The Key Role of Proteins for Your Health
Our bodies rely on many different food sources to provide us with the nutrients we need to stay healthy. Protein is one of the key nutrients we need, as it plays an important role in helping our bodies to grow, develop and repair. We should eat protein as part of a varied and balanced diet, to get the necessary nutrition for our bodies.
Protein is one of three key macronutrients, the other two being fats and carbohydrates. Unlike micronutrients, which our bodies need in small amounts, macronutrients are nutrients required in large amounts to support the daily processes of our bodies. Macronutrients such as protein, are essential to the development of new cells as well as the restoration of muscle, skin and bones. Because our bodies perform multiple functions, we need enough nutrients from the right food sources, to support this.
Choosing a variety of different foods, helps to provide our bodies with the right quantity and quality of proteins. These can include plant-based protein sources such as pulses and peas or animal-based protein sources such as fish and lean meats.
Having a well-balanced diet that is rich in variety of plant-based proteins can help with the general maintenance of good health.
Why Are Proteins Important for Your Health?
Proteins are incredible nutrients that are important for the basic structure of our bodies. Our cells, organs, muscles, bones and connective tissue are constructed with the help of proteins. We also rely on protein to repair vital components that are necessary for daily functioning.
Foods can be either be a complete or incomplete source of protein. The difference between the two, is complete protein sources contain all the essential amino acids we need, and incomplete proteins have some but not all essential amino acids our bodies require.
As protein is a key component of every cell of our bodies, we should pay attention to the types of foods we eat to get the necessary intake requirement we need to maintain our health. If we don’t eat enough protein, we can become protein-deficient. Common signs of protein-deficiency can be seen when our hair and nails become weak or brittle.
Plant-Based Protein Sources
Plant-based protein sources are a healthy and delicious way to get your protein intake and a great alternative to animal-based protein. Pulses, nuts and seeds can provide us with good plant-based protein options, and can be used in many different recipes.
Combining different incomplete plant-based protein sources to get a complete set of essential amino acids is called - protein combining. By eating a variety of protein foods, it is possible to get all the essential amino acids your body needs.
Peas: A Good Source of Plant-Based Protein
Peas are a great natural protein source. They are delicious, protein-rich and versatile, which means you can add them to a number of different dishes to make tasty meals and snacks. Frozen peas make it even easier to get plant-based proteins in your diet, as they don’t require much preparation and you can add them to dishes, straight from the freezer.
Peas can also be combined with other plant-based proteins to create a complete protein. The good thing is, you don’t have to eat all your proteins together in one sitting to get all your essential amino acids. You can eat them during different meals in the day and your body still gets everything it needs.
Combine protein-rich peas with other good quality protein sources such as pulses or certain whole grains to enjoy the benefits of protein from a range of different foods.
This is a particularly good option for those on a vegan or vegetarian diet. A combination of plant-based sources can provide all the protein necessary for the healthy functioning of your body.
