Sixth Grade
Worksheets
Proteins
Nutrients can be grouped into six main groups. They are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. Proteins are needed for the growth and repair of body cells. This includes brain cells. You might say that eating proteins makes you smart! Proteins are made of amino acids. These are chains of building blocks for your body. Your body can produce some amino acids. Others, called "essential amino acids," must come from the foods you eat. Foods that contain all the essential amino acids are called complete proteins. All of these foods come from animals-fish and beef are two examples.
Foods that have only some of the essential amino acids are called incomplete proteins. Plant foods provide incomplete proteins. Even so, you can get complete proteins without eating meats. You can do this by combining certain plant foods with others. In this way, you can get all the proteins you need. Eating rice along with beans, for example, supplies complete proteins. Vegetarians are able to combine plant foods to get the needed proteins they need without ever eating meat. Proteins are found in meats, poultry, and eggs. Proteins .....
