Foods from plant sources usually provide incomplete proteins. Thus it is necessary to:
1) ?
take supplements.
2) ?
eat a variety of protein foods throughout the day.
3) ?
take lysine.
4) ?
get more exercise if you are a vegetarian.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is:
2) eat a variety of protein foods throughout the day.
Explanation:
Proteins are made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks that the body needs to build and repair tissues. There are 20 amino acids in total, and out of these, 9 are considered “essential” because the human body cannot synthesize them, so they must be obtained from food. The remaining 11 are non-essential, meaning the body can produce them.
Proteins from animal sources (such as meat, eggs, and dairy) are considered complete proteins because they contain all nine essential amino acids in adequate amounts. However, most plant-based proteins (found in foods like beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, and grains) are often classified as incomplete proteins because they lack one or more of the essential amino acids. For example, while beans are a good source of protein, they are low in methionine, and while grains like rice are rich in methionine, they are low in lysine.
This is where the concept of eating a variety of protein foods comes into play. By consuming a variety of plant-based protein sources throughout the day, a person can ensure that they are getting all of the essential amino acids in the right proportions. For instance, if someone eats beans and rice together, they complement each other’s amino acid profiles, making the overall protein intake more complete.
It is not necessary to take supplements (option 1) if a well-balanced, varied diet is followed. Lysine (option 3) is one of the essential amino acids, but it is found in sufficient amounts in various plant-based foods like legumes, quinoa, and soy products. Finally, getting more exercise (option 4) is beneficial for overall health but does not address the issue of protein quality in the diet.
Therefore, the best way to ensure an adequate intake of complete proteins from plant sources is to eat a variety of plant-based protein-rich foods throughout the day to ensure that all essential amino acids are consumed.