/Food
combining:
If we combine LBV proteins in a meal, we
can provide all the essential amino acids for
our bodies
Examples:
Rice and dhal
Beans on toast
What happens if we eat too little
protein (Adults and children)
Adults
Children
Fat and muscle will be lost from body
Lack of energy
Hair and skin becomes dry
Cuts and bruises may be slow to heal
Weight loss
Infections will be caught easily
Fluid may build up under the skin (oedema)
Stop growing or grows slowly
Becomes paler or change in skin colour
Thinning hair or hair loss
Can't digest food properly, may have diarrhea
Easily catch infections e.g. colds
Low energy levels
Loses weight, becomes thin and weak
Builds up fluid under their son (oedema)
What happens if we
eat too much protein
Protein is processed by kidney and
liver, so too much protein will put a
strain on these organs
Put on weight as extra
protein is converted into
fat which is then stored in
the body
How much protein do we need:
Dietary reference
valves (DRVs)
The amount of nutrients a
person needs
Babies, children teenagers are still growing s o
will need more protein as well as doing other
things in the body that requires protein
Adults still need protein to help
their hair and fingernails grow
and for the body to repair
Pregnant women need protein to allow their ba by to
develop and women who are breastfeeding ( lactating)
need protein to make their milk.
