Q & A - Protein in Nuts

QUESTION:


I guess I should increase my weight lifting training. I feel like I have some sort of thyroid problem or something. I'm trying hard, eating healthy, reducing my calories, I do cardio EVERYDAY; I hardly do any weight lifting though. I'll increase that and see what happens. I was told (in passing) by one of the nutrition professor in my university that nuts were not actually a real source of protein. I didn't ask her to elaborate, but that really surprised me. She said something about the quality of "nut protein" is not actually effective as the quality of...say egg protein. Whats the difference? And what's this quality thing she meant?   


ANSWER:  A protein molecule is a very complex unit made up of many amino acids.  Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and muscle. There are 20/21/22 ( depending on who you talk to they will say there are 20/21/22 different ones) different amino acids however they are not all created equal. Our body can create 12 of these amino acids; these are our non essential amino acids.  The rest of the amino acids that our body cannot create must be ingested from food; these are our essential amino acids. 


The proteins found in carbohydrate rich foods such as grains and legumes and fatty foods like nuts, contain proteins that are made up of many non essential amino acids (if our body already makes that amino acid why would we want to consume more of them.) This fact makes these foods an “incomplete” protein source on their own because they do not contain the proper amino acids to make a “complete” protein source(or a protein that contains essential amino acids).  Meat and dairy products however contain the essential amino acids that are required for a complete protein therefore they are more beneficial for humans to consume especially when exercising (because we need to repair damaged muscle tissue.)  Although meat and dairy are two of the few complete protein sources on their own you can create a complete protein source by combining different foods.  One major example of this would be beans and rice.  The combination of these two foods does create a complete protein source.

Tony isn't a licensed nutritionist yet, so he can't give anyone advice on what  to do.  Please consult your doctor for his professional opinion on a diet/nutrition program that will work for you.

Tony's blog is a journal of his experiences and what has worked for him.   He lists general guidelines and suggestions only.  He is NOT a professional.