We all want to maintain a healthy diet, but with the constant barrage of (often conflicting) information, it can be difficult to keep up with what we should and shouldn’t be eating at any given time. You might be wondering what complete proteins are, and which foods have all the amino acids in Poplar Bluff, MO. Here’s an overview of which foods are considered complete proteins, and why you need them as part of a healthy diet.

Why do I need complete proteins?

What are complete proteins? “Complete” proteins are foods that contain all nine of the essential proteins our bodies can’t produce on their own. There are 20 amino acids that are required to bond together to form protein. If you’re getting enough protein in general from food and/or supplements, you don’t need to stress over whether you’re getting complete proteins from specific foods—but it doesn’t hurt to incorporate them into your diet when you can.

We need all 20 of those amino acids, primarily to build muscle and prevent muscle loss. If you work out to build muscle, you already know the importance of getting enough protein—it fuels your muscles and allows them to build, which is the same concept.

Vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes and whole grains are considered “incomplete” proteins, meaning they have some but not all of the nine amino acids we can’t make on our own. They’re still a great part of a healthy diet, however, so don’t count them out.

Where can I get complete proteins?

Doctors recommend that you eat about 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight, but you may need more or less depending on your personal fitness, activity level and other considerations.

Good sources of complete proteins usually come from animals. Meat, dairy and eggs are excellent ways to get all nine essential amino acids—but you don’t need to worry if you’re vegetarian or vegan. Whole sources of soy, like edamame, tempeh and miso, are complete proteins, and as long as you include a variety of protein-rich foods in your diet, you’ll be getting the nutrition you need.

It’s important to remember that the human body can only absorb a certain amount of protein at a time, so space out your protein consumption throughout the day for best results.

Your doctor or dietician may also recommend that you take protein-related supplements, like BCAAs (a source of essential amino acids). These are also effective in helping maintain or build muscle.

In short, keeping your diet varied will do a world of good.

For natural and organic foods and health products, supplements and cosmetics, stop by The Bee Hive Natural Foods in Poplar Bluff. Our goal is to provide you with the tools you need to live a healthy life. Since 1979, we’ve been providing Missourians with superior products and friendly, knowledgeable customer service. Stop in or call today to learn more about what we offer and whether a particular product might be right for you. We look forward to seeing you soon!