What is protein?
Proteins are a vital part of a healthy diet. Protein-rich foods include fish, meat, eggs and beans.
Your body uses proteins to make new cells for growth, and repair damaged tissues.
Sports nutritionists use knowledge about proteins to ensure their clients get the protein they need to repair damaged muscles.
What is protein?
Proteins are compounds made up of amino acid molecules. They are one of the three main food groups, and are needed by the body for cell growth and repair.
Protein-rich foods include fish, meat, eggs, milk and cheese. Beans and peas are also high in protein. Soya beans, for example, are the main ingredient of tofu and a range of meat substitutes.
How does the body use protein?
All cells are made mainly from protein. This means that your body needs protein to make new cells when you grow, and to replace old or damaged cells.
In digestion, protein molecules break down long chains of amino acids (peptides), to single amino acids. Later, your body joins amino acids together again, in the correct order, to make the new protein molecules it needs.
How much protein do you need?
You need to eat protein-rich foods every day. The World Health Organisation recommends that between 10% and 15% of your daily energy intake should be protein. For teenage girls, this is around 53 g of protein per day, and 72 g for teenage boys.
Who needs to know about protein?
Among the people that need to know about protein are nutritionists. They need to know how much protein people need, and which foods supply this protein. Sports nutritionists work with athletes to ensure they get enough protein to build and repair damaged muscle.
Protein quiz
Test your knowledge of protein with this quick quiz.
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