Most people know that protein is an essential part of a healthy diet. Still, many don’t realize that different types of protein work best together. For example, whey protein is a great complement to casein protein. Whey is a fast-digesting protein, while casein is a slow-digesting one. When consumed together, they provide a sustained release of amino acids into the bloodstream. This can help you stay energized and preserve muscle mass during weight loss. So, if you’re looking for ways to boost your protein intake, consider pairing different types of proteins together. You may be surprised at how much better you feel!
Complementary proteins are two or more foods that together provide all the amino acids your body needs to build muscle. So how do you know which foods are complementary proteins? Keep reading to find out!
Which is an Example of Protein Complementing
Complementary proteins are two or more foods that together provide all the amino acids your body needs to build muscle. The best complementary protein foods are not always obvious choices, but they’re much easier to find when you know what to look for.
Many people think that milk is a perfect complement to beef because it provides calcium and vitamin D. This is true. Still, milk has another important property that beef lacks – it contains all nine essential amino acids! Beef contains only 8 out of 9 essential amino acids, so it’s no wonder why many bodybuilders choose to drink a glass of milk after their workout.
You may have heard from your gym teacher in high school that some proteins are better for you than others. For example, your gym teacher might have told you to eat lean meats like chicken instead of fatty red meats like hamburgers. This is because the process of making red meat (grilling or frying) can damage its amino acids and turn it into saturated fats that may lead to heart problems.
The primary source of protein in a chicken breast is the essential amino acid methionine. The primary source of methionine in a hamburger is cysteine, also found in chicken. This means that when you choose to eat red meats instead of poultry or fish, you’re not getting as much methionine, and therefore you need to eat more meat to get the same amount of protein.
Traditionally, complementary proteins have been used in third world countries where people only have access to a few foods every day. For example, when you go out for Indian food, you’re probably getting rice with lentils because together, they provide all the essential amino acids needed to maintain good health. In these countries, people usually consume one food at a time because they don’t have access to meat or dairy, so there’s no need for complementary proteins – they can simply eat their primary sources of protein together in the same meal.
But what about people in first-world countries who want to build muscle? Can complementary proteins help them too?
Yes! Complementary protein is a great way to reach your fitness goals.
Complementary proteins do their job better when they’re together, and the best complementary protein foods are not always clear choices. You may have heard from your gym teacher in high school that some proteins are better for you than others. Still, meat has another important property that beef lacks – it contains all nine essential amino acids! Beef contains only 8 out of 9 essential amino acids, so it’s no wonder why many bodybuilders choose to drink a glass of milk after their workout.
The best complementary protein foods are not always obvious choices. You may have to do a little bit of detective work to figure out which foods are complementary proteins, but it’s worth it! Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Look for foods that are high in protein and low in fat. This will help you stay lean and healthy while you’re trying to build muscle.
- Look for proteins that are low in methionine. Your muscles need all the help they can get to grow big and strong, so you don’t want to eat meat that may turn into saturated fat. The best complementary protein foods are ones without saturated fats or trans fats.
- When choosing complementary proteins, it’s important to keep sodium, fiber, and other food-related factors in mind. For example, rice is an excellent complementary protein because it’s high in methionine. Still, it also has about half the amount of sodium that red meats have.