Protein is required in the body for growth and repair. Too much protein is used by the body for energy or stored as fat. Proteins

Proteins in the body During digestion proteins are broken up into amino acids. These are absorbed into the blood stream and made into new proteins in the body. Twenty different amino acids are found in plant and animal sources. Thousands of amino acids may be joined together to make one type of protein. The body can make eleven amino acids. The remaining nine have to be obtained from protein in the diet. These are known as essential amino acids.

Sources of protein HBV Essential amino acids are found in animal protein, soya beans and Quinoa. These are called High Biological Value proteins. Sources of high biological value protein are Milk and milk based products Eggs Meat fish Shellfish Soya beans Quinoa

Sources of Protein LBV Proteins that come from plant sources other than soya beans and Quinoa are Low biological value proteins. This is because they lack one or more of the essential amino acids. If these proteins are combined in the diet like beans on toast your body can receive all the essential amino acids. Sources of low biological value protein Quorn Nuts/peanuts Pulses Rice cereals

Plant based proteins Plant based proteins are cheaper and quicker to produce. Use less land for production than meat for one person Can be stored very easily Examples of plant based proteins are Quorn, TVP, tofu, bean curd and Tiviall, Quorn-is mycoprotein,which is related to the mushroom TVP is made from soya beans Tivall is made from what and vegetable protein Tofu and bean curd are made from soya beans

Properties of plant-based proteins Plant based proteins Are- Versatile as they can be bought in different forms Are bland so they can be flavoured easily Fortified with vitamins and minerals Colourless so colour can be added easily during manufacture Easy to store Cheaper than meat or fish Can be cooked in many different ways.

Who eats plant based proteins? People eat plant based proteins because they- Don't want to eat animals because of moral, religious or ethical reasons. Want a more healthy lifestyle Want a more varied diet.