Amino Acids make Proteins

Our body creates protein by building small amino acids together. There are 20 different amino acids, some of which the body makes itself, while others must be obtained through our food. These are called essential amino acids. In order for our cells to make proteins, they must have all the amino acids available. This means that our diet must contain all the 9 essential amino acids. 

Here is an example:

Grains contain little of the amino acid lysine, and much of the amino acid methionine, while beans and lentils are the opposite; they are low in methionine and high in lysine. By eating grains together with lentils, the various amino acids complement each other and provide a complete protein. 

Earlier it was thought that all amino acids had to be combined in the same meal to give a sufficient level of protein. Today, recent studies show that a diet with a daily supply of grains, legumes, green leafy vegetables, fruit and vegetables, meet the need for complete protein without having to combine all the different amino acids in the same meal.