Complementary proteins are important to consider when a meal contains no animal-derived protein.
Vegetarians and vegans may be more familiar with the concept, but the fact remains that meals without meat are becoming more and more popular (see: meatlessmonday.ca, a movement that supports taking one day a week without meat to help the planet and our own health).
Let’s look a little closer
Complementary protein is based on the premise that vegetable proteins are not complete, meaning they lack certain essential amino acids.
Amino acids contribute to protein synthesis in the body. Sequences of tens – or hundreds – of amino acids are needed to create a protein.
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