Question

Worksheet 6-5: Plant Proteins in Human Nutrition-Myths and Realities Instructions: Some common myths regarding plant protein sources are listed in the table below. Fill in the right side of the table with the facts to counter each myth. Reality Myth Plant proteins are not complete; they lack certain amino acids. Plant proteins are lower in quality than animal proteins. Proteins from different plant foods must be carefully mixed and eaten together in the same meal. Plant proteins are difficult to digest. People cannot meet protein needs with plant proteins alone. Plant proteins are lacking in nutritional value because they are not balanced.

Answer 1

• plant proteins are not complete; they lack certain amino acids - all plant proteins are complete because they contain all the 20 amino acids that may be low in quantity but all are present.
• plant proteins are lower in quality than animal proteins - plant proteins are of as much quality as animal proteins because the quality depends on the dietary mixture of the plant proteins.
• proteins from different plant foods must be carefully mixed and eaten together in the same meal - the overall mixture of the proteins all over the day is important.
• plant proteins are difficult to digest - digestion of proteins depends on the source of food and the method of preparation of the food.
• people cannot meet protein needs with plant proteins alone - whether it is plant protein or animal protein, they have the same and adequate amount of protein for human consumption.
• plant proteins are lacking in nutritional value because they are not balanced - imbalance occurs due to amino acid supplementation.