MadSci Network: General Biology |
The foods which have the highest concentrations of protein are animal foods such as meats, eggs, and milk. Meats typically have about 7 grams of protein in 30 grams; an egg also has about 7 grams of protein, and a cup of milk has about 8 grams of protein. The next highest concentrations of proteins are found in legumes, such as beans and peas. These typically have about 7 grams in 1/2 cup cooked legumes. Grain products, such as wheat and rice, also have some protein (about 3 grams in 1/2 cup cooked product). These estimates are based on the American Diabetes Association/American Dietetic Association Exchange List system for meal planning (For more information, contact the American Dietetic Association at www.eatright.org. For more precise numbers than this, you can access the USDA food composition database at http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/ Once there, you can type in the name of a food and see how much protein or other nutrient the food has.
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