Protein Nutrition

2000 Words4 Pages

Protein Protein is the basis for all life on Earth. Without it, nothing would survive. It is important for growth and development (Eltz & Zieve, 2013, p. 1). It can be defined as any of a class of nitrogenous organic compounds that consists of long amino acid chains that are essential to any living organism. Protein is mainly used to construct, maintain, and fix body tissues. Nutritional Value Protein can include different amounts of nutritive value. For example, plant protein has less nutrition than meat protein (Begeman, n.d., p. 1). This is vital in terms of a healthy diet, bulking, or being on diets. The amount of protein that a person consumes and absorbs will determine their overall growth. Everyone is different in terms of amounts of protein needed to be ingested, depending on the age, weight, height, and overall health. The simplified guide can calculate the rough dietary intake needed. For adult women, it comes to 0.75 g/kg. For adult men it comes to 0.84 g/kg. For adults over seventy years of age, it comes to around 1 g/kg (Deakin, 2013, p. 1). The nutritional value of a single protein is calculated by the number of essential amino acids that it is able to provide. Most animals and soy products contain all the essential amino acids. But plant proteins mostly have one missing. Health benefits Protein is considered one of the three nutrients that are able to provide calories to the body, with the other two as fat and carbohydrates. Proteins function as building blocks for bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood (US Department of Agriculture, n.d., p. 1). Even after that, they continue to benefit the body in terms of enzymes, hormones, and vitamins. Construction, maintenance, and fixation of body tissues highly de... ... middle of paper ... ...s upon grains, they are not serious pests (Jacobs, 1988, p. 1). Acquiring Mealworms Mealworms are harder to look for in the wild, so purchasing them with a couple dollars would be less difficult. They are sold in most pet shops and are typically in amounts of fifty, one hundred, or two hundred. Larger mealworms cost a little bit more, but are livelier and easier to observe. Large mealworms are treated with hormones so that they will not become adult beetles (UA, 1997, p. 3). Human Consumption Mealworms are edible for humans. In many third world countries, they are popular and marketed as a healthy snack that is filled with protein. Mealworms can be baked, fried, eaten raw, or steamed. Being reared on fresh oats and wheat brans are quite common as well as being sliced with potato, carrots, or apple. They have even been incorporated into tequila-flavored candies.

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