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Proteins contain atoms of Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O), and Nitrogen (N)

Made up of long chains of amino acids connected via peptide bonds to each other.

most proteins are a few dozen to several hundred amino acids long!

Primary - Sequence of Amino Acids

Secondary - Hydrogen bonding of the peptide backbone causing amino acids to fold into repeating patterns

Tertiary - 3D folding due to side chain interactions

Quaternary - Protein consisting of one or more amino acid chains

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Protein is not only found in animal foods but in plant foods as well

In Australia and NZ, the major sources of dietary protein are:

33% from meat, poultry, fish

25% from cereals/cereal-based foods

16% from dairy products

8% from vegetables

FACT OR MYTH - Protein is only needed if you want to build muscle

NOT TRUE

Protein has a very important role a healthy immune system, developing antibodies, hormones, enzymes and regulating blood sugar - all integral processes for survival

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17kj/gram  = 4 cal/gram

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15 - 20% of total dietary intake
Women - approx 45-60g/day
Men - approx 65-80g/day

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Protein is an important part of a healthy diet;

our body uses amino acids to build and repair muscles and bones and to make hormones and enzymes.

also used as an energy source.

Proteins in foods do not become body proteins directly, instead they supply the amino acids that the body uses to make its own proteins.