2.3.1  Sources of protein

The main sources of proteins are meats, chicken, eggs, breastmilk, beans, ground nuts, lentils, fish, cheese and milk.

All animal foods contain more protein than plants and are therefore usually better sources of body building foods. However, even though plant proteins (see Figure 2.1) are usually not as good for body-building as animal proteins, they can become more effective nutritionally when both are mixed with each other.

Meat in butcher’s shop
Figure 2.1  Meat is a good source of protein. (Photo: Dr Basiro Davey)
  • Look again at the list of foods you wrote in Section 2.1.2. Which of these foods are sources of protein? Which of these food groups have good quality protein?

  • Beans, nuts, lentils, breastmilk, meat, egg, chicken, cheese and milk are sources of protein. Really good quality protein can be found in animal sources such as breastmilk, meat, eggs, chicken, cheese and milk.

2.4  Fats and oils