Protein 101: What Is Protein?
Protein is one of the three big nutrients in food, along with carbohydrates and fat. It gives you energy (about 4 calories per gram), but its real job is building and repairing things in your body.
Protein is made of amino acids
Think of protein like a necklace of beads. Each bead is an amino acid. Your body uses about 20 of them. Nine are called essential amino acids because your body cannot make them, so they have to come from food.
What protein does for you
- Helps build and maintain muscle, skin, hair and nails
- Makes enzymes and hormones that keep your body running
- Supports normal immune function
- Helps you feel full and satisfied after meals
Where protein comes from
Animal foods like eggs, dairy, fish, poultry and meat contain all nine essential amino acids. Plant foods like beans, lentils, soy, nuts, seeds and whole grains count too. Eating a mix of plant proteins through the day gives you a full set of amino acids.
Protein powders are another option. Whey and casein come from milk. Plant powders often use pea or other plant proteins. Our Slow Churn Vanilla Ice Cream Whey Protein is a whey and casein blend, and our dairy free flavors like Vegan Brownie Batter are plant based.
The takeaway
Protein is a building block nutrient. You need some every day, and it is easy to get from both food and smart add ins.
Next up: Why You Need Protein
Sources
- MedlinePlus, Protein in diet
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, How Much Protein Should I Eat
- USDA MyPlate, Protein Foods
This article shares general nutrition information and is not medical advice. Everyone is different, so talk with your doctor or a registered dietitian before making big changes to how you eat, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, managing a health condition, or taking medication.