ADVERTORIAL
Protein’s
Important Role in your Diet
Your Body’s Protein Needs
Protein is essential for important bodily functions,
including growth, immunity, the constant process of
repairing worn-out cells and the body’s production of
enzymes—substances the body needs so that it can
digest and use nutrients from your diet. Protein is also a ������������������
source of energy. However unlike other sources of energy,
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protein is the only nutrient that can supply amino acids,
crucial building blocks for every cell in your body. ��������������������
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High-Quality Protein Foods
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If a food supplies high-quality protein, that food contains all
nine essential amino acids that the body needs to support
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growth and therefore it is considered a “complete protein.”
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If a food’s protein supply is limited in any one of the nine
essential amino acids, it is considered an “incomplete
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protein.” For instance, all proteins from animal sources are
complete, while most proteins from vegetables and grains
are incomplete.
Complete proteins are found in meat, fish, poultry, eggs,
milk, and soy. Egg protein is of such high quality that it is
Average Retail Cost of
High-Quality Protein Foods
often used as the standard by which other proteins are
(Cost per serving)
measured. Egg protein contains all the essential amino $0.80
$0.70
acids (building blocks of protein which the body needs but
$0.60
cannot make) in a pattern that matches very closely the
$0.50
$0.40
pattern the body needs.
$0.30
$0.20
$0.10
High-quality protein foods don’t have to be expensive. See
$0.00
the chart for suggestions for meeting your family’s proteins
Eggs Milk Chicken Chicken Ground Pork chop Beef
leg breast beef round
needs on a tight budget. Eggs are the least expensive high-
roast
quality protein food.
1
United States Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service. Retail data
Good food choices of complete proteins include skinless
for beef, pork, poultry cuts, eggs, and dairy products (July 15, 2009). Retrieved on
July 15, 2009 from http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/MeatPriceSpreads/
chicken, eggs, turkey cutlets, loin or round beef, tofu or
most types of fish. One large egg supplies 1.6g of saturated
fat along with 2.6g of unsaturated fat and 72 calories.
Enjoying an egg a day can fall within current cholesterol
guidelines, particularly if individuals opt for other low-
cholesterol foods throughout the day.
For more information visit www.enc-online.org
Egg Nutrition ad.indd 1 9/9/09 15:23:43
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